The Baltic Countries, as defined, encompass the Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which all were constituent republics of the former Soviet Union from 1940 until regaining their independence in 1991.
The countries all have coastlines to the Baltic Sea to their West. The Baltic Sea is possibly the largest body of brackish water in the world. As it is an inland sea, between Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland and the Baltic States, the waterflow between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea is small, meaning the countries around it are in a position to reduce pollution and make it a cleaner Baltic Sea.
What are the Baltic nations?
Estonia:
Is a democratic, parliamentary republic consisting of 15 counties with over 1500 amazing islands and a superb capital in Tallinn, also the largest city. With a population of 1.3 Million, Estonia is one of the least populated members of the EU, Eurozone and NATO and uses the EUR currency. Estonia holidays are ideal for true explorers, located between Latvia to the South, Russia to the East and Finland to the North. Virtually more than half of the teritory is covered by forest and reforestation has been occurring on a large scale since independence, making a trip to Estonia an ideal choice for a nature lover.
Latvia:
Latvia is nestled between Estonia to the North, Russia to the East and Lithuania to the South. Latvia has a population of 2.1 Million and originally became independent in 1918. Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union after the Second World War until its official independence in 1991. Latvia is a member of both the European Union and NATO and uses the Euro currency. Its capital, Riga, is the biggest city in the Baltic States.
Lithuania:
Lithuania also has a parliamentary democracy and is based to the South of Latvia, with Russia to the East and Poland and Belarus to the South. Lithuania has 3.2 Million inhabitants with Vilnius as its capital. Lithuania was the first country to declare independence from the Soviet Union. They are today members of the EU, NATO, the Council of Europe and also use the Euro as their currency.