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Republik Estland |
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A republic in northern Europe
bordering on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. Estonia was for
centuries a Swedish possession. Conquered by Russia in 1721, it was
under Russian rule until 1917, when it became independent. In 1939,
Soviet forces occupied the country, absorbing it in 1940. Occupied by
Germany from 1941-44 and administered as part of Ostland, Estonia was
re-occupied by the Soviet Union. after World War II. In 1990, Estonia
declared itself an "occupied nation" and on August 20, 1991,
declared its independence. Russia accepted Estonia's declaration in
September, and the last Russian troops were withdrawn in 1994. |
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