Tallinn

Location

Tallin is the capital of Estonia, located opposite Helsinki, on the Gulf of Finland.

Population

approx 443,000 (est 1995)

Economic Activity

Tallin is a major Baltic port, and industrial center and a junction for rail highway transport. The city's industries include metalworking, shipbuilding, fish and food processing, the manufacture of electrical consumer goods and various types of machinery. In addition, the city has a significant tourist industry, along with military and naval installations.

Overview

Tallin was first mentioned in 1154 by the Arab geographer Idrisi. The city suffered destruction in 1219 at the hands of Waldemar II of Denmark who built a fortress there. In 1346 Tallin along with the rest of Estonia was sold to the Livonian Brothers of the Sword by Waldemar IV and remained under their control until 1561, when it passed to Sweden after Livonian power had dissolved. In 1710 the city was captured by Peter I during the Northern War and was later ceded to Russia by the Treaty of Nystad (1721). Under Russian control, Tallin was built up to serve as a port for Russia's Baltic Fleet and in 1870 was linked to St. Petersburg by a rail line. In 1919 Tallin was proclaimed as the capital of independent Estonia and later when Estonia was absorbed by the USSR was the capital of the Estonian SSR (1940). In 1991, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Tallin was once again proclaimed the capital of independent Estonia. In Estonian, Tallin means "Danish Castle, ie, Taani Linn.