More recently, Russia and the Baltic countries were part of one state. Now everyone goes their own historical path. Nevertheless, we are concerned about the economic, political and social realities of neighboring states. Let's figure out which countries are part of the Baltic states, learn about their population, history, and also follow their path to independence.

Baltic countries: list

Some of our fellow citizens have a reasonable question: “What countries are the Baltics?” This question may seem stupid to some, but in fact, not everything is so simple.

When the Baltic countries are mentioned, they primarily mean Latvia with its capital in Riga, Lithuania with its capital in Vilnius and Estonia with its capital in Tallinn. That is, post-Soviet state entities located on the eastern coast of the Baltic. Many other states (Russia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland) also have access to the Baltic Sea, but they are not included in the Baltic countries. But sometimes to this region applies Kaliningrad region Russian Federation.

Where is the Baltics located?

Which Baltic countries and their adjacent territories are located on the eastern coast of the Baltic waters. The area of ​​the largest of them, Lithuania, is 65.3 thousand km². Estonia has the smallest territory - 45.2 thousand square meters. km. The area of ​​Latvia is 64.6 thousand km².

All Baltic countries have land border With Russian Federation. In addition, Lithuania neighbors Poland and Belarus, which also borders Latvia, and Estonia shares a maritime border with Finland.

The Baltic countries are located from north to south in this order: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. Moreover, Latvia has a border with two other states, but they are not neighbors.

Baltic population

Now let's find out what categories the population of the Baltic countries consists of based on various demographic characteristics.

First of all, let’s find out the number of inhabitants who inhabit the states, the list of which is presented below:

• Lithuania - 2.9 million people;
• Latvia - 2.0 million people;
• Estonia - 1.3 million people.

Thus we see that the most large number population in Lithuania, and the smallest in Estonia.

Using simple mathematical calculations, comparing the area of ​​territory and the number of inhabitants of these countries, we can come to the conclusion that Lithuania has the highest population density, and Latvia and Estonia are approximately equal in this indicator, with a slight advantage for Latvia.

The titular and largest nationalities in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are, respectively, Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians. The first two ethnic groups belong to the Baltic group of the Indo-European language family, and Estonians belong to the Baltic- Finnish group Finno-Ugric language tree. The largest national minority in Latvia and Estonia are Russians. In Lithuania they occupy the second largest number after the Poles.

History of the Baltics

Since ancient times, the Baltic states were inhabited by various Baltic and Finno-Ugric tribes: Aukstait, Zeimaty, Latgalian, Curonian, Livonian, and Estonian. In the fight against neighboring countries Only Lithuania managed to formalize its own statehood, which later became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the terms of a union. The ancestors of modern Latvians and Estonians immediately fell under the rule of the German Livonian Order of Crusader Knights, and then, the territory in which they lived, as a result of the Livonian and Northern War were divided between the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Denmark, Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In addition, from part of the former order lands, a vassal duchy was formed - Courland, which existed until 1795. Ruling class there was a German nobility here. By that time, the Baltic states were almost entirely part of Russian Empire.

All lands were divided into Livland, Courland and Estlyad provinces. The Vilna province stood apart, inhabited mainly by Slavs and having no access to the Baltic Sea.

After the death of the Russian Empire, as a result of the February and October uprising In 1917, the Baltic countries also gained independence. The list of events that preceded this outcome would take a long time to list, and it would be superfluous for our review. The main thing to understand is that during 1918-1920, independent states- Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian republics. They ceased to exist in 1939-1940, when they were annexed to the USSR as Soviet republics as a result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This is how the Lithuanian SSR, Latvian SSR and Estonian SSR were formed. Until the beginning of the 90s, these state entities were part of the USSR, but among certain circles of the intelligentsia there was always hope for independence.

Declaration of Independence of Estonia

Now let's talk about a period of history that is closer to us, namely the period of time when the independence of the Baltic countries was proclaimed.

Estonia was the first to take the path of secession from the USSR. Active protests against the Soviet central government began in 1987. Already in November 1988, the Supreme Council of the ESSR issued the first Declaration of Sovereignty among the Soviet republics. This event did not yet mean secession from the USSR, but this act proclaimed the priority of republican laws over all-Union laws. It was Estonia that gave birth to the phenomenon that later became known as the “parade of sovereignties.”

At the end of March 1990, the law “On state status Estonia”, and on May 8, 1990, its independence was declared, and the country returned to its old name - the Republic of Estonia. Even earlier, similar acts were adopted by Lithuania and Latvia.

In March 1991, a consultative referendum was held in which the majority of citizens voting were in favor of secession from the USSR. But in fact, independence was restored only with the beginning of the August Putsch - August 20, 1991. It was then that the resolution on Estonia's independence was adopted. In September, the USSR government officially recognized the secession, and on the 17th of the same month Republic of Estonia became a plenipotentiary member of the UN. Thus, the country's independence was completely restored.

Establishment of Lithuania's independence

The initiator of the restoration of Lithuanian independence was public organization"Sąjūdis", founded in 1988. On May 26, 1989, the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR proclaimed the act “On the State Sovereignty of Lithuania”. This meant that in the event of a conflict between republican and all-Union legislation, priority was given to the former. Lithuania became the second republic of the USSR to take up the baton from Estonia in the “parade of sovereignties.”

Already in March 1990, an act was adopted to restore the independence of Lithuania, which became the first Soviet republic to declare secession from the Union. From that moment on, it became officially known as the Republic of Lithuania.

It is natural that central authorities Soviet Union declared this act invalid and demanded its cancellation. With the help of individual army units, the USSR government tried to regain control over the republic. In its actions, it also relied on citizens who disagreed with the policy of secession within Lithuania itself. An armed confrontation began, during which 15 people died. But the army did not dare to attack the parliament building.

After the August Putsch in September 1991, the USSR fully recognized the independence of Lithuania, and on September 17 it joined the UN.

Independence of Latvia

In the Latvian SSR, the movement for independence was initiated by the organization " Popular Front Latvia", which was created in 1988. July 29, 1989 The Supreme Council republics, following the parliaments of Estonia and Lithuania, proclaimed the third Declaration of Sovereignty in the USSR.

At the very beginning of May 1990, the Republican Supreme Council adopted the Declaration on the restoration of state independence. That is, in fact, Latvia, following Lithuania, announced its secession from the USSR. But in reality this happened only after a year and a half. On May 3, 1991, a referendum-type survey was conducted, in which the majority of respondents were in favor of the independence of the republic. During the coup of the State Emergency Committee on August 21, 1991, Latvia actually managed to achieve independence. On September 6, 1991, like the rest of the Baltic countries, the Soviet government recognized it as independent.

Period of independence of the Baltic countries

After restoring their state independence, all the Baltic countries chose the Western course of economic and political development. At the same time, the Soviet past in these states was constantly condemned, and relations with the Russian Federation remained quite tense. Russian population rights are limited in these countries.

In 2004, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were admitted to the European Union and military-political bloc NATO.

Economy of the Baltic countries

On this moment The Baltic countries have the highest standard of living of the population among all post-Soviet states. Moreover, this happens despite the fact that a significant part of the infrastructure remaining after Soviet times was destroyed or ceased to function for other reasons, and after the global economic crisis In 2008, the economy of the Baltic countries is experiencing far from the best times.

Most high level population life among the Baltic countries in Estonia, and the smallest in Latvia.

Differences between the Baltic countries

Despite the territorial proximity and common history, we should not forget that the Baltic countries are separate states with their own national characteristics.

For example, in Lithuania, unlike other Baltic states, there is a very large Polish community, which is second in size only to the titular nation, but in Estonia and Latvia, on the contrary, Russians predominate among national minorities. In addition, in Lithuania, citizenship was granted to all persons living on its territory at the time of independence. But in Latvia and Estonia, only the descendants of those people who lived in the republics before joining the USSR had such a right.

In addition, it should be said that Estonia, unlike other Baltic countries, is quite strongly focused on the Scandinavian states.

General conclusions

All those who carefully read this material will no longer ask: “What countries are the Baltics?” These are states that have had quite complex history filled with the struggle for independence and national identity. Naturally, this could not but leave its mark on the Baltic peoples themselves. It was this struggle that had a key influence on the current political choice of the Baltic states, as well as on the mentality of the peoples who inhabit them.

Despite all the external similarities of the Baltic countries in political, social and cultural terms, there are many historically determined differences between them.

Lithuanians and Latvians speak languages ​​of a special Baltic (Letto-Lithuanian) group of the Indo-European language family. The Estonian language belongs to the Finnish group of the Uralic (Finno-Ugric) family. Immediate relatives Estonians, from the point of view of origin and language, are Finns, Karelians, Komi, Mordovians, Mari.

Lithuanians are the only Baltic people who in the past had experience not only of creating their own state, but also of building great power. The heyday of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania occurred in the 14th-15th centuries, when its possessions extended from the Baltic to the Black Sea and included the bulk of modern Belarusian and Ukrainian lands, as well as some Western Russian territories. Old Russian language(or, as some researchers believe, the Belarusian-Ukrainian one that developed on its basis) for a long time was a state principality in the principality. Residence of the greats Lithuanian princes in the XIV-XV centuries. The city of Trakai, located among the lakes, often served, then the role of the capital was finally assigned to Vilnius. IN XVI century Lithuania and Poland entered into a union with each other, forming single state– Rzeczpospolita (“republic”).

In the new state, the Polish element turned out to be stronger than the Lithuanian one. Inferior to Lithuania in terms of the size of its possessions, Poland was a more developed and populous country. Unlike the Lithuanian ones, the Polish rulers had a royal title received from the Pope. The nobility of the Grand Duchy adopted the language and customs Polish gentry, merged with her. Lithuanian remained mainly the language of peasants. In addition, the Lithuanian lands, especially the Vilnius region, were largely subject to Polish colonization.

After the divisions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the territory of Lithuania in late XVIII centuries became part of the Russian Empire. The population of these lands is this period did not separate its destiny from its Western neighbors and participated in all Polish uprisings. After one of them, in 1832, the tsarist government closed Vilnius University (founded in 1579, it was the oldest in the Russian Empire, it would be reopened only in 1919).

The lands of Latvia and Estonia in the Middle Ages were the object of expansion and colonization by the Scandinavians and Germans. The coast of Estonia at one time belonged to Denmark. At the mouth of the Daugava River (Western Dvina) and other areas of the Latvian coast at the turn of the 13th century, Germans settled knightly orders – Warband and the Order of the Sword. In 1237 they united into the Livonian Order, which dominated most of the Latvian and Estonian lands until mid-16th century century. During this period, German colonization of the region took place, and the German nobility was formed. The population of the cities also mainly consisted of German merchants and artisans. Many of these cities, including Riga, were part of the Hanseatic League.

IN Livonian War 1556-1583, the order was defeated with the active participation of Russia, which, however, during further military operations, failed to secure these lands for itself during that period. The order's possessions were divided between Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. IN further Sweden, having become a great European power, was able to oust Poland.

Peter I conquered Estland and Livonia from Sweden and included them in Russia following the results of the Northern War. The local German nobility, dissatisfied with the Swedish policy of “reduction” (confiscation of estates into state property), for the most part willingly swore allegiance and went into the service of the Russian sovereign.

In the conditions of confrontation between Sweden, Poland and Russia in the Baltic states, the Grand Duchy of Courland, which occupied the western and southern part modern Latvia (Kurzeme). In the middle - second half XVII century(under Duke Jacob) it experienced its heyday, becoming, in particular, a large sea ​​power. The Duchy at that time even acquired its own overseas colonies - the island of Tobago in the Caribbean Sea and the island of St. Andrew at the mouth of the Gambia River on African continent. In the first third of the 18th century, the niece of Peter I, Anna Ioannovna, became the ruler of Courland, who later received Russian throne. The entry of Courland into the Russian Empire was officially formalized at the end of the 18th century after the divisions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Story Duchy of Courland is sometimes seen as one of the roots of Latvian statehood. However, during the period of its existence, the duchy was considered a German state.

The Germans in the Baltic lands formed not only the basis of the nobility, but also the majority of city residents. The Latvian and Estonian population was almost exclusively peasant. The situation began to change in the middle of the 19th century with the development of industry in Livonia and Estland, in particular with the transformation of Riga into one of the largest industrial centers of the empire.

On turn of XIX-XX centuries, national movements have been formed in the Baltic states, putting forward the slogan of self-determination. In the conditions of the First World War and the revolution that began in Russia, opportunities were created for him practical implementation. Attempts to proclaim Soviet power in the Baltic states were suppressed both internally and external forces, Although socialist movement in this region was very powerful. Supporters Soviet power units of the Latvian riflemen (they were formed by the tsarist government to fight the Germans) played very important role in years Civil War.

Based on the events of 1918-20. the independence of the three Baltic states was proclaimed, and then for the first time in general outline the modern configuration of their borders took shape (however, Vilnius, the original capital of Lithuania, and the adjacent region were captured by Poland in 1920). In the 1920s and 30s, dictatorships established themselves in the Baltic republics. political regimes authoritarian type. The socio-economic situation of the three new states was unstable, which led, in particular, to significant labor migration to Western countries.

The Baltic (Baltic) countries include three former Soviet republics, not included in the CIS - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. All of them are unitary republics. In 2004, all three Baltic countries joined NATO and European Union.
Baltic countries
Table 38

A special feature of the geographical location of the Baltic countries is their access to the Baltic Sea and their neighboring position with the Russian Federation. In the south, the Baltic countries border on Belarus (Latvia and Lithuania) and Poland (Lithuania). The countries of the region have very important political geographical position and favorable economic and geographical location.
Countries in the region are very poor mineral resources. Among fuel resources peat is present everywhere. The “richest” among the Baltic countries is Estonia, which has reserves of oil shale (Kohtla-Jarve) and phosphorites (Maardu). Latvia (Brocene) stands out for its limestone reserves. Famous springs mineral waters: in Latvia Baldone and Valmiera, in Lithuania - Druskininkai, Birštonas and Pabiře. in Estonia - Häädemeeste. The main wealth of the Baltic states is fish and recreational resources.
In terms of population, the Baltic countries are among the small countries of Europe (see table 38). The population is distributed relatively evenly, and only on the coast the population density increases slightly.
All countries in the region are dominated by modern type reproduction, and everywhere the mortality rate exceeds the birth rate. The natural population decline is especially high in Latvia (-5%o) and Estonia (-4%o).
The gender composition, as in most European countries, is dominated by the female population. By age composition The population of the Baltic countries can be classified as an “aging nation”: in Estonia and Latvia, the share of pensioners exceeds the share of children, and only in Lithuania are these indicators equal.
All Baltic countries have a multinational population, and only in Lithuania do Lithuanians make up the absolute majority of the population - 82%, while in Latvia Latvians account for only 55% of the republic's population. In addition to indigenous peoples, there are many so-called Russian-speaking people living in the Baltic states: Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and in Lithuania, Poles. The largest share of Russians is in Latvia (30%) and Estonia (28%), but it is in these countries that the problem of respecting the rights of the Russian-speaking population is most acute.
Estonians and Latvians are Protestants by religion, while Lithuanians and Poles are Catholics. The majority of the believing Russian-speaking population considers themselves Orthodox.
The Baltic states are characterized by a high level of urbanization: from 67% in Lithuania to 72% in Estonia, but there are no millionaire cities. Largest city Each republic has its capital. Among other cities, it should be noted in Estonia - Tartu, in Latvia - Daugavpils, Jurmala and Liepaja, in Lithuania - Kaunas, Klaipeda and Siauliai.
Employment structure of the population of the Baltic countries
Table 39

The Baltic countries are provided with highly qualified labor resources. Most of of the population of the countries in the region is employed in the non-productive sector (see table 39).
In all the Baltic countries, emigration of the population predominates: the Russian-speaking population goes to Russia, Estonians to Finland, Latvians and Lithuanians to Germany and the USA.
After the collapse of the USSR, the economic structure and specialization of the Baltic countries changed significantly: the predominance of the manufacturing industry was replaced by the predominance of the service sector, and some branches of precision and transport engineering, light industry, in which the Baltic countries specialized, have practically disappeared. At the same time, the importance has increased Agriculture and food industry.
Electric power industry is of secondary importance in the region (with 83% of Lithuania’s electricity supplied by the largest in Europe Ignalina
NPP), ferrous metallurgy, represented by the only center of pigment metallurgy in Liepaja (Latvia).
The branches of industrial specialization of the modern Baltic include: Precision engineering, especially the electrical industry - the production of radio equipment in Estonia (Tallinn), Latvia (Riga) and Lithuania (Kaunas), televisions (Šiauliai) and refrigerators (Vilnius) in Lithuania; machine tool building in Lithuania (Vilnius) and ship repair in Latvia (Riga) and Lithuania (Klaipeda). Developed in Soviet time in Latvia, transport engineering (production of electric trains and minibuses) has practically ceased to exist; Chemical industry: production of mineral fertilizers (Maardu and Kohtla-Jarve in Estonia, Ventspils in Latvia and Jonava in Lithuania), production of chemical fibers (Daugavpils in Latvia and Vilnius in Lithuania), perfume industry (Riga in Latvia) and household chemicals (Tallinn in Estonia and Daugavpils in Latvia); Forestry industry, especially furniture and pulp and paper (Tallinn, Tartu and Narva in Estonia, Riga and Jurmala in Latvia, Vilnius and Klaipeda in Lithuania); Light industry: textile (Tallinn and Narva in Estonia, Riga in Latvia, Kaunas and Panevezys in Lithuania), clothing (Tallinn and Riga), knitwear (Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius) and footwear industry (Vilnius and Siachiuliai in Lithuania); Food industry, in which dairy and fish play a special role (Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Riga, Liepaja, Klaipeda, Vilnius).
The Baltic countries are characterized by the development of intensive agriculture with a predominance of livestock farming, where dairy cattle breeding and pig breeding play a leading role. Almost half of the cultivated area is occupied by fodder crops. Rye, barley, potatoes, vegetables, flax are grown everywhere, and in Latvia and Lithuania - sugar beets. Lithuania stands out among the Baltic countries in terms of agricultural production volume.
The Baltic countries are characterized by a high level of development transport system: where road, rail, pipeline and marine species transport. The largest seaports regions are Tallinn and Pärnu - in Estonia; Riga, Ventspils (oil tanker), Liepaja - in Latvia and Klaipeda - in Lithuania. Estonia has a ferry connection with Finland (Tallinn - Helsinki), and Lithuania with Germany (Klaipeda - Mukran).
Among non-production sectors special meaning has a recreational facility. The main tourist and recreational centers of the Baltic states are Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu - in Estonia;
Riga, Jurmala, Tukums and Baldone - in Latvia; Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, Trakai, Druskininkai and Birštonas are in Lithuania.
The main foreign economic partners of the Baltic states are the countries Western Europe(especially Finland, Sweden and Germany), as well as Russia, and a reorientation is clearly observed foreign trade to Western countries.
The Baltic countries export instruments, radio and electrical equipment, communications, perfumes, household chemicals, forestry, light, dairy and fishing industry.
Imports are dominated by fuel (oil, gas, coal), industrial raw materials (ferrous and non-ferrous metals, apatite, cotton), vehicles, and consumer goods.
Questions and assignments Give an economic and geographical description of the Baltic states. Name the factors that determine the specialization of the economy of the Baltic countries. Describe the problems of regional development. Give the economic and geographical characteristics of Estonia. Give the economic and geographical characteristics of Latvia. Give the economic and geographical characteristics of Lithuania.

The article talks about the states that are part of the Baltic countries. The material contains data regarding the geographical location of countries, their economies and ethnic composition. Forms an idea of ​​trade and economic relations between the Baltic states and neighboring countries.

List of Baltic countries

The list of Baltic countries includes:

• Lithuania,
• Latvia,
• Estonia.

Three sovereign states were formed in 1990 after the collapse of the USSR. The countries are quite small in area and population. Almost immediately after the declaration of sovereignty, the Baltic states set a course for integration into the pan-European economic, political and cultural space. Today the countries are members of the EU and NATO.

Geographical location of the Baltics

Geographically, the Baltic countries are located in the southeastern part of the coast Baltic Sea. They are located on the border of the East European Plain and the Polish Lowland. On the western borders, the countries of this region neighbor Poland, in the south - with Belarus, in the east - with Russia.

Rice. 1. Baltic countries on the map.

In general, the geographical position of the Baltic countries is quite favorable. They are provided with access to the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea has always had important role V international relations countries of Europe.

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The Baltic lands are poor in mineral resources. The only significant reserves of oil shale are located in Estonia. Oil and gas deposits are of local importance.

Rice. 2. Extraction of oil shale in Estonia.

The main neighbors of the Baltic countries are economically developed powers with a stable economy and peaceful policies. Sweden and Finland already have enough a long period time, occupy a position of neutrality and mutually beneficial cooperation in the international arena.

Peoples of the Baltic countries

The demographic situation in these states is quite far from favorable. There is a process of natural outflow of the population. In addition, the mortality rate exceeds the birth rate. The result is a decline in the population of all three countries.

The average population density of the Baltic countries is significantly lower compared to other European countries.

The distribution of the population in all countries is also quite uneven.

The coasts and areas around the capitals are the most densely populated. The level of urbanization is high everywhere, reaching a figure close to 70%.

In terms of population, the Baltic capitals are leading:

• Riga;
• Vilnius;
• Tallinn.

Rice. 3. Old Riga.

IN national composition the predominant ethnic groups are. In Lithuania, the percentage of the indigenous population is over 80%, in Estonia - almost 70%, in Latvia - more than half (60%).

Baltics.

Tourism opportunities in the Baltic states

The nature of the Baltics is quite diverse, the number natural resources per capita exceeds the European average. Per inhabitant Baltic states accounts for 10 times more land 10 times more renewable than in the Netherlands water resources than the world average. Woodlands hundreds of times more per person than most European countries. Moderate climate and stable geological conditions protect the territory from disasters, and a limited amount of minerals from intense pollution of the territory various waste mining industry.

Tours and holidays

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Denmark

The Baltics lie in temperate zone, in the north and west it is washed by the Baltic Sea. The climate is greatly influenced by Atlantic cyclones; the air is always humid due to the proximity of the sea. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, winters are warmer than in mainland Eurasia.

The Baltic states are quite attractive for excursion tourism. On its territory there is preserved a large number of medieval buildings (castles). Almost all Baltic cities are free from the hustle and bustle inherent in any regional city Russia. In Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, the historical parts of the city are perfectly preserved. All the Baltic countries, such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Denmark, are always popular among Russian tourists who want to get into the atmosphere of medieval Europe.

Baltic hotels are much more European in terms of the quality of services provided with fairly affordable prices.

Baltics this is part Northern Europe, corresponding to the territories of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, as well as the former East Prussia. Since Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia announced their secession from the USSR in 1991, the phrase “Baltic states” usually means the same thing as the “Baltic republics” of the USSR.

The Baltic states have an advantageous geographical location. Access to the Baltic Sea and proximity developed countries Europe on the one hand, and the proximity to Russia in the east on the other hand, makes this region a “bridge” between Europe and Russia.

On south coast Baltics on the Baltic coast stand out essential elements: The Sambian Peninsula with the Vistula Spit and the Curonian Spit extending from it, the Courland (Kurland) Peninsula, the Gulf of Riga, the Vidzeme Peninsula, the Estonian Peninsula, the Narva Bay and the Kurgalsky Peninsula, beyond which the entrance to the Gulf of Finland opens.

A Brief History of the Baltic States

The earliest records are from Herodotus. He mentions the Neuroi, Androphages, Melanchlens, Budins, today attributed to the Dnieper-Dvina culture, who lived on the eastern coast of the Svevian (Baltic) Sea, where they cultivated cereals and collected amber along the seashore. In general, ancient sources are not rich in information about the Baltic tribes.

Interest ancient world to the Baltic states was quite limited. From the shores of the Baltic with its low level development, Europe received mainly amber and other ornamental stones. By virtue of climatic conditions neither the Baltic states nor the Slavic lands beyond it could provide any significant amount of food to Europe. Therefore, unlike the Black Sea region, the Baltic states did not attract ancient colonialists.

IN early XIII century, significant changes occur in the life of the diverse population of the entire southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The Baltics fall into the zone of long-term strategic interests neighboring states. The capture of the Baltic states occurs almost instantly. In 1201, the crusaders founded Riga. In 1219, the Danes occupied Russian Kolyvan and founded Tallinn.

Over the course of several centuries, different parts of the Baltic states came under different rule. They were ruled by both the Russians in the person of the Novgorod and Pskov princes, who themselves were mired in internecine wars, and the Livonian Order until its collapse and further ousting from the Baltic states.

According to the peace treaty with Sweden concluded by Peter 1 in Nystadt in 1721, Russia returned the lost part of Karelia, part of Estland with Revel, part of Livonia with Riga, as well as the islands of Ezel and Dago. At the same time, Russia assumed obligations regarding political guarantees to the population newly accepted into Russian citizenship. All residents were guaranteed freedom of religion.

By the beginning of the First World War in the Baltic states, the largest administrative-territorial entities of Russia were three Baltic provinces: Livlyandskaya (47027.7 km?), Estlyandskaya (20246.7 km?), Courlandskaya (29715 km?). The Russian Provisional Government adopted the regulation “On the Autonomy of Estonia.” Although new frontier between the Estland and Livonia provinces was not demarcated under the Provisional Government; its line forever divided the district town of Valk along the river line, and part railway Petrograd-Riga turned out to be entering the territory of the adjacent province, practically not serving it itself.

The entry of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the USSR begins with the approval of the VII session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of decisions on the admission to the USSR: Lithuanian SSR - August 3, Latvian SSR - August 5 and Estonian SSR - August 6, 1940, based on statements from higher authorities authorities of the respective Baltic states. Modern Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania consider the actions of the USSR to be occupation followed by annexation.

On the night of March 11, 1990, the Supreme Council of Lithuania, headed by Vytautas Landsbergis, declared independence Republic of Lithuania. On November 16, 1988, the Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR adopted the “Declaration of the Sovereignty of the Estonian SSR.” The independence of Latvia was declared by the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR on May 4, 1990.