Estonia socioeconomically is a typical Eastern European country

[inactive_member]

Hahaha It seems right too, driving in Tallinn was total madness really. Nothing like in Northern and Western Europe. And the "highways" are shit (same in Latvia, though)

Most if not all socio-economic indicators put Estonia on par with Latvia and Lithuania. The differences are marginal. If you compare Estonia to Scandinavian or western European countries, then the differences are apparent.

[Styggnacke]

Most if not all socio-economic indicators put Estonia on par with Latvia and Lithuania. The differences are marginal. If you compare Estonia to Scandinavian or western European countries, then the differences are apparent.

Of course! There is only one individual here who thinks otherwise.

[inactive_member]

Also, southern part of Estonia and northern part of Latvia incl. Riga were part of the Livonian governorate (administrative unit) bet. 1721-1918 with proporationate territories and populations.

This is as close as any two countries can get having historical and cultural ties. So, advocating for some abstract similarities with Scandinavian countries, while ignoring own brothers and sisters living further south because of the successfulness of the Scandinavian countries is narrow-mindness of some people to say the least.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorate_of_Livonia

[Hercus Monte]

Hahaha It seems right too, driving in Tallinn was total madness really. Nothing like in Northern and Western Europe. And the "highways" are shit (same in Latvia, though)

our Highways are better, but that's just because they are real highways and not just some slightly bigger streets labeled as highways.
the rest is basically the same shit.

this is what a little village looks like - http://youtu.be/p9BMqXp5L4Q

this is what a slightly bigger village looks like - http://youtu.be/ZzCbO2o8cSo

this is what a little town looks like - http://youtu.be/Ui_PwI1E9M8


and I'm afraid to say it's exactly the same story in Estonia(old buildings, some renovated, some not;;; and ugly soviet blocks) even if they don't like to admit it.

[Windischer]

wow, is that a dust road in the 1st vid?

[Hercus Monte]

wow, is that a dust road in the 1st vid?

no, it's dirt or gravel. small villages (villages that have 5 or 10 people living in them) are usually in the middle of nowhere and are yet to be connected to other roads.

[Pure ja]

Also, southern part of Estonia and northern part of Latvia incl. Riga were part of the Livonian governorate (administrative unit) bet. 1721-1918 with proporationate territories and populations.

This is as close as any two countries can get having historical and cultural ties. So, advocating for some abstract similarities with Scandinavian countries, while ignoring own brothers and sisters living further south because of the successfulness of the Scandinavian countries is narrow-mindness of some people to say the least.

Then speak of Livonia, instead of Latvia or the Baltics.

[inactive_member]

Then speak of Livonia, instead of Latvia or the Baltics.

I wrote about the governorate of Livonia as it was known back then (1721-1918) in which 40% was Estonian, 44% Latvian. The territory is shared between northern Latvia and southern Estonia now.

[Pure ja]

I wrote about the governorate of Livonia as it was known back then (1721-1918) in which 40% was Estonian, 44% Latvian. The territory is shared between northern Latvia and southern Estonia now.

The name implies the connection.
Baltic is not the connection. Livonia is. Baltic-Finnic is. Aestii is.

If you want connection close to the name of baltic, try Valga/Valka.
Valg+ala = flow area, watershed, tributary
Baltic Sea = Flow (area) Sea = Baltic Ice (dammed) Lake