Gallery
THE HARBOR OF TALLINNShowing the city of Tallinn (formerly, Reval), the capital of Estonia.
ESTONIA
HAT
At the beginning of the thirteenth century the Estonians were conquered by the Teutonic Knights. Under foreign rule the Estonians did not forget their liberty of older days, but kept alive a longing for national freedom, which persisted for the seven hundred years during which Estonia was under Danish, German, Swedish, Polish and at last Russian rule.
GATHERING MUSHROOMSThis big basketful of mushrooms will be dried for winter use.
The Swedish occupation of Livonia and Estonia (1629-1710) has been called the "good Swedish times" because Sweden did much to improve the condition of the Estonians although the German landowners were left in control of the big estates. Under Russian rule, however, the old German barons were allowed to oppress the people severely, and Russia made some brutal attempts to Russianize the people. Freedom came with the World War and after the Russian revolution. After her declaration of independence Estonia became a republic, although she was obliged to free herself from German and Bolshevist forces several times.
CASTLE RUINSLooking through the doorway of one castle to the ruins of another, on the tower of which a man is standing. This is inside the city of Tallinn.
The country is rich in natural resources, oil-bearing shale being the most important. The forests supply great quantities of wood for wood pulp. Agriculture is the chief occupation. If you were to visit Estonia you would probably recognize their plows and harrows because American farm machinery is one of the chief imports.
Tallinn, formerly called Reval, is the capital and an important Baltic port. Most of the time the harbor is free from ice. It is interesting in winter to watch the ice breakers in the harbor breaking out the ice so that the ships can bring their cargoes to the docks without waiting. When ships arrive at the docks great electric cranes swing the cargoes directly from the ships to freight cars or warehouses.
At Tartu (Dorpat) is the University of Estonia, founded in 1632 by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. This is the educational center of the nation. There are practically no adults who are not able to read and write. Ten per cent of the national expenditures goes for the advancement of learning. Narva, on the Russian border, is an industrial town. The rapids of the Narova River furnish power for the large cotton, flax and woolen mills.
The Estonians are particularly interested in art and music. Their song festivals have been a means of keeping alive the national spirit during the long years when Russia ruled the country. They have a rich store of folk songs and legends.
A PART OF THE ESTONIAN PIG INDUSTRYSeventy per cent of the people live on farms, and stock raising is an important industry. Estonia exports meat to England, Germany and the Scandinavian countries.
