GEEO Baltics Google Earth Presentation

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USA

Today I’d like to share with you a great experience I had while traveling to a region called the Baltics through a non-profit organization called GEEO. GEEO helps educators travel abroad so that they can learn more about different cultures to share with their students. I was joined on my trip by teachers from all around the United States.

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Europe

We traveled across the Atlantic Ocean from North America to Europe. Europe and Asia share a long land border to the east, but Europe is conventionally understood as a separate continent—one of seven on Earth. The ancient Greeks are the ones who created the concept of continents as we think of them today.

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Baltics

My travels were in a part of Europe called the Baltics. We visited four different countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, which all border the Baltic Sea.

All four countries are also part of the European Union, or the EU, an organization made up of 27 European countries that work together to promote peace, unity, and cooperation, with common rules and standards for things like trade, human rights, and the environment.

There are 19 EU countries, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland, that are also part of the Eurozone. These countries share a common currency called the Euro, making it easier for people to trade and travel between those countries.

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Baltic Sea

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are referred to as the Baltic States. Finland also borders the Baltic Sea and is separated from Estonia by the Gulf of Finland. All four countries were part of the Russian Empire until World War I, when they won their independence. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were then forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union during World War II, before gaining their independence again in 1991. Today, all four countries are democracies with rapidly expanding economies.

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Lithuania

Our trip began in Lithuania, which is the largest of the three Baltic States. Lithuania has a population of about 2.8 million people, and its official language is Lithuanian, one of the oldest surviving languages in the world.

When Lithuania was a part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, there were attempts to suppress the Lithuanian language, but the Lithuanian people fiercely fought to preserve their language and cultural identity, and after gaining independence in 1991, there was a renewed emphasis on promoting the use of the Lithuanian language in all aspects of society.

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Vilnius

Our first stop was Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital and largest city. About one third of Lithuania lives in the Vilnius metropolitan area. (A metropolitan area is a major city plus its suburbs and nearby cities and towns that have significant economic and social ties. [Can you use your city or a nearby city as an example?])

Vilnius is well known for its beautifully preserved Old Town that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do you know what a UNESCO World Heritage Site is? It is a landmark or area designated by the United Nations for having cultural or historical significance. The program is intended to conserve sites for future generations.

Vilnius’s Old Town is one of the largest medieval city centers in Europe, with cobblestone streets, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and old churches painted in pastel colors.

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Vilnius Cathedral

This is Vilnius Cathedral, built in 1783 on a piece of land where Lithuanians have worshiped for hundreds of years, as far back as their pre-Christian pagan days. The church has held many important ceremonies, such as the coronations of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. It is the burial place of several famous people from Lithuanian history.

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Gediminas’ Tower

Uphill from the cathedral is Gediminas’ Tower, named after the Grand Duke Gediminas, one of the most prominent rulers in Lithuanian history who ruled the country during the Middle Ages. According to legend, Gediminas had a dream of a wolf made of iron howling on this hill. His pagan priest interpreted the dream as a sign to build a city that would become the magnificent capital of Lithuania. So Gediminas built the first wooden fortifications on this site, and they were replaced later in the 14th century by a brick castle, including this tower.

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Gediminas’ Tower

The tall tower offers great panoramic views of the city. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top for views of the Old Town and the surrounding areas. On the right is Vilnius Cathedral, with the Old Town off in the background.

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Trakai Castle

We visited Trakai (pronunciation) Island Castle, which is about 45 minutes out of town by bus. It was built in the late 14th century on an island in Lake Galvė. It is one of the most famous and iconic landmarks in Lithuania and is a popular tourist attraction.

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Curonian Spit

We then traveled to a strip of land called the Curonian Spit. The Curonian Spit is a 60-mile long, narrow sand dune that separates the Baltic Sea from an inland body of water called the Curonian Lagoon. The Curonian Spit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The northern portion is part of Lithuania, and the southern portion lies within Kaliningrad, which is part of Russia. We stayed in a small Lithuanian tourist resort town called Nida.

The strip of land is home to the highest drifting sand dunes in Europe, with some reaching 200 feet. It is also an ideal area for birdwatching, as between 10 and 20 million birds fly over during the seasonal migrations, and many stop to rest and breed. It has beautiful beaches, and both the Lithuanian and Russian sections are national parks.

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Hill of Witches

The area is also known for its ties to paganism. We went on a bike tour to visit the Hill of Witches (Raganų Kalnas in Lithuanian). The forested hills used to be the site of dancing and gathering during pagan festivals. Now, the hills are dotted with about 80 wooden sculptures created by local artists along a series of trails. The sculptures depict witches, dragons, the elements, and characters from Lithuanian folklore and pagan traditions.

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Lighthouse

During our free time, some of us chose to visit the Nida Lighthouse. The original lighthouse in Nida was constructed in the 1860s and 1870s. It is 88 feet tall and built of red brick, with 200 steps to the top. In 1944, at the end of WWII, German soldiers blew up the lighthouse, but it was rebuilt in 1945 and renovated in 1953.

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Ethnographic Fisherman’s Museum

This homestead is on the shore of the lagoon in the southern part of old Nida, in the former village of Haken. It was built by local craftsmen in 1927, and it is typical of many of the homes in this area where fishermen and their families lived.

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Latvia

We left Lithuania and traveled north to our next country, Latvia. Latvia has a population of around 2 million people. The official language is Latvian, which is similar to Lithuanian; the two languages have some similar words, but the languages are not similar enough for someone who only speaks one language to be understood by someone who only speaks the other language.

Latvia has a fascinating history that includes periods of German, Swedish, Polish, and Russian rule, which have all contributed to its distinctive identity. Despite being ruled by foreign powers from the 13th to 20th centuries, the Latvian nation maintained its own cultural identity throughout the generations, including through its language and musical traditions. The country hosts a Nationwide Song and Dance Festival every year, and Latvians take pride in their folk songs, known as “dainas,” which often reflect themes of nature, love, and daily life and have been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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Riga

We stayed in Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia. Riga was founded in the early 13th century; it was officially established as a city in 1201 by the German bishop Albert of Riga. The city’s strategic location on the Baltic Sea and the main river in Latvia, the Daugava River, contributed to its growth and development as an important trading hub in the region. Over the centuries, Riga flourished as a center of commerce, culture, and political power, leaving behind a rich architectural and historical legacy that can still be admired in its well-preserved Old Town today.

We wandered around the cobbled streets of the city’s medieval Old Town, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We saw some of the main landmarks, such as the magnificent Riga Cathedral and the iconic House of the Blackheads.

Here is an aerial 360º view of the Old Town where you can pan and zoom on different parts of the city.

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Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Some of us visited the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Each of the Baltic States has their own museum to educate the public about the 51-year period in the 20th century when Latvia was successively occupied by the USSR (in 1940–1941), then by Nazi Germany (in 1941–1944), and then again by the USSR (in 1944–1991). Through exhibits, photographs, and personal accounts, the museum sheds light on the struggles, resilience, and sacrifices of the Latvian people during those challenging times.

The museum is on the right, and on the left is the House of the Blackheads, which was originally built as a guild for unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga.

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Riga Central Market

We also visited the Central Market, housed in repurposed Zeppelin hangars from World War I. Does anyone know what a Zeppelin is? It is an airship similar to a blimp – except blimps are inflated like a balloon, while zeppelins have a hard metal exterior. The most famous zeppelin was the Hindenburg – has anyone heard of it? It was a zeppelin from Germany and caught fire and was destroyed while visiting the United States in one of the most famous disasters in aviation history.

The market in Riga is located in five hangars where zeppelin aircraft were once kept. The hangers were originally built in the 1920s, and each hangar is dedicated to different types of goods, creating distinct sections within the market. It is Europe’s largest market, and you can find a wide variety of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, baked goods, spices, flowers, and much more.

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Estonia

The third of the Baltic States is Estonia, which is where we went next. Estonia has a population of roughly 1.3 million people, making it the smallest of the three Baltic countries. Its official language is Estonian, and while the Latvian and Lithuanian are “Baltic” languages, Estonian is closely related to Finnish, the language of nearby Finland. Estonia has strong cultural and economic ties to Finland.

Like its fellow Baltic States, Estonia also spent much of its history under the occupation of other countries, particularly the Germans, Danes, Swedes, and Russians. Like Latvia and Lithuania, it gained its freedom in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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Saaremaa

Our time in Estonia began on the remote island of Saaremaa, where we had the unique opportunity to spend three nights on a farm. Saaremaa has a rich history that includes Viking ancestors! Despite being part of Estonia and having been ruled by various powers such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, Saaremaa has maintained its distinctiveness due to its isolated location. It’s like a scene from a fairy tale, with picturesque thatched-roof houses, stone walls, and charming windmills.

During our time on Saaremaa, we explored a lovely oak forest, which is home to rare flora, including delicate orchids. We also visited a bird watching platform to observe the island’s diverse birdlife. We visited a group of windmills and ate traditional baked goods.

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Kuressaare Castle

While on the island, we visited Kuressaare castle, which is considered one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Estonia. The castle is believed to have been originally built in the 1380s by Christian crusaders trying to spread Christianity in the Baltics. The castle later served as a stronghold against pirates and invaders, and today it houses the Saaremaa Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the island’s Viking connections, medieval history, and periods of occupation.

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Tallinn

Our next stop was Tallinn, the capital and largest city of Estonia. Situated on the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn is just a short distance from Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The city was known as Reval from the 13th century until 1917, but the name was changed to the Estonian name for the city, Tallinn, when Estonia first gained independence from the Russian Empire after World War I.

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Tallinn’s Old Town

The Old Town of Tallinn, or Vanalinn, is the oldest part of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has managed to wholly preserve its medieval structure. Stepping into its cobblestone streets, you are transported back in time, surrounded by castle towers, high city walls, and medieval buildings.

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Kadriorg Palace

This is the Kadriorg (pronunciation) Palace, built in 1718 by Peter the Great for Catherine I of Russia after the capture of Estonia from the Swedes. The palace now houses an art museum and is a great example of the grandeur and opulence of the Russian baroque architecture style. Its name, Kadriorg, translates to “Catherine’s Valley” in Estonian. The palace is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, adorned with fountains, statues, and colorful flower beds. Today, Kadriorg Palace houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, displaying a diverse collection of European art from the 16th to the 20th century.

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Ferry to Helsinki

After spending a day in Tallinn, we took a ferry to the charming capital city of Finland, Helsinki.

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Finland

Finland is much larger than the Baltic States, with over 5.5 million people and an area twice the size of the Baltic States combined. It was part of Sweden for several centuries before coming under Russian rule in the early 19th century, gaining independence in 1917. Unlike the Baltic States, Finland did not become part of the USSR after WWII.

Although it borders the Baltic Sea, Finland is not considered a Baltic State. However, it shares similar climate and culture with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and has close economic ties with the region. Like the Baltic States, Finland is part of the European Union, the Eurozone, and—as of April 2023—NATO.

Finland consistently ranks in the top 5 happiest countries in the UN’s annual World Happiness Report. Finns have a high standard of living with excellent healthcare, education, and social security systems. The country values community and social cohesion, ranks high in trust in government, and has low corruption. Finnish people have shorter working hours than most countries, generous parental leave, and strong employee rights. This allows time for leisure, family, and personal pursuits, contributing to overall happiness.

Finland is also known for stunning natural landscapes and outdoor activities. The country’s forests, lakes, and recreation opportunities promote healthy lifestyles and connection with nature, linked to higher happiness levels.

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Helsinki

We visited the capital, Helsinki, which sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. The city’s main street, Mannerheimintie (pronunciation), has many significant institutions like the National Museum and the Parliament House. There is also the Kiasma (pronunciation), a contemporary art museum that showcases thought-provoking works by local and international artists.