Tallinn 31577 226017294 2008-07-16T13:35:49Z ToePeu.bot 4082686 robot Modifying: [[nds:Revel]] {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Tallinn |native_name = |image_skyline = Vaade Oleviste tornist 2004.jpg |image_caption = Tallinn old town |image_flag = Flag of Tallinn.svg |image_shield = Tallinn greater coatofarms.png |image_dot_map = Blank map of Europe cropped.svg |dot_x = 182 |dot_y = 95 |dot_map_caption = Location of Tallinn in [[Europe]] |dot_mapsize = 280px |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = [[Image:Flag of Estonia.svg|25px]] [[Estonia]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Estonia|County]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Harju County]] |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Edgar Savisaar]] |established_title = First appeared on map |established_date = 1154 |area_total_km2 = 159.2 |area_total_sq_mi = 61.5 |population_as_of = 2007 |population_total = 400 911 |population_density_km2 = 2506.9 |population_density_sq_mi = 6492.8 |timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset = +2 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +3 |latd=59 |latm=26 |lats= |latNS=N |longd=24 |longm=45 |longs= |longEW=E |website = [http://www.tallinn.ee/eng www.tallinn.ee] |footnotes = }} '''Tallinn''' (historically known by the [[German language|German]] and [[Danish language|Danish]] name ''Reval'' or the [[Polish language|Polish]] name ''Rewal'', among [[#Historical names|other names]]) is the [[capital]] and largest [[city]] in [[Estonia]]. It lies on the northern coast of Estonia on the [[Gulf of Finland]]. The city is an important industrial, political and cultural center and [[seaport]]. ==Etymology== In 1219 [[Valdemar II of Denmark]], leading the Danish Fleet in connection with the [[Livonian Crusade]], landed in an Estonian town of Lindanisse <ref>{{dk icon}}[http://runeberg.org/img/salmonsen/2/7/0518.pdf] SALMONSENS KONVERSATIONS LEKSIKON</ref> at (Latin) ''Revelia'' (Estonian) ''Revala'' or ''Rävala'', the adjacent ancient Estonian county. The Danish Army defeated the Estonians at the [[Battle of Lyndanisse]]. The [[German language|German]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] name Reval (Latin: ''Revalia'') originated from the ancient Estonian name of the county. The origin of the name "Tallinn(a)" is certain to be [[Estonian language|Estonian]], although the original meaning of the name is debated. It is usually thought to be derived from "''Taani-linn(a)''" (meaning "[[Denmark|Danish]]-castle/town"; [[Latin]]: [[Castrum Danorum]]) after the Danes built the castle in place of the Estonian stronghold at Lindanisse. However, it could also have come from "''tali-linna''" ("winter-castle/town"), or "''talu-linna''" ("house/farmstead-castle/town"). The element ''-linna'', like [[Germanic languages|Germanic]] ''-[[burg]]'' and [[Slavic languages|Slavic]] ''-[[Grad (geography)|grad]]'' / ''-[[gorod]]'', originally meant "fortress" but is used as a suffix in the formation of town names. '''Tallinna''' replaced the previously used official German name {{Audio|Reval.ogg|'''Reval'''}} ({{lang-ru|Ревель}}) in 1918, when Estonia became independent. In the early 1920s, the official spelling of the city name was changed from Tallinna to '''Tallinn''', making the new name notable since Estonian-language place names always end with a vowel (denoting the [[genitive case]]). However, somewhat confusingly to non-Estonian speakers, the word Tallinna still appears in modern Tallinn as the ''-a'' suffix can denote the genitive case (thus ''Tallinna Lennujaam'' translates literally as Tallinn's Airport). === Historical names === The [[German language|German]] and [[Danish language|Danish]] name Reval ({{lang-la|Revalia}}) originated from the 13th century Estonian name of the adjacent Estonian county of ''Rävala''. Other known ancient historical names of Tallinn include variations of the Estonian ''Lindanisse''<ref>{{de icon}} Reval's ältester Estnischer Name Lindanisse, Verhandlungen der gelehrten estnischen Gesellschaft zu Dorpat. Band 3, Heft 1. Dorpat 1854, p. 46–47</ref> (see [[Battle of Lyndanisse]]), such as ''Lyndanisse'' in [[Danish language|Danish]], ''Lindanäs'' in Swedish, and ''Ledenets'' in [[Old East Slavic language|Old East Slavic]]. ''Kesoniemi'' or ''Rääveli'' in [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and ''Kolyvan'' (Колывань) in Old East Slavic are other historical names. The Ancient Arabic and Russian name ''Kaluria'' was first mentioned in [[1154]] when the [[Arab]] geographer [[Al-Idrisi]] used it in his map of the world.<ref>"A glance at the history and geology of Tallinn" by Jaak Nõlvak. In [http://www.gi.ee/WOGOGOB/wogogob_web.pdf Wogogob 2004: Conference Materials]</ref> ==History== [[Image:Danmarks flag 1219 Lorentzen.jpg|thumb|left|[[Flag of Denmark|Dannebrog]] falling from the sky in the 1219 [[Battle of Lyndanisse]]. Danish depiction in the national romantic tradition.]] The southern coast of the Gulf of Finland is thought to have been settled by [[Finnic]]-speaking tribes already in the [[2nd millennium BC]]. Supposedly, in 1154 Tallinn was placed on the world map of the [[Almoravid]] cartographer [[Muhammad al-Idrisi]] as ''Koluria''.<ref>[http://www.travel2baltics.com/default.asp/ac/t2b_sihtkoht/subac/est/id/178 Tallinn - Medieval Capital]</ref> As an important port for trade between [[Russia]] and [[Scandinavia]], it became a target for the expansion of the [[Teutonic Knights]] and Kingdom of [[Denmark]] during the period of [[Northern Crusades]] in the beginning of the 13th century when [[Roman Catholic Church|Christianity]] was forcibly imposed on the local population. Danish rule of Tallinn and Northern Estonia started in 1219. In 1285 the city became the northernmost member of the [[Hanseatic League]] - a mercantile and military alliance of [[Germans|German]]-dominated cities in [[Northern Europe]]. The Danes sold Tallinn along with their other land possessions in northern Estonia to the [[Teutonic Knights]] in 1346. Medieval Tallinn enjoyed a strategic position at the crossroads of trade between Western and Northern Europe and Russia. The city, with a population of 8,000, was very well fortified with [[city walls]] and 66 defence towers. A [[weather vane]], the figure of an old warrior called [[Old Thomas]] was put on top of the spire of the Tallinn's Town Hall in [[1530]] that became the symbol for the city. With the start of the [[Protestant Reformation]] the [[Germans|German]] influence became even stronger as the city was converted to [[Lutheranism]]. In 1561 Tallinn politically became a [[Dominions of Sweden|dominion]] of [[Sweden]]. During the [[Great Northern War]] the Swedish troops based in Tallinn capitulated to [[Russian Empire|Imperial Russia]] in 1710, but the local self-government institutions (Magistracy of Reval and [[Chivalry of Estonia]]) retained their cultural and economical autonomy within Imperial Russia as the [[Duchy of Estonia]]. The Magistracy of Reval was abolished in 1889. The 19th century brought industrialization of the city and the port kept its importance. During the last decades of the century [[Russification]] measures became stronger. [[Image:180px-Olevistekirik3.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Olav Tallinn|St. Olav's Church]] (''Oleviste kirik'') was once the tallest building in the world]] [[Image:Tallinn-old-town.jpg|thumb|The historical Old Town]] [[Image:VanaToomas1530.jpg|thumb|The original [[Old Thomas]] (1530)]] On [[24 February]] [[1918]], the Independence Manifesto was proclaimed in Tallinn, followed by [[German Empire|Imperial German]] occupation and a [[Estonian Liberation War|war of independence]] with Russia. On [[2 February]] [[1920]], the [[Treaty of Tartu (Russian–Estonian)|Tartu Peace Treaty]] was signed with Soviet Russia, wherein Russia acknowledged the independence of the Estonian Republic. Tallinn became the capital of an independent Estonia. After [[World War II]] started, Estonia was occupied by the [[Soviet Union]] (USSR) in 1940, and later occupied by [[Nazi Germany]] from 1941-44. After Nazi retreat in 1944, it was occupied by the USSR again. After [[Occupation of Baltic Republics|annexation]] into the Soviet Union, Tallinn became the capital of the [[Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Estonian SSR]]. During the [[1980 Summer Olympics]] a regatta was held at Pirita, north-east of central Tallinn. Many buildings, like the hotel "Olümpia", the new Main Post Office building, and the Regatta Center, were built for the Olympics. In August 1991 an independent democratic Estonian state was re-established and a period of quick development to a modern European capital ensued. Tallinn became the capital of a [[de facto]] independent country once again on [[August 20]], [[1991]]. Tallinn has historically consisted of three parts: * The [[Toompea]] (''Domberg'') or "Cathedral Hill", which was the seat of the central authority: first the Danish captains, then the [[komtur]]s of the Teutonic Order, and Swedish and Russian governors. It was until 1877 a separate town (''Dom zu Reval''), the residence of the aristocracy; it is today the seat of the Estonian government and many embassies and residencies. * The Old Town, which is the old [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] town, the "city of the citizens", was not administratively united with Cathedral Hill until the late 19th century. It was the centre of the medieval trade on which it grew prosperous. * The Estonian town forms a crescent to the south of the Old Town, where the [[Estonians]] came to settle. It was not until the mid-19th century that ethnic Estonians replaced the local [[Baltic German]]s as the majority amongst the residents of Tallinn. Historically, the city has been attacked, sacked, razed and pillaged on numerous occasions. Although extensively bombed by Soviet air forces during the latter stages of World War II, much of the medieval Old Town still retains its charm. The Tallinn Old Town (including ''Toompea'') became a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World Cultural Heritage]] site in 1997. At the end of the 15th century a new 159 m high [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] spire was built for [[St Olav Tallinn|St. Olav's Church]]. Between 1549 and 1625 it was the [[List of tallest churches|tallest building in the world]]. After several fires and following rebuilding, its overall height is now 123 m. {{wide image|Tallinn_wide.jpg|2000px|Panorama over Old Town from the Viru hotel}} <br clear=all> ==Geography== {{wide image|TallinnPan.jpg|900px|Panorama of Downtown Tallin}} <!--[[Image:TallinnPan.jpg|center|900px|Panorama of Downtown Tallin]]--> Tallinn is situated on the southern coast of the [[Gulf of Finland]], in north-western Estonia. The largest lake in Tallinn is [[Lake Ülemiste]] (covers 9.6 [[Square kilometre|km²]]). It is the main source of the city's drinking water. [[Lake Harku]] is the second largest lake within the borders of Tallinn and its area is 1.6 km². Unlike many other large towns, the only significant river in Tallinn is [[Pirita River]] (a city district counted as a suburb). The river valley is a protected area because of its natural beauty. A [[limestone]] [[cliff]] runs through the city. It is exposed, for instance, at [[Toompea]] and Lasnamäe. However, Toompea is not a part of the cliff, but a separate hill. The highest point of Tallinn, at 64 meters above the sea level, is situated in the district of [[Nõmme]], in the south-west of the city. The length of the [[coastline]] is 46 kilometres. It comprises 3 bigger [[peninsula]]s: Kopli peninsula, Paljassaare peninsula and Kakumäe peninsula. <!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather |metric_first= Yes |single_line= Yes |location = Tallinn |Jan_Hi_°C = -2.9 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = 9.2 |Feb_Hi_°C = -3.0 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C = 10.2 |Mar_Hi_°C = 0.8 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C = 15.9 |Apr_Hi_°C = 7.3 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C = 27.2 |May_Hi_°C = 14.0 |May_REC_Hi_°C = 29.7 |Jun_Hi_°C = 18.8 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C = 31.2 |Jul_Hi_°C = 20.8 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C = 32.3 |Aug_Hi_°C = 19.9 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C = 31.2 |Sep_Hi_°C = 14.9 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C = 28.5 |Oct_Hi_°C = 9.0 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C = 21.8 |Nov_Hi_°C = 3.3 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C = 13.4 |Dec_Hi_°C = -0.2 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C = 10.7 |Year_Hi_°C = 8.6 |Year_REC_Hi_°C = 32.3 |Jan_Lo_°C = -8.2 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C = -31.4 |Feb_Lo_°C = -8.7 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C = -31.0 |Mar_Lo_°C = -5.6 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C = -26.2 |Apr_Lo_°C = -0.2 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C = -17.2 |May_Lo_°C = 4.9 |May_REC_Lo_°C = -4.3 |Jun_Lo_°C = 9.9 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C = 0.0 |Jul_Lo_°C = 12.5 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C = 4.4 |Aug_Lo_°C = 12.0 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C = 1.7 |Sep_Lo_°C = 8.0 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C = -4.7 |Oct_Lo_°C = 3.7 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C = -10.5 |Nov_Lo_°C = -0.9 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C = -21.3 |Dec_Lo_°C = -4.9 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C = -32.2 |Year_Lo_°C = 1.9 |Year_REC_Lo_°C = -32.2 <!--**** use mm or cm but not both! ****--> |Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 45 |Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 29 |Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 29 |Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm = 36 |May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm = 37 |Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm = 53 |Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm = 79 |Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm = 84 |Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 82 |Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 70 |Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 68 |Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 55 |Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm = 667 |source = Pogoda.ru.net<ref name="pogoda">{{cite web | url = http://pogoda.ru.net/climate/26038.htm | title = Pogoda.ru.net| accessmonthday = September 7| accessyear = 2007 | publisher = | language = Russian}}</ref> |accessdate = 7.09.2007 <!--|source2 = <ref name= >{{cite web | url = | title = | accessmonthday = | accessyear = | publisher = | language = }}</ref>--> |accessdate2 = --> }}<!--Infobox ends--> ==Administrative districts== [[Image:Toompea castle house of parliament.JPG|thumb|Toompea castle – the seat of the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia]] {| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5 align="right" |- !District !Area !Population |- | [[Haabersti]] || 18.6 km² || 35,000 |- | [[Kesklinn]] || 28.0 km² || 34,985 |- | [[Kristiine]] || 9.4 km² || 27,531 |- | [[Lasnamäe]] || 30.0 km² || 108,644 |- | [[Mustamäe]] || 8.0 km² || 62,219 |- | [[Nõmme]] || 28.0 km² || 35,043 |- | [[Pirita]] || 18.7 km² || 8,507 |- | [[Põhja-Tallinn]] || 17.3 km² || 52,573 |} For [[local government]] purposes, Tallinn is subdivided into 8 administrative [[district]]s ([[Estonian language|Estonian]]: ''linnaosad'', sg. - ''linnaosa''). The district governments are city institutions that fulfill, in the territory of their district, the functions assigned to them by Tallinn [[legislation]] and [[statute]]s. Each district government is managed by an Elder ([[Estonian language|Estonian]]: ''linnaosavanem''). He or she is appointed by the City Government on the nomination of the [[Mayor]] and after having heard the opinion of the Administrative Councils. The function of the Administrative Councils is to recommend, to the City Government and Commissions of the City Council, how the districts should be administered. <br clear=all> ==Population== [[Image:Tallinn city hall.jpg|thumb|Tallinn medieval [[city hall|Town Hall]] (''Raekoda'')]] {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" align="right" |+Population development | Year | Population |- | 1372 | 3,250 |- | 1772 | 6,954 |- | 1816 | 12,000 |- | 1834 | 15,300 |- | 1851 | 24,000 |- | 1881 | 45,900 |- | 1897 | 58,800 |- | 1925 | 119,800 |- | 1959 | 283,071 |- | 1989 | 478,974 |- | 1996 | 427,500 |- | 2000 | 400,378 |- | 2005 | 401,694 |- | 2006 | 399,108 |- | 2007 | 400,911 |} Tallinn's population is registered 400,200 (as of May 2007). According to [[Eurostat]], the statistical agency of the [[European Union]], of all EU member states' capital cities, Tallinn has the largest number of non-EU nationals: 27.8% of its population are not EU citizens. This is because planned immigration from other [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Soviet republics]] during the period of [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] control (1944-1991) brought large numbers of non-Estonians, mostly [[Russians]], to Tallinn and other areas of Northern Estonia. These immigrants and their offspring do not qualify automatically for Estonian citizenship. {| class="wikitable" !Nationality !Percentage |- |[[Estonians]] |align=right|54.9% |- |[[Russians]] |align=right|36.5% |- |[[Ukrainians]] |align=right|3.6% |- |[[Belarussians]] |align=right|1.9% |- |[[Finns]] |align=right|0.9% |- |Others |align=right|3.1% |} In addition to the native [[Estonian language]] (which is of the [[Finno-Ugric languages|Finno-Ugric]] group, closely related to the [[Finnish language]]), [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[English language|English]] are widely understood in Tallinn. <br clear=all> ==Economy== [[Image:Tallinn - sounds good.png|thumb|250px|Logo of Tallinn.]] In addition to longtime functions as seaport and capital city, Tallinn has seen development of an [[information technology]] sector in recent years; in its [[13 December]] [[2005]], edition, ''[[The New York Times]]'' characterized Estonia as "a sort of [[Silicon Valley]] on the Baltic Sea." One of Tallinn's sister cities is the Silicon Valley town of [[Los Gatos, California]]. [[Skype]] is one of the best-known of several Tallinn IT start-ups, and a first [[venture capital]] firm was founded in 2005.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Many are housed in the Soviet-era [[Institute of Cybernetics]], which is said to been one of the seeds for Estonian adoption of computing technology. Despite this, the most important economic sectors of Tallinn are the light, textile, and food industry, as well as the service and government sector. There is a small fleet of [[Fish processing vessel|ocean going-trawlers]] that operate out of Tallinn.<ref>http://www.iec.is/reyktal.htm Reyktal AS fleet</ref> ==Education== Tallinn is the location of many institutions of higher education and science, including: * [[Tallinn University]] (old name Tallinn Pedagogical University) * [[Tallinn University of Technology]] * [[Estonian Academy of Music]] * [[Estonian Academy of Art]] * [[Estonian Academy of State Defence]] * [[Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church]] Institute of Theology * [[Estonian Business School]] * [[Estonian IT College]] * [[Estonian Maritime Academy]] ==Tourism== [[Image:Alexander-Newski-Kathedrale.JPG|thumb|[[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]] built in 1894-1900.]] Since independence, improving air and sea transport links with Western Europe and Estonia's accession to the [[European Union]] have made Tallinn easily accessible to tourists. The picturesque old town, a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], and the current novelty of the destination attract many tourists and facilities (hotels, restaurants) have developed to meet their needs. English is widely spoken within the tourist areas. Estonia has made rapid economic progress since independence and this is reflected in local prices. Although not extortionate, neither are prices as cheap as in other former Eastern Bloc countries. [[Image:StCatherinesPassage.jpg|thumb|left|St. Catherine's Passage]] The local tourist office sells the "Tallinn Card" which gives the holder free local public transport and entry to most attractions. Although the economics of this may be marginal, it is convenient to use. Local walking tours offer short-cuts to understanding the city. The main attractions are in the two old towns (Lower Town and [[Toompea]]) which are both easily explored on foot. Eastern districts around [[Pirita]] and [[Kadriorg]] are also worth visiting and the Estonian Open Air Museum (''Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum'') near Rocca al Mare, west of the city, preserves aspects of Estonian rural culture and architecture. ===Toompea=== This area was once a separate town (Dom zu Reval), the residence of the [[Chivalry of Estonia]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[bishop]]s of Tallinn (until 1561) and [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] superintendents of Estonia, occupying an easily defensible site overlooking the surrounding districts. The major attractions are the walls and various bastions of [[Castrum Danorum]], the [[Russian Orthodox]] [[Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn|Alexander Nevsky Cathedral]] (built during the period of [[Russian Empire]], the church was built on a site that formerly housed a statue of Martin Luther) and the [[Lutheran]] Cathedral (''Toomkirik''). ===Lower Town=== [[Image:ViruGate.jpg|thumb|right||180px|Viru Gate, entrance to the Old Town. One of two remaining towers that were once part of a larger gate system built in the 14th century]] [[Image:Tallinn City Wall.jpg|thumb|left|Part of Lower Town city wall]] This area is one of the best preserved old towns in Europe and the authorities are continuing its rehabilitation. Major sights include Raekoja plats (Town Hall square), the town walls and towers (notably "Fat Margaret" and "[[Kiek in de Kök|Kiek in de Kök (Tallinn)]]") and [[St Olav Tallinn|St Olaf church]] tower (124 m). ===Kadriorg=== [[Image:Kadriorg Tallinn.jpg|thumb|left|Kadriorg Palace]] This is 2 kilometres east of the centre and is served by buses and trams. The former palace of [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]], built just after the [[Great Northern War]], now houses (part of) the Art Museum of Estonia, presidential residence and the surrounding grounds include formal gardens and woodland. The new residence of the Art Museum of Estonia: [[KUMU (museum)|KUMU]] (Kunstimuuseum, Art Museum) was built several years ago. ===Pirita=== This coastal district is a further 2 kilometres north-east of Kadriorg. The marina was built for the [[1980 Summer Olympics|Moscow Olympics of 1980]], and boats can be hired on the Pirita river. Two kilometres inland are the Botanic Gardens and the [[Tallinn TV Tower|Tallinn television tower]]. <br clear=all> ==Transport== [[Image:Tallin Port from St Olav.jpg|thumb|205px|The port of Tallinn, seen from the tower of the St. Olav Church]] [[Image:Tallinn-hafen.jpg|thumb|205px|The port and Old Tallinn skyline, as seen from the sea]] ===City transport=== {{main|Public transport in Tallinn}} The city operates an extensive system of [[bus]] (63 lines), [[tram]] (4 lines) and [[trolley-bus]] (8 lines) routes to all districts. Fares are reasonably priced, and a flat-fare system is used. Payment is made either by pre-purchase of tickets at street-side kiosks or by a purchase from the transport vehicle. ===Air=== [[Tallinn Airport]] is about four kilometres from Raekoja plats (Town Hall square). There is a local bus connection between the airport and the edge of the city centre (bus no. 2). The nearest railway station [[Ülemiste]] is only 1.5 km from airport. The terminal building is a small but modern, convenient and clean building. Several airlines (e.g.[[City Airline]], [[CSA Czech Airlines]], [[easyJet]], [[Estonian Air]], [[Finnair]], [[Finncomm Airlines]], [[FlyLal]], [[Flynordic]], [[KLM]], [[LOT Polish Airlines|LOT]], [[Lufthansa]], [[Norwegian Air Shuttle|Norwegian]], [[Air Baltic]] and [[Scandinavian Airlines System|SAS]]) operate between Tallinn and European cities such as [[Amsterdam]], [[Berlin]], [[Brussels]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Dublin]], [[Dubrovnik]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Helsinki]], [[London]], [[Kiev]], [[Milan]], [[Moscow]], [[Munich]], [[Prague]], [[Simferopol]], [[Stockholm]], [[Warsaw]], [[Riga]], [[Rome]], [[Vilnius]], [[Oslo]], [[Barcelona]] and, in a regular charter basis, to [[Sharm el Sheik]], [[Dubai]], [[Phuket]], [[Tenerife]] etc. Domestic flights to [[Kuressaare]] and [[Kärdla]] are operated by [[Avies]]. The construction of the new section of the airport has begun in 2007 and is scheduled to end in summer 2008. There is an hourly [[helicopter]] service to and from Helsinki operated by [[Copterline]]. This route is advertised as the fastest capital-to-capital link in the world (one way takes 18 minutes). Copterline lost one of their helicopters in [[10 August 2005 helicopter crash near Tallinn|crash near Tallinn]]. This, together with decreasing amount of passengers and mechanical trouble with the one remaining helicopter, led to a decision to cancel the helicopter route. Flights restarted in 2008 with a new fleet<ref>[http://www.copterline.com/page54_en.html Copterline web page]</ref>. The Copterline Tallinn terminal is located adjacent to [[Linnahall]], only five minutes from the city center. ===Rail and road=== The [[Edelaraudtee]] railway company operates train services from Tallinn to [[Tartu]], [[Valga, Estonia|Valga]], [[Türi]], [[Viljandi]], [[Tapa, Estonia|Tapa]], [[Narva]], [[Orava, Estonia|Orava]], and [[Pärnu]]. Buses are also available to all these and various other destinations in Estonia, as well as to [[Saint Petersburg]] in [[Russia]] and [[Riga]] in [[Latvia]]. The [[GO Rail]] company operates a daily international sleeper train service between Tallinn-[[Moscow]] and Tallinn-[[Saint Petersburg]]. Tallinn also has a commuter rail service running from Tallinn's [[Baltic Station (Tallinn)|main rail station]] in two main directions: east ([[Aegviidu]]) and to several western destinations ([[Pääsküla]], [[Keila]], [[Riisipere]], [[Paldiski]], [[Klooga]] and [[Kloogaranna]]). These are electrified lines and are used by the [[Elektriraudtee]] railroad company. The trains are a mixture of modernised older Soviet EMU's and newly built units. The first electrified train service in Tallinn was opened in 1924 from Tallinn to Pääsküla, a distance of 11.2 kilometres. The [[Rail Baltica]] project, which will link Tallinn with Warsaw via Latvia and Lithuania, will connect Tallinn with the rest of the European rail network. A [[Helsinki to Tallinn Tunnel|tunnel]] has been proposed between between Tallinn and Helsinki, though it remains at a planning phase. The [[Via Baltica]] motorway (part of [[European route E67]] from [[Helsinki]] to [[Prague]]) connects Tallinn to the [[Lithuania]]n/[[Poland|Polish]] border through [[Latvia]]. Frequent and affordable long-distance bus routes connect Tallinn with other parts of Estonia. ===Ferry=== [[Image:SuperSeaCat.JPG|thumb|right|205px|[[Super SeaCat]] Ferry to Helsinki]] :''See also: [[Ports of the Baltic Sea]]'' Several ferry operators, [[Viking Line]], [[SuperSeaCat]], [[Linda Line Express]], [[Tallink]], [[Eckerö Line]] and [[Nordic Jet Line]], connect Tallinn to * {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Helsinki]] ([[Finland]]) * {{flagicon|Åland}} [[Åland]] ([[Finland]]) * {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Stockholm]] ([[Sweden]]) * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Rostock]] ([[Germany]]) The most popular passenger lines connect Tallinn to [[Helsinki]] (80 kilometres north of Tallinn) in approximately 90 minutes by [[fast ferries]] or 2-3.5 hours by [[Baltic Sea cruiseferries|cruiseferries]]. == Sister cities== Tallinn participates in international [[town twinning]] schemes to foster good international relations. Partners include: * {{flagicon|UK}} [[Dartford]], [[United Kingdom]] * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Los Gatos, California|Los Gatos]], [[United States]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Schwerin]], [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Kiel]], [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Ghent]], [[Belgium]] * {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]] * {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Malmö]], [[Sweden]] * {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Riga]], [[Latvia]] * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], [[United States]] * {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Groningen (city)|Groningen]], [[Netherlands]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Łomża]], [[Poland]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Gdańsk]], [[Poland]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Gdynia]], [[Poland]] * {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Białystok]], [[Poland]] * {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] Tallinn also has a mutual friendship with the city of [[Portland, Oregon]], [[United States]] and [[Kotka]], [[Finland]]{{Fact|date=July 2008}} ==See also== *[[Battle of Lyndanisse]] *[[Castrum Danorum]] *[[Eurovision Song Contest 2002]] *[[Legends of Tallinn]] *[[Tallinn TV Tower]] *[[Tõnismägi]] *[[Raeapteek]] *[[Toompea]] ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:ToompeaCastle.jpg|[[Castrum Danorum|Castle of Toompea]] Image:Tallinn_oldnew2.jpg Image:Tallin-markt.jpg|Medieval city centre of Tallinn with Town Hall and marketplace Image:Tallinn-hafen.jpg|Another view from the Finnish Gulf to Old Tallinn Image:DSCF2025ew2007.JPG|The city center (winter 2007) Image:Viru_Hotel_from_Tammsaare_park.jpg|Viru Hotel Image:Tallinn_skylinefar.jpg </gallery> ==References== {{reflist}} {{refbegin}} * Mark Landler, [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00614F935550C708DDDAB0994DD404482 "The Baltic Life: Hot Technology for Chilly Streets"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 13, 2005 * [[Scooch]] 'Flying the Flag (For You)', Warner Music UK, 2007 Eurovision Song Contest Entrant [UK] {{refend}} ==External links== {{commons|Tallinn}} {{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Tallinn.ogg|2006-10-03}} === General === *[http://www.tallinn.ee/eng The Website of the City of Tallinn] (official) *[http://tourism.tallinn.ee Tallinn Tourist Information] === Travel === *[[wikitravel:Tallinn|Tallinn]] on [[Wikitravel]] *[http://www.tallinn-airport.ee Tallinna Lennujaam - Tallinn Airport] *[http://www.ts.ee Port of Tallinn] *[http://weather.ee/tallinn Tallinn weather] *[http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=854:destination-tallinn&catid=155:travel&Itemid=185 article in Helsinki Times] === Photos and videos === *[http://www.tallinn.info/ Digital Tallinn] - Virtual tour (panoramas and photos) *[http://www.tallinn.info/webcam Real-time Web Camera] *[http://www.360pano.eu/tallinn/ QTVR fullscreen panoramas] of the Tallinn city === Maps === *[http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=59.435692,24.765930&spn=0.154924,0.236790&t=k&hl=en Landsat photo of Tallinn, via '''Google Maps'''] *[http://www.tallinnpissup.com/common_content/guide/tallinn-map-large.jpg Map of Tallinn Old Town] *[http://www.energoremont.ee/uploads/media/Map_of_Tallinn_01.jpg Map of Greater Tallinn] === Other === *{{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Estonia/Harjumaa/Tallinn/|Tallinn}} *[http://sites-of-memory.de/main/location.html#tallinn Soviet, Estonian and German Memorials and cemeteries in Tallinn at sites-of-memory.de] {{Tallinn}} {{Harjumaa}} {{Hanseatic League}} {{Capital cities of the European Union}} {{European Capital of Culture}} {{World Heritage Sites in Estonia}} {{Tallinn landmarks}} [[Category:Tallinn| ]] [[Category:Coastal cities]] [[Category:Port cities in Europe]] [[Category:Baltic Sea]] [[Category:Cities and towns in Estonia]] [[Category:Municipalities of Estonia]] [[Category:Capitals in Europe]] {{Link FA|no}} {{Link FA|nn}} [[af:Tallinn]] [[am:ታሊን]] [[ar:تالين]] [[an:Tallinn]] [[roa-rup:Tallinn]] [[gn:Talin]] [[bn:তাল্লিন]] [[be:Горад Талін]] [[be-x-old:Талін]] [[bs:Talin]] [[br:Tallinn]] [[bg:Талин]] [[ca:Tallinn]] [[cv:Таллин]] [[cs:Tallinn]] [[co:Tallinn]] [[da:Tallinn]] [[de:Tallinn]] [[dsb:Tallinn]] [[et:Tallinn]] [[el:Ταλίν]] [[myv:Таллин ош]] [[es:Tallin]] [[eo:Talino]] [[eu:Tallinn]] [[fa:تالین]] [[fo:Tallinn]] [[fr:Tallinn]] [[fy:Tallin]] [[ga:Tallinn]] [[gv:Tallinn]] [[gd:Tallinn]] [[gl:Talín - Tallinn]] [[ko:탈린]] [[hy:Տալլին]] [[hi:ताल्लिन]] [[hr:Tallinn]] [[io:Tallinn]] [[id:Tallinn]] [[ia:Tallinn]] [[is:Tallinn]] [[it:Tallinn]] [[he:טאלין]] [[ka:ტალინი]] [[kw:Tallinn]] [[sw:Tallinn]] [[ht:Talin]] [[lad:Tallin]] [[la:Castrum Danorum]] [[lv:Tallina]] [[lb:Tallinn]] [[lt:Talinas]] [[lij:Tallinn]] [[hu:Tallinn]] [[mk:Талин]] [[nl:Tallinn]] [[ja:タリン]] [[no:Tallinn]] [[nn:Tallinn]] [[nov:Tallinn]] [[oc:Tallinn]] [[pms:Tallin]] [[nds:Revel]] [[pl:Tallinn]] [[pt:Tallinn]] [[ro:Tallinn]] [[rmy:Tallinn]] [[qu:Tallinn]] [[ru:Таллин]] [[se:Tallinn]] [[sq:Talin]] [[simple:Tallinn]] [[sk:Tallinn]] [[sl:Talin]] [[sr:Талин]] [[sh:Talin]] [[fi:Tallinna]] [[sv:Tallinn]] [[tl:Tallinn]] [[tt:Таллин]] [[th:ทาลลินน์]] [[vi:Tallinn]] [[tg:Таллин]] [[tr:Tallinn]] [[udm:Таллин]] [[uk:Таллінн]] [[vo:Tallinn]] [[fiu-vro:Talliin]] [[yi:טאלין]] [[bat-smg:Talins]] [[zh:塔林]]