There is a lot of interesting things in the history of the development of each Baltic country - there is something to learn, in some things to take an example, and in some things you can learn from the mistakes of others.
Despite their small territory and small population, they manage to occupy a significant position in various international economic and trade associations.
If you are wondering: what kind of countries are the Baltic countries, how have they developed and how do they live, then this article is just for you, because here you can find all the necessary answers.
In this article we will look at their history, development and current position on the world political and economic stage.
Baltic countries. Compound
Neither more nor less, but three states are called the Baltic countries. At one time they were part of the USSR. Today all Baltic countries are completely independent.
The list looks like this:
They are both similar and different in their history, development, internal color, people, and traditions.
The Baltic countries cannot boast of large reserves natural resources, which affects the economy. Demographic situation has a negative trend, since mortality exceeds birth rate. It also affects high level emigration of the population to other more developed European countries.
To summarize, in many ways modern development the Baltic countries is at the expense of the European Union. Of course, this affects both internal and external foreign policy these countries.
Since 1992, Estonia has chosen the path of European development as a priority and began to turn away from any interactions with Moscow, while maintaining warm relations.
The rapid transition to a market economy was facilitated by loans and external credits worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Besides, European countries returned to Estonia the funds that had been frozen from them since the republic joined the Soviet Union in the 40s of the 20th century.
The global financial crisis has greatly affected the Estonian economy
In just five years after 2000, the country's GDP increased by half. However, the global financial crisis did not spare Estonia and increased the unemployment rate from 5 to 15%. For the same reason, in 2009 the level of industrial production fell by more than 70%.
Estonia is a fairly active member of NATO and takes part in most peacekeeping operations, for example in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Multinational culture
It's hard to believe, but one country combines the cultures of Latvia, Finland, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Sweden, as well as other countries. This is due to the fact that at one time rulers chose one or another vector of development.
Estonia can be proud of its commitment to modernizing all processes. Since 2000, it has been possible to report taxes electronically. Since 2008, all meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers are not recorded in paper minutes - everything happens electronically.
Constant introduction of new information technologies
Imagine - more than 78% of the country's population uses the Internet. This indicator is one of the best in all of Europe. In the world by level of development information technologies ranks 24th in a ranking of 142 countries.
In this regard, Estonians really have something to be proud of.
Despite mass computerization, spiritual values, as well as the preservation surrounding nature are also a priority in the development of this country. Particularly noteworthy is the national cuisine, which is distinguished by the so-called peasant spirit from the past.
The Baltic countries are a small and beautiful corner on planet Earth
There is a lot to learn from three small countries. Despite the fact that they are completely energy dependent on other states, they managed to make a significant leap in their development compared to other countries that gained independence after the collapse Soviet Union.
So, what kind of countries are the Baltic countries, how did they develop and how do they live? We hope this article was useful to you and you were able to find all the necessary answers regarding the history, development and current position of these states on the world political and economic arena.
When the Baltic countries are mentioned, they primarily mean Latvia with its capital in Riga, Lithuania with its capital in Vilnius and Estonia with its capital in Tallinn.
That is, post-Soviet state entities located on the eastern coast of the Baltic. Many other states (Russia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland) also have access to the Baltic Sea, but they are not included in the Baltic countries.
But sometimes the Kaliningrad region belongs to this region Russian Federation. Almost immediately, the economy of the Baltic republics showed rapid growth.
For example, GDP (PPP) per capita there grew 3.6 times from 1993 to 2008, reaching $18 thousand in Latvia, $19.5 thousand in Lithuania, and $22 thousand in Estonia. While in Russia it only doubled and amounted to $21.6 thousand. On this basis, the ruling elites of the Baltic states, imitating Japan and South Korea, proudly began to call themselves the Baltic Economic Tigers. They say, give it time, just a few more years, and then we will show everyone who fed whom in the Soviet Union.
Seven whole years have passed since then, but for some reason no miracle happened. And where could he come from there, if the entire economy of these republics continued to exist exclusively on Russian commodity and raw material transit? Everyone remembers the indignation of the Poles over apples that have become unnecessary and the Finns with their suddenly overstocked dairy industry. Against this background, the problems of Lithuania, which supplied Russia with 76.13% of its vegetables and 67.89% of fruits, seemed not so significant. Taken together, they provided only 2.68% of the country's total exports. And even the fact that Russia bought up to half (46.3%) of Lithuanian industrial products also looked pale in view of the insignificance of the total volume of its production in Lithuania, both in pieces, in tons, and in money. As, however, in Latvia and Estonia too.
In the post-Soviet period, own production was not a strong point of any of the Baltic “tigers”. In reality, they lived, as they say, not from industry, but from the road. After separating from the USSR, they freely got ports through which a cargo turnover of approximately 100 million tons passed, for the transshipment of which Russia paid up to $1 billion annually, which was equal to 4.25% of the total GDP of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in 1998.
As the Russian economy recovered, Russian exports also grew, and with it the volume of transshipment in the Baltic ports increased. At the end of 2014, this figure reached 144.8 million tons, including: the port of Riga - 41.1 million tons; Klaipeda - 36.4 million tons; Tallinn - 28.3 million tons; Ventspils - 26.2 million tons. Only one Russian liberal “Kuzbassrazrezugol” shipped more than 4.5 million tons of coal per year to its customers through the Baltic states.
The picture with the Baltic monopoly on oil transportation is especially indicative. The Soviet Union at one time built the Ventspils oil terminal, which was powerful at that time, on the coast and extended the only transport pipeline in the region there. When Latvia “gained independence”, all this farming went to Latvia for free.
So in the 1990s, it received a pipe through which the former “occupier” pumped more than 30 million tons of oil and petroleum products per year. If we take into account that logistics cost about $0.7 per barrel, and there are 7.33 barrels per ton, then according to the most conservative estimates, Latvians earned $153.93 million every year for “travel.” Moreover, their “earnings” increased by as Russian oil exports grow.
While Russian liberals were blaming the country for its economic structure being too raw in raw materials, by 2009 the total volume of foreign supplies of Russian oil reached 246 million tons, of which 140 million tons passed through the Baltic ports per year. In “transport money” this is more than $1.14 billion. Of course, the Latvians did not get all of them; part of the cargo turnover went through St. Petersburg and the ports Leningrad region, but their development was greatly hampered by the Balts by everyone accessible ways. Apparently, there is no need to specifically explain why.
The second important source of “travel money” for the Baltic ports was the transhipment of sea containers (TEU). Even now, when St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Ust-Luga are actively working, Latvia (Riga, Liepaja, Ventspils) accounts for 7.1% of our container turnover (392.7 thousand TEU), Lithuania (Klaipeda) - 6.5% (359.4 thousand TEU), Estonia (Tallinn) - 3.8% (208.8 thousand TEU). In total, these limitrophes charge from $180 to $230 for transshipment of one TEU, which brings them about $177.7 million per year between the three of them. Moreover, the figures given reflect the situation for 2014. Ten years ago, the Baltic share in container logistics was approximately three times higher.
In addition to oil, coal and containers, Russia transports mineral fertilizers by the Baltic Sea, of which more than 1.71 million tons were shipped through Riga alone in 2014, and other chemicals, such as liquid ammonia, 1 million tons of which were pumped by the port Ventspils. Up to 5 million tons of fertilizers were loaded onto ships in Tallinn. In general, we can say with confidence that until 2004, about 90% of all Russian “maritime” exports passed through the Baltic states, providing the “tigers” with at least 18-19% of their total GDP. Here we should also add railway transit. For example, in 2006, Estonia alone received an average of 32.4 trains from Russia per day, which brought about $117 million annually to the port of Tallinn alone!
Thus, for twenty years, in general, only due to their transit position “on the road,” by the way, built by the “Soviet occupiers,” Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia received up to 30% of their GDP.
They shouted very actively at Russia and in every possible way provoked the growth of the conflict base between Russia and the US-EU. They allowed themselves to humiliate and destroy the Russian-speaking population of their countries, assuming that they would never have to answer for this. By the way, many people think so. And they are wrong. No matter how it is.
At the same time, they still had jobs, tax revenues and the opportunity to boast of extremely high rates of their own economic growth, at least one and a half times faster than the Russian ones. Moreover, this did not in the least prevent the Balts from declaring an incredibly huge Russian debt to them for the “destructive” Soviet occupation. It seemed to them that there was simply no alternative and, therefore, this anti-Russian freebie at Russian expense (!) would last forever.
To build a new port like Riga from scratch costs about four times Latvia’s annual GDP. I especially emphasize that for four years the entire country, from babies to decrepit old people, must not drink, not eat, not spend a penny on anything else, just work together to build the port. The improbability of such a scenario created among the Baltic geopolitical moseks the conviction of their absolute impunity. Allowing him to simultaneously claim Russian money and actively participate in the anti-Russian political and economic bacchanalia, and in some places even act as its initiator.
Is it any wonder that in Russia this state of affairs - the loud barking of small geopolitical dwarfs - did not evoke understanding? Another thing is that the result, because of which the Estonian government delegation recently urgently rushed to Russia to “negotiate,” did not arise yesterday and is not a consequence of Russian retaliatory food sanctions.
Even the formal reason - the Russian notification about the transition from 12 to 6 train pairs in rail transportation with Estonia - is just the final point of a batch that began on June 15, 2000, when the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation began implementing the port construction project in Ust-Luga. Although it would be more correct to talk about a whole program that provided for the rapid development of all Russian ports in the Baltic. Thanks to it, the cargo turnover of Ust-Luga increased from 0.8 million tons in 2004 to 10.3 million tons in 2009 and 87.9 million tons in 2015. And at the end of 2014, Russian ports already provided 35, 9% of all container turnover in the Baltic, and this figure continues to increase very quickly.
Gradually improving port facilities and developing its own transport infrastructure, Russia today has come to the point that we can provide more than 1/3 of containers, ¾ of gas exports, 2/3 of oil exports, 67% of coal and other bulk cargo exports on our own. This refers to the popular question among liberals that “in this backward gas station country, nothing really has been built in ten years.”
As it turned out, it was built. And so much so that the need for the Baltic transit transport corridor has practically disappeared. For rail transportation - five times. For containers - four. In terms of general cargo volume - three. In 2015 alone, the transportation of oil and petroleum products through adjacent ports fell by 20.9%, coal - by 36%, even mineral fertilizers- by 3.4%, although according to this indicator they still maintain a high degree of monopolization. However, by and large, that’s it - the freebie is over. Now Russophobes can walk on their own.
The sharp decrease in cargo turnover of the Baltic ports in the first quarter of 2016 (for example, in Riga - by 13.8%, in Tallinn - by 16.3%) plays the role of the last straw that can break the camel's back. Actually, Estonia started fussing because it suddenly realized that by the end of this year, approximately 6 thousand people could find themselves without work in the port of Tallinn. And up to 1.2 thousand will have to be laid off on the railway, of which at least 500 people will have to be cut in the next 2-3 months.
Moreover, the drop in freight volumes completely derails the entire economy. railways both Estonia itself and neighboring Lithuania and Latvia. They are becoming completely unprofitable in both the cargo and passenger segments.
For a country with a total workforce of just over 500 thousand people, of whom 372 thousand are employed in the service sector, this is not just a sad prospect, but the collapse of the entire economy. So they ran to please, buy, and atone for sins in all sorts of other ways. But, as they say, the train has left. Having made an unconditional bet on the EU and the United States, bet on the destruction and humiliation of the Baltic Russians, and bet on the humiliation of Russia, the Baltic ruling elites made a strategic mistake that can no longer be corrected. We will remember this for a long time.
Despite all the political conflicts, the life of the Baltic economy throughout the post-Soviet years was ensured only thanks to one thing - trade relations with Russia. And Russia endured for a long time, called on, admonished, persuaded the Baltic elite, receiving nothing but spitting in response. Our Russian imperial approach seemed to them a weakness. For a decade and a half, the Baltic “tigers” did everything to destroy this interest. Finally, we can congratulate them - they achieved their goal.
In the next year and a half, we can expect a final and progressive decline in trade turnover, after which the Baltic economy will be covered with a copper basin and return to what it was two hundred years ago - and will become a remote, poor, impoverished and useless region. Moreover, they look equally hopeless from Brussels, from Moscow, or from Washington.
At the same time, you can bet that both American tanks and NATO fighters will evaporate from there, since there will be no need to defend these remote places either. Therefore, they will most likely be expelled from NATO in the next five years. There won't be a miracle. The freebie is over. Russia will not forgive and will not forget the mockery that the geopolitical mongrels allowed themselves against Russia and the Russians.
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The Baltics - a world of harmony
Everyone who has ever been to the Baltic states says that this amazing region has everything - the wonderful tranquility of nature, the soft beauty of spacious fields and dense forests, the grandeur of modern megacities and the color of small villages. You will love this region at first sight and forever!
The Baltics - its beautiful open spaces
The nature of this marvelous region captivates the imagination. All tourists remember its simple harmonious beauty. The vastness of the forests of the Curonian Spit, the sands of the dunes, the blue of the sea depths, as well as the endless sky and a pleasant sea breeze remain in your memory. Each of the Baltic countries is unique and inimitable, although initially they seem very similar to tourists. As you get acquainted with the characteristics of each country, you will see how unique and charming each of them is.
What do you need to know before traveling to the Baltics?
To travel to this country you need a visa. To do this, you will need a certificate from your place of work, a passport, a photo, an international passport, and insurance.
The climate in the Baltics is quite diverse, despite the fact that the length of the region is only 600 km. So, in Druskininkan, “May” weather begins in early April. On the west coast and islands the influence of the maritime climate is very visible. Temperatures also vary significantly between regions. In February on the island. Saaremaa is 3°C, while in Narva it is 8°C. In summer (July) the temperature on the continent and islands is about 17°C. In western regions the temperature is usually several degrees lower. Humidity in the region ranges from 470 mm (coastal plains) to 800 mm (Vidzeme Upland).
In Lithuania there are more contrasting differences, since the maritime climate does not have a strong influence. Winter temperatures average from -2° to -5°C, and summer temperatures - 20-22°C.
The geographical location of the region is also interesting, because it is the center of Europe. The most high mountain has the strange name SuurMunamägi. She's certainly not the only one. There are several hills in the Baltic states, such as Vidzeme, Samogitia and Kurzeme. They give way to rolling plains and twisting ribbons of rivers. You might be interested in these natural attractions.
Treatment in the Baltics
This region is famous for its SPA salons and sanatoriums. Mineral water, pleasant climate, but most importantly - healing mud, create excellent conditions for recovery in this healing region. Thus, in Estonia, sulfide-silt muds in Ikla and Haapsalu, enriched with organic substances and mineral salts, and sapropel muds in Värska and the hospitals of Jurmala are famous.
Sights of the Baltic States
All Baltic countries are capable of providing a rich and interesting holiday. In sanatoriums you can relax and improve your health, on the beach you can bask in the soft rays of the sun, in the cities you can see many attractions. After all, all countries are rich in centuries-old history.
Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia deserve a separate description.
Lithuania is an emotional, vibrant country, and its population is the same. The peaceful grace of nature, historical monuments and amber are the three main attractions in this country. Here you can see the beautiful architectural monuments of Vilnius, visit the creative capital of Kaunas, enjoy the comfort of the seaside towns of Palanga and Klaipeda, see the magnificent region of the Trakai lakes and stroll along the Curonian Spit - a very picturesque place. Go to the Amber Museum, the National Museum of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Art Museum and the Radvil Palace. And between excursions, be sure to go to a local cafe for lunch and try zhemaycha, vederi and zeppelin.
Lithuania is one of the most ancient states in Europe, therefore the history of this region is rich and direct. IN modern country Megacities with developed infrastructure coexist perfectly with architectural and sculpture monuments, healing mineral springs and green forests. You will definitely be captivated by the unique nature of this marvelous region.
Latvia- a beautiful pearl of the Baltic states. In this beautiful country, you will see the ancient architecture of Riga, relax on the beaches of Jurmala, and take part in one of the many festivals. Perhaps you will be interested in classical music - then be sure to go to the Dome Cathedral. If you prefer architecture, be sure to take a walk to the Church of St. Peter, from the platform of which a breathtaking view of the Old Town opens.
And in this amazing region you will see beautiful lakes, virgin pine forests and spacious fields. The wondrous charm of the local nature will not leave anyone indifferent.
Estonia- this is a unique regularity. Sometimes it seems that it reigns everywhere here. Practical, reasonable, calm people. Because of its unusual nature, this country seems like a mystery to many. In this calm world you will be able to see ancient castles, stroll along the narrow medieval streets or large avenues of Tallinn, visit the island of Saarem. The latter will definitely appeal to connoisseurs of natural beauty. One an evening walk in Tallinn is a sufficient reason to travel to Estonia.
In this country you can see everything - small colorful cafes, luxury hotels, cozy streets, cobblestone streets, ancient temples, castles, estates and the magnificent beauty of the local nature.
Nature and animal world Baltic states
It is very difficult to describe the beauty of the local nature in words. In the country of 3000 lakes you will find picturesque landscapes, dense forests, and rushing rivers. National parks reverently guarded. The Baltics can rightly be called a green region. About 40% of the territory is occupied by coniferous and deciduous forests. You can find a lot of interesting curiosities in them - mushrooms, berries, animals.
The most big lake in Latvia - Lubans, the deepest is Dridzis, in Lithuania the most beautiful lake is Druksiai, and the deepest is Tauragnas. The largest lake in Estonia is truly huge - its area is 266 square meters. km. The Baltic rivers can also surprise you - the beautiful Western Dvina, the deep-flowing Neman, in whose waters there are more than 70 species of fish.
And, of course, we cannot fail to mention the Baltic Sea. Not too deep-sea, salty, but incredibly beautiful and warm. Soft silky sand, luxurious spacious beaches equipped with everything you need. The most heat waters in the Curonian Lagoon. The most famous resorts are Palanga, Jurmala and Pärnu. Estonia is famous for its largest coastline.
All countries are interesting, all are extraordinary. Discover amazing world Baltics together with the Kailash Club!
Today the Baltic region is a significant region of Northern Europe. One of the most important historical and economic points of the region is Pomorie. This is an administrative and sovereign region, which was previously called the Baltic Region. Understand the question: “What countries and states are the Baltics?” - historical and economic overviews of the region will help.
Formation of the edge
The word “Baltic” itself comes from the name of the sea on the shores of which the region is located. For a long time The German and Swedish peoples fought for sole power in the territory. It was they who made up the majority of the Baltic population in the 16th century. Many local residents left the region in search of a quiet life, and the families of the conquerors moved in their place. For a while the region began to be called Sveiskaya.
Endless bloody wars ended thanks to Peter I, whose army did not leave a wet spot against the enemy forces of the Swedes. Now the peoples of the Baltic states could sleep peacefully, without worrying about the future. The united region began to bear the name of the Baltic province, part of
Many historians are still struggling with the question of what kind of countries the Baltic states were at that time. It is difficult to answer this unequivocally, because in the 18th century, dozens of peoples with their own culture and traditions lived in the territory. The region was divided into administrative parts, provinces, but there were no states as such. The differentiation occurred much later, as evidenced by numerous records in historical documents.
During World War I, the Baltic states were occupied by German troops. For many years the region remained a German duchy on Russian territory. And only decades later the monarchical system began to be divided into bourgeois and capitalist republics.
Joining the USSR
Baltic states in modern form began to form only in the early 1990s. However, territorial formation occurred in the post-war period in the late 1940s. The accession of the Baltic states to the Soviet Union dates back to August 1939 under a mutual non-aggression treaty between the USSR and the German Republic. The agreement specified both the boundaries of the territory and the degree of influence on the economy by the two powers.
Nevertheless, most foreign political scientists and historians are confident that the region was completely occupied Soviet power. But do they remember what the Baltic countries are and how they were formed? The association includes Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. All these states were formed and formed precisely thanks to the Soviet Union. And yet, Western experts agree that Russia is obliged to pay financial compensation to the Baltic countries for the years of occupation and atrocities. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in turn, insists that the annexation of the region to the USSR did not contradict any canons of international law.
Division of the republics
After the collapse of the USSR, many countries gained legalized sovereignty, but the Baltic states gained independence at the beginning of 1991. Later, in September, the pact on the new region was reinforced by resolutions of the USSR State Council.
The division of the republics took place peacefully, without political or civil conflicts. Nevertheless, the Baltic people themselves consider modern traditions to be a continuation of the state system before 1940, that is, before the occupation by the Soviet Union. To date, a number of resolutions of the US Senate have been signed on the forced incorporation of the Baltic states into the USSR. In this way, the Western powers are trying to turn neighboring republics and their citizens against Russia.
Conflict for last years is also aggravated by demands for compensation to the Russian Federation for the occupation. It is noteworthy that these documents contain the generalized name of the territory “Baltic”. What countries are these really? Today these include Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Concerning Kaliningrad region, then it is part of the Russian Federation to this day.
Geography of the region
The Baltic territory is located on European plain. From the north it is washed by the Gulf of Finland and the eastern border is the Polesie Lowland. The coast of the region is represented by the Estonian, Kurland, Kurgalsky and Sambian peninsulas, as well as the Curonian and Vistula spits. The largest bays are considered to be Riga, Finnish and Narva.
The highest cape is Taran (60 meters). Much of the region's coastal margin is sand and clay, as well as steep cliffs. One alone stretches 98 kilometers along the Baltic Sea. Its width in some places reaches 3800 m. The local sand dunes rank third in volume in the world (6 cubic km). Most high point The Baltic region is Mount Gaizins - more than 310 meters.
Republic of Latvia
The capital of the state is Riga. The location of the republic is Northern Europe. The country is home to about 2 million people, despite the fact that the region’s territory covers an area of only 64.6 thousand square meters. km. In terms of population, Latvia ranks 147th in the world list. All the peoples of the Baltic states and the USSR are gathered here: Russians, Poles, Belarusians, Jews, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Germans, Gypsies, etc. Naturally, the majority of the population are Latvians (77%).
The political system is a unitary republic, parliament. The region is divided into 119 administrative units.
The country's main income sources are tourism, logistics, banking and food processing.
Republic of Lithuania
The geographical location of the country is the northern part of Europe. The main city of the republic is Vilnius. It is worth noting that almost half of the Baltic population consists of Lithuanians. About 1.7 million people live in their native state. The country's total population is just under 3 million.
Lithuania is washed by the Baltic Sea, along which trade ship routes are established. Most of the territory is occupied by plains, fields and forests. There are also more than 3 thousand lakes and small rivers in Lithuania. Due to direct contact with the sea, the climate of the region is unstable and transitional. In summer, the air temperature rarely exceeds +22 degrees. The main source of government revenue is oil and gas production.
Republic of Estonia
Located on the northern coast of the Baltic Sea. The capital is Tallinn. Most of the territory is washed by the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Finland. Estonia shares a border with Russia.
The population of the republic is more than 1.3 million people, of which a third are Russians. In addition to Estonians and Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Tatars, Finns, Germans, Lithuanians, Jews, Latvians, Armenians and other peoples live here.
The main source of replenishment of the state treasury is industry. In 2011, Estonia switched its national currency to the euro. Today this parliamentary republic is considered moderately prosperous. GDP per person is about 21 thousand euros.
Kaliningrad region
This region has a unique geographical location. The fact is that this entity, which belongs to the Russian Federation, does not have common borders with the country. It is located in northern Europe in the Baltic region. Is administrative center Russia. Occupies an area of 15.1 thousand square meters. km. The population does not even reach a million - 969 thousand people.
The region borders Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. It is considered the westernmost point of Russia.
The main economic sources are the extraction of oil, coal, peat, amber, as well as the electrical engineering industry.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was interesting to see how sovereign states charted their own course to prosperity. The Baltic countries were especially intriguing, as they left with a loud slam of the door.
Over the past 30 years, the Russian Federation has been constantly bombarded with numerous claims and threats. The Baltic people believe that they have the right to this, although the desire to secede was suppressed by the USSR army. As a result of the suppression of separatism in Lithuania, 15 civilians died.
Traditionally, the Baltic states are classified as countries. This is due to the fact that this alliance was formed from liberated states after World War II. 
Some geopoliticians do not agree with this and consider the Baltic states to be an independent region, which includes:
- , capital Tallinn.
- (Riga).
- (Vilnius).
All three states are washed by the Baltic Sea. Smallest area Estonia has a population of about 1.3 million people. Next comes Latvia, where 2 million citizens live. Lithuania closes the top three with a population of 2.9 million.
Based on their small population, the Baltic states have carved out a niche among small countries. The composition of the region is multinational. In addition to indigenous peoples, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles and Finns live here.
The majority of Russian speakers are concentrated in Latvia and Estonia, about 28–30% of the population. The most “conservative” is Lithuania, where 82% of native Lithuanians live.
For reference. Although the Baltic countries are experiencing a high outflow of the working-age population, they are in no hurry to populate free territories with forced migrants from and. The leaders of the Baltic republics are trying to look for various reasons to evade their obligations to the EU on the resettlement of refugees.
Political course
Even being part of the USSR, the Baltic states were significantly different from other Soviet regions in better side. There was perfect cleanliness, a beautiful architectural heritage and an interesting population, similar to the European one.
The central street of Riga is Brivibas street, 1981.
The Baltic region has always had a desire to become part of Europe. An example was the rapidly developing state that defended its independence from the Soviets in 1917.
The chance to separate from the USSR appeared in the second half of the eighties, when democracy and glasnost came along with perestroika. This opportunity was not missed, and the republics began to openly talk about separatism. Estonia became a pioneer in the independence movement and mass protests broke out here in 1987.
Under pressure from the electorate, the Supreme Council of the ESSR issued the Declaration of Sovereignty. At the same time, Latvia and Lithuania followed the example of their neighbor, and in 1990 all three republics received autonomy. 
In the spring of 1991, referendums in the Baltic countries put an end to relations with the USSR. In the autumn of the same year, the Baltic countries joined the UN.
The Baltic republics willingly adopted the course of the West and Europe in economic and political development. Soviet heritage was condemned. Relations with the Russian Federation have completely cooled.
Russians living in the Baltic countries had limited rights. After 13 years of independence, the Baltic powers also joined the NATO military bloc.
Economic course
After gaining sovereignty, the Baltic economy underwent significant changes. The developed industrial sector has been replaced by service sectors. The importance of agriculture and food production has increased.
Modern industries include:
- Precision engineering (electrical engineering and household equipment).
- Machine tool industry.
- Ship repair.
- Chemical industry.
- Perfume industry.
- Wood processing (furniture and paper production).
- Light and footwear industry.
- Food production.
Soviet legacy in production Vehicle: cars and electric trains - completely lost. 
It is obvious that the Baltic industry is not a strong point in the post-Soviet era. The main income for these countries comes from the transit industry.
After gaining independence, all the production and transit capacities of the USSR went to the republics for free. The Russian side made no claims, used the services and paid about $1 billion a year for cargo turnover. Every year, the amount for transit grew, as the Russian economy increased its pace and cargo turnover increased.
For reference. Russian company Kuzbassrazrezugol shipped more than 4.5 million tons of coal per year to its customers through the Baltic ports.
Special attention It is worth paying attention to the Baltic monopoly on the transit of Russian oil. At one time, the forces of the USSR built the Ventspils oil terminal, the largest at that time, on the Baltic coast. A pipeline was built to it, the only one in the region. Latvia got this grandiose system for nothing.
Thanks to the built industrial infrastructure, the Russian Federation pumped over 30 million tons of oil through Latvia annually. For each barrel, Russia paid $0.7 in logistics services. The republic's income grew steadily as oil exports increased.
The transiter’s sense of self-preservation has become dulled, which will play one of the key roles in the stagnation of the economy after the 2008 crisis.
The operation of the Baltic ports was ensured, among other things, by the transshipment of sea containers (TEU). After the modernization of the port terminals of St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Ust-Luga, traffic through the Baltic states decreased to 7.1% of all Russian cargo turnover.
Nevertheless, in one year, taking into account the decline in logistics, these services continue to bring the three republics about $170 million per year. This amount was several times higher before 2014.
On a note. Despite the poor economic situation in the Russian Federation, many transport terminals have been built on its territory to date. This made it possible to significantly reduce the need for the Baltic transit and transport corridor.
The unexpected reduction in transit cargo turnover had a negative impact on the Baltic economy. As a result, ports regularly host massive layoffs workers who number thousands. At the same time, railway transportation, freight and passenger, went under the knife, bringing stable losses.
The policy of the transit state and openness to Western investors led to an increase in unemployment in all sectors. People go to more developed countries to earn money and stay there to live.
Despite the deterioration, income levels in the Baltics remain significantly higher than in other post-Soviet republics.
Jurmala lost income
The 2015 scandal in show business became a stone in the garden of the Latvian economy. Some popular singers from the Russian Federation were banned from entering the country by Latvian politicians. As a result, the New Wave festival is now held in Sochi.
In addition, the KVN program refused to hold team performances in Jurmala. As a result, the tourism industry lost a lot of money.
After this, Russians began to buy less residential real estate in the Baltic countries. People are afraid that they might fall under the political millstone.
