Esthonia
a former maritime gov. ernment of Russia, bounded by the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic and the former governments of Livonia and Petrograd.
It includes several islands, of which the most important are Dagoe and Oesel; area, 23,160 square miles. It has for the most part a flat or undulating surface. The whole of the N. side, however, rises considerably above the sea, and presents to it ranges of cliffs. The Narva, which merely bounds Esthonia on the E., is the only river of any importance; but minor streams, as well as small lakes, are very numerous. About a fourth of the surface is covered with forests of pine, birch, and alder. The crops include a little wheat, much barley and oats, and some flax, hops, and tobac- Cattle are reared, and active fishco.
ETCHING eries are carried on. The peasantry are almost all of Finnish origin, and speak a Finnish dialect. In the 10th and 12th centuries it belonged to Denmark; it was afterward annexed by Sweden, and in 1710 was seized by Russia. Reval is the capital. Pop. (1919) 1,744,000. On Feb. 24, 1918, the National Council of Esthonia declared for an independent state, which was recognized de facto by Great Britain. After the conclusion of the World War (1914-1918) the government of Esthonia was established.