Baltics
Three small republics
The Baltics refers to the three countries on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
These former Soviet republics share geographic proximity and a history of Russian domination, though their languages and cultures differ significantly.
The Baltics joined NATO in 2004.
Also called the Baltic states.
Northern Baltic republic
- LatviaBaltic republic, northern Europe
- LithuaniaBaltic European republic
- TallinnEstonia's main city
- RigaLatvian capital city
Vilnius · Scandinavia · Nordic · Eastern Europe · Kaliningrad · Gulf of Finland · coastline · peninsula
Moscow-controlled territorial dominion
- independenceFreedom from external control
- Singing RevolutionMusical Baltic independence protests
- Teutonic KnightsMedieval German military order
- LivoniaHistoric Baltic region
Iron Curtain · annexation · deportations · 1991 · crusades · partition · liberation · resistance
Inherited communal music
- midsummerPeak of warm months
- amber jewelryOrnaments of fossilized tree resin
- linenFlax-derived textile
- rye breadLoaf from cereal grain
sauna · wooden architecture · paganism · handicrafts · national costume · mythology · storytelling · solstice
Western defense organization
- European UnionContinental political-economic federation
- eurozoneMonetary union sharing currency
- SchengenBorder-free European area
- post-SovietAfter 1991 dissolution
democracy · EU membership · border security · alliance · integration · sanctions · defense spending · cybersecurity
Dense, dark-grained loaf
- smoked fishCured, wood-flavored seafood
- potato dishesMeals featuring tubers
- sour creamCultured dairy condiment
- dillFeathery culinary herb
herring · kvass · curd cheese · caraway · speck · mushrooms · lingonberries · rye
Estonia
Northern Baltic republic
Riga · Vilnius · Scandinavia · Nordic · Eastern Europe · Kaliningrad · Gulf of Finland · coastline · peninsula · flatlands
Soviet occupation
Moscow-controlled territorial dominion
- independenceFreedom from external control
- Singing RevolutionMusical Baltic independence protests
- Teutonic KnightsMedieval German military order
Livonia · Iron Curtain · annexation · deportations · 1991 · crusades · partition · liberation · resistance · nationalism
folk songs
Inherited communal music
- midsummerPeak of warm months
- amber jewelryOrnaments of fossilized tree resin
- linenFlax-derived textile
rye bread · sauna · wooden architecture · paganism · handicrafts · national costume · mythology · storytelling · solstice · weaving
NATO
Western defense organization
- European UnionContinental political-economic federation
- eurozoneMonetary union sharing currency
- SchengenBorder-free European area
post-Soviet · democracy · EU membership · border security · alliance · integration · sanctions · defense spending · cybersecurity · energy independence
black bread
Dense, dark-grained loaf
- smoked fishCured, wood-flavored seafood
- potato dishesMeals featuring tubers
- sour creamCultured dairy condiment
dill · herring · kvass · curd cheese · caraway · speck · mushrooms · lingonberries · rye · smoked eel
- Eastern EuropePoland, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria
- European RegionsEastern Europe, Bavaria, Scandinavia, Western Europe, Balkans
- Post-CommunistRussia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania
- Eastern BlocEastern Bloc, communist regime, Warsaw Pact, Iron Curtain, Soviet Union
- Regional PeoplesAfricans, Asians, Australians, Europeans, Scandinavians
- Strategic PlacesSuez Canal, Panama Canal, Gibraltar, Strait of Hormuz, Bosphorus
BalticsBalkans
Southeastern European peninsula
Mediterranean · Scandinavia · Nordic countries · Iberia · British Isles
BalticsRussia
Eurasian federation, largest country
Belarus · Central Asia · Kazakhstan · Turkmenistan · Caucasus
- Baltic SeaNorthern European inland sea
- Baltic GermansEthnic minority, eastern coastland
- Baltic FinnsUralic-language speakers of northeastern Europe
- Baltic StatesThree northeastern European countries
- Baltic AvenueBoard game's cheapest street