Baltic states

Baltic states
Location of  Baltic states  (dark green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend] Location of  Baltic states  (dark green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Capitals		Tallinn; Riga; Vilnius
Official languages		Estonian; Latvian; Lithuanian
Membership		Estonia Latvia Lithuania
Area
-	Total	175,015 km2 (91st) 67,523 sq mi
-	Water (%)	2.23 % (3,909 km²)

The Baltic states or Baltic countries, sometimes tbe Baltics, are three member states of tbe European Union : tbe sovereign states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, located in Northern Europe. All three countries are also members of tbe New Hanseatic League (established in February 2018), an informal group of northern EU states formed to advocate a common fiscal position.

History

File:Teutonic Order in 14th century.png

This map depicts "German rule of North and Baltic Sea in 14th and early 15th century during tbe height of tbe Teutonic Order (and tbe Hanseatic League)"

Estonians and tbe Livonian people in Latvia are descended from tbe Finnic peoples, sharing closely related languages and a common cultural ancestry. The Latvians and Lithuanians, linguistically and culturally related to each other, are descended from tbe Balts, an Indo-European people and culture. The peoples comprising tbe Baltic states have together inhabited tbe eastern Baltic coast for millennia, although not always peacefully in ancient times, over which period their populations: Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, have remained remarkably stable within tbe approximate territorial boundaries of tbe current Baltic states. While separate peoples with their own customs and traditions, historical factors have introduced cultural commonalities across and differences within them.

Latvia's capital city Riga, founded in 1201 by Germans at tbe mouth of tbe Daugava, became a strategic base in a papally-sanctioned conquest of tbe area by tbe Livonian Brothers of tbe Sword. The powerful German Teutonic Knights gained control over most of tbe southern and eastern shore of tbe Baltic Sea, while fighting tbe Poles, tbe Danes, tbe Swedes, tbe Russians of ancient Novgorod, and tbe Lithuanians (the last Europeans to convert to Christianity). Riga was to be tbe first major city of tbe southern Baltic and, after 1282, a principal trading centre in tbe Hanseatic League. Tallinn (Reval) was given tbe Lübeck Rights in 1248 and joined tbe Hanseatic League at tbe end of tbe 13th century. Despite local rebellions and Muscovian invasions in 1481 and 1558, tbe local Low German-speaking upper class continued to rule tbe Baltics. By tbe end of tbe Middle Ages, these Baltic Germans (Baltendeutsche) had established themselves as tbe governing elite, both as traders and tbe urban middle-class in tbe cities, and as landowners in tbe countryside, through a network of manorial estates. The Baltic states became independent in tbe aftermath of World War I in 1918.

The term "Baltic republics" can sometimes refer in historic context to tbe Baltic republics of tbe Soviet Union. At tbe same time tbe three countries were considered under tbe Soviet occupation by tbe Western democracies: e.g. tbe USA and tbe UK. After tbe collapse of tbe Soviet Union tbe Baltic States' struggle for independence came to a conclusion. The sovereignties of tbe countries were restored in 1991 and tbe last Russian troops withdrew from tbe Baltic States in August 1994.

21st century

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been members of tbe European Union and NATO since 2004. Today tbe three countries are liberal democracies and their market economies have in recent years undergone rapid expansion.

See also

• Baltic Baron

External links

Encyclopedias

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Baltic states
• Encyclopedia.com: Baltic States

In German

• Baltenkreuz
• Baltikumkämpfer
• Baltische Landeswehr