Estonian SSR

Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik

(In Detail) (In Detail)
State motto: Kõigi maade proletaarlased, ühinege
Official language	According to the constition, all languages were equal. However, Russian was supposed to be the language of international communication, thus putting Estonian at a disadvantage.
Capital	Tallinn
Chairman of the Supreme Council	Arnold Rüütel (at the time of regaining independence)
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 13th in former Soviet Union 45,226 km² 4.56%
Population  - Total (1989)  - Density	Ranked 15th (last) in the former Soviet Union 1,565,662 31,6/km²
Currency	Ruble (rubla)
Time zone	UTC + 3
Anthem	Anthem of Estonian SSR

History

The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (Estonian S.S.R.) was the name for Estonia when it was part of the USSR, occupied by the USSR on 17 June 1940. It was subsequently conquered by the Germans before being re-annexed by the Soviets in 1944.

The Estonian SSR was a constituent republic of the USSR; its economy, however, fared better than other Soviet states. Today, Estonia remains the wealthiest of the states of the former USSR. It was one of the smallest republics of the USSR and was also smaller than most European countries. In addition to the mainland, it covered over 1500 islands.

Approximately 65% of the population were ethnic Estonians (1979), although there was a large Russian minority (28%). Other statistically noteworthy minorities included Ukrainians (2.5%), Belarusians (± 2%) and Finns (± 1.5%).

The Estonian SSR became the Republic of Estonia in 1990 and ceased to be a Soviet republic in 1991. On 20 August of that year, Estonia declared its independence.

See also

• Flag of Estonian SSR