Today, the Baltic 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 Ostsee Region. Deal with the question: "The Baltics - what are the countries and states?" - Historical and economic reviews of the region will help.

The formation of the region

The very word "Baltic" 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 in the 16th century for the most part made up the population of the Baltic states. Many local residents left the region in search of a quiet life, and conquering families moved in their place. For a while, the region became known as Sveiskaya.

Endless bloody wars thanks to Peter I, whose army did not leave even a wet place from the enemy forces of the Swedes. Now the peoples of the Baltic States could sleep peacefully without worrying about tomorrow. The united region began to bear the name of the Ostsee province, which is part of

Many historians are still struggling with the question of what kind of countries the Baltics were at that time. It is difficult to answer it unambiguously, because in the 18th century dozens of peoples with their own culture and traditions lived on the territory. The region was divided into administrative parts, provinces, but there were no states as such. The demarcation took place much later, as evidenced by numerous records in historical documents.

During the First World War, the Baltic states were occupied by German troops. For many years the region remained a German duchy in Russia. And only decades later, the monarchical system began to be divided into bourgeois and capitalist republics.

Accession to the USSR

The Baltic States in modern form began to form only in the early 1990s. However, the territorial formation took place in the post-war period in the late 1940s. The accession of the Baltic States to the Soviet Union is dated August 1939 under a mutual non-aggression pact between the USSR and the German Republic. The agreement spelled out 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 sure that the region was totally occupied Soviet power. But do they remember, the Baltics - what are the countries 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 excesses. 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 republics

After the collapse of the USSR, many countries gained legalized sovereignty, but the Baltic states gained independence in early 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 and civil conflicts. Nevertheless, the Baltics themselves consider modern traditions to be a continuation of the state system until 1940, that is, before the occupation by the Soviet Union. To date, a number of resolutions have been signed by the US Senate on the forcible incorporation of the Baltic States into the USSR. Thus, the Western powers are trying to turn the neighboring republics and their citizens against Russia.

conflict over last years exacerbated by the demands for payment of compensation to the Russian Federation for the occupation. It is noteworthy that in these documents the generalized name of the territory "Baltic" appears. What are the real countries? These include today Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. As for the Kaliningrad region, it is part of the Russian Federation to this day.

Geography of the region

The territory of the Baltic States is located on the European Plain. From the north, it is washed by the Gulf of Finland and the eastern border is, and the southwestern - the Polissya lowland. The coast of the region is represented by the Estonian, Courland, Kurgalsky and Sambian peninsulas, as well as the Curonian and Vistula spits. The largest bays are Riga, Finnish and Narva.

The highest cape is Taran (60 meters). A significant part of the coastal border of the region is sand and clay, as well as steep cliffs. One only stretches for 98 kilometers along the Baltic Sea. Its width in some places reaches 3800 m. The local sand dunes are the third largest in the world in terms of volume (6 cubic km). The highest point in the Baltics 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. About 2 million people live in the country, despite the fact that the territory of the region 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 state system is a unitary republic, parliament. The region is divided into 119 administrative divisions.

The country's main sources of income are tourism, logistics, banking and the food industry.

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 population of the Baltic states consists of Lithuanians. About 1.7 million people live in their native state. The total population of the country 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, transitional. In summer, the air temperature rarely exceeds +22 degrees. The main source of government revenue is oil and gas production.

Republic of Estonia

It is 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 common border with Russia.

The population of the republic is more than 1.3 million people, of which a third is occupied by 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, the national currency was converted to the euro in Estonia. 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 subject, which belongs to Russian Federation, has no common borders with the country. It is located in the north of Europe in the Baltic region. It is the administrative center of Russia. It occupies an area of ​​15.1 thousand square meters. km. The population does not even reach a million - 969 thousand people.

The region borders on 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 industry.

The Baltic population of the Baltic States and the Russians had long-standing, centuries-old, good-neighborly contacts, the beginning of which dates back to the very foundation of the Russian state in the 9th century. Suffice it to recall the foundation in 1030 by the Grand Duke Yaroslav the Wise of the Yuryev fortress near Lake Peipus(now - the city of Tartu in Estonia). These lands were vassals of Kievan Rus, then - the Novgorod Republic. Russian principalities contributed cultural development this region, brought Orthodox Christianity to the Baltic states. However, during the period of feudal fragmentation of the Russian lands, the Baltic states left the sphere of our influence.

In 1219, the Danes undertook a crusade and captured the north of Estonia, but already in 1223, the local population raised an uprising against the Danes and called on Russian principalities for help. The Russians came to the rescue, but the defeat of the Russian troops from the Mongols on the Kalka in 1223 forced us to transfer forces from the Baltic to the defense of the Russian lands. As a result, by 1227 the troops of Denmark and the Order of the Sword-bearers recaptured Estonia. According to the treaty of 1238, Estonia was divided between Denmark and the Order: the Danes got the north, and the Germans got the south of Estonia. The crusaders were engaged in the systematic extermination of the Estonians, forcibly converting them to Catholicism and killing those who disagreed. This led to a series of uprisings against German-Danish domination, but without Russian help, these uprisings were doomed to failure, and Russia itself was then under the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
According to the agreement of 1346, the Danish king sold his Estonian possessions to the Livonian Order, which since then has owned the whole of Estonia.

The arrival of the Germans in the Baltic States began from the territory of modern Latvia. In 1197 - 1199. German knights undertook a successful campaign, landing their army from the sea at the mouth of the Western Dvina, and conquered part of Livonia. In 1201 they founded the fortress of Riga. At that time, the armor were vassals of the Russian principalities and enjoyed their protection, and the fortresses of the Polotsk principality were located in the upper reaches of the Western Dvina. As a result, already in 1207, the first military conflict broke out between the Order of the Sword-bearers and the Principality of Polotsk.

As a result of long wars and raids, the German knights established themselves in the lands of Latvia and Estonia, uniting in the Livonian Order. The order led a very cruel, bloody policy towards the local population. So, the Baltic people of the Prussians, related to modern Latvians and Lithuanians, were completely exterminated by the German knights. The Lats and Estonians were forcibly converted to Catholicism.

The state of the Livonian Order on the territory of Latvia and Estonia existed until the Livonian War, launched by the strengthened Russian state under Ivan the Terrible to protect Russian lands from the threat from the crusaders and to protect the local population from German arbitrariness. In 1561, after military defeats from Russian troops, Grand Master Gotthard Kettler accepted the title of Duke of Courland and recognized himself as a vassal of Poland. As a result of the Livonian War, which ended in 1583, Estonia and the north of Latvia (Lifland) were ceded to Sweden, and the south of Latvia (Courland) became a vassal possession of Poland.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Russia and Zhamois, as this state was fully called, existed from the 13th century to 1795. Now Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine are located on its territory. According to the most common version, the Lithuanian state was founded by Prince Mindovg around 1240, who united the Lithuanian tribes and began to progressively annex the fragmented Russian principalities. This policy was continued by the descendants of Mindovg, especially the Grand Dukes Gediminas (1316 - 1341), Olgerd (1345 - 1377) and Vitovt (1392 - 1430). Under them, Lithuania annexed the lands of White, Black and Red Russia, and also conquered the mother of Russian cities, Kyiv, from the Tatars. The official language of the Grand Duchy was Russian (this is how it was called in the documents, Ukrainian and Belarusian nationalists call it, respectively, "Old Ukrainian" and "Old Belarusian").

Since 1385, several unions have been concluded between Lithuania and Poland. The Lithuanian gentry began to adopt the Polish language, Polish culture, to move from Orthodoxy to Catholicism. The local population was subjected to harassment on religious grounds. A few centuries earlier than in Muscovite Russia, in Lithuania (following the example of the possessions of the Livonian Order) serfdom was introduced: Orthodox Russian peasants became the personal property of the Polonized gentry, who converted to Catholicism. Religious uprisings flared in Lithuania, and the remaining Orthodox gentry appealed to Russia. In 1558 the Livonian War began.

During the Livonian War, suffering tangible defeats from the Russian troops, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1569 went to the signing of the Union of Lublin: Ukraine completely departed from the Principality of Poland, and the lands of Lithuania and Belarus that remained in the Principality of the Principality were with Poland part of the confederate Commonwealth, subject to the foreign policy of Poland.

The results of the Livonian War of 1558 - 1583 consolidated the position of the Baltic States for a century and a half before the start of the Northern War of 1700-1721.

The accession of the Baltic States to Russia during the Northern War coincided with the implementation of the Petrine reforms. Then Livonia and Estonia became part of the Russian Empire. Peter I himself tried in a non-military way to establish relations with the local German nobility, the descendants of the German knights. Estonia and Vidzeme were the first to be annexed (as a result of the war in 1721). And only 54 years later, following the results of the third section of the Commonwealth, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Duchy of Courland and Semigalle became part of the Russian Empire after Catherine II signed the manifestos of April 15 and December 19, 1795.

At the time of the annexation of Livonia and Estonia in the Baltic territory, most of the nobility were Germans. This is explained by the fact that the knighthood of the order until the XVI century. regularly replenished by newcomers from Germany. Contrary to fears, no infringement of rights from Peter I and subsequent tsars was observed, rather, on the contrary, the economic and judicial systems were gradually settled. In Estland and Livonia, after being incorporated into Russia, the local legislative body was retained, in the provinces that were previously part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Vilna, Vitebsk, Grodno, Minsk, Mogilev provinces), the effect of the Lithuanian Statute of 1588 was retained. or restrictions received the rights and privileges of the Russian nobility. Moreover, the Baltic Germans (mostly descendants of German knights from the Livonian and Courland provinces) were, if not more influential, then at least no less influential than the Russians, nationality in the Empire: numerous dignitaries of the Empire were of Baltic origin. Catherine II carried out a number of administrative reforms regarding the administration of provinces, the rights of cities, where the independence of governors increased, but the actual power, in the realities of the time, was in the hands of the local, Baltic nobility.

By 1917, the Baltic lands were divided into Estland (center in Reval - now Tallinn), Livonia (center - Riga), Courland (center in Mitava - now Jelgava) and Vilna province (center in Vilna - now Vilnius). The provinces were characterized by a large mixture of population: by the beginning of the 20th century. about 4 million people lived in the provinces, about half of them were Lutherans, about a quarter were Catholics, and about 16% were Orthodox. The provinces were inhabited by Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Germans, Russians, Poles, in the Vilna province there was a relatively high proportion of the Jewish population.

It should be noted that in the Empire the population of the Baltic provinces was never subjected to any kind of discrimination. On the contrary, in the Estland and Livland provinces, serfdom was abolished, for example, much earlier than in the rest of Russia, already in 1819. Provided that the local population knew the Russian language, there were no restrictions on admission to public service. The imperial government actively developed the local industry. Riga shared with Kiev the right to be the third most important administrative, cultural and industrial center of the Empire after St. Petersburg and Moscow.

With great respect, the tsarist government treated local customs and legal orders.

As we can see, neither in medieval history, nor in the history of the tsarist period, there was any tension in relations between the Russian and the Baltic peoples. On the contrary, it was in Russia that these peoples found a source of protection from foreign oppression, found support for the development of their culture and the preservation of their identity under the reliable protection of the Empire.

But even the Russian-Baltic history, rich in traditions of good neighborliness, turned out to be powerless in front of contemporary issues in relations between countries caused by the period of communist rule.

In 1917 - 1920. the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) gained independence from Russia. At the same time, many representatives of the Russian nobility, officers, merchants, and intelligentsia found refuge in the Baltic States, forced to flee Russia after the victory of the Reds in the fratricidal civil war. But, as you know, in 1940, after the conclusion of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, the inclusion of Baltic States into the USSR, which was accompanied by mass repressions and deportations on social and political grounds against the local population by the Soviet punitive authorities. Communist repressions, both in 1940-1941, as well as the actual Civil War in the Baltic States in the 1940s - 1950s for the return of countries to the path of independent civilized development against the communists, left a deep painful scar in the historical memory of Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians.

In 1990, the Baltic states proclaimed the restoration of state sovereignty. An attempt by the communists to retain power by force, throwing tanks and riot police against peaceful demonstrations in Vilnius and Riga, did not bring success. Communism in the Baltics fell. Unfortunately, many now identify Russians and communists. On the part of the Baltic states, this entails spreading the guilt of the communist government to the entire Russian people, from which the Russian people also suffered, which causes Russophobia. On the part of the Russians, this, alas, causes attempts to justify the crimes of the communists, which have no justification. But even with such relations in recent decades, it is worth noting that until now the population of the Baltic countries, in addition to the official language, also speaks Russian. Economic, cultural and tourist relations are developing between Russia and the Baltic states. We are connected by family ties, long history and culture. I would like to believe that in the future the relations between the Baltic countries and Russia will become friendly and neighborly again, because history tends to repeat itself not only in something negative...

Baltic, also Baltic(German: Baltikum) - an area in Northern Europe, which includes the territories of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, as well as the former East Prussia. From the name of this territory comes the name of one of the Indo-Germanic language groups - the Balts. .

The indigenous population of the Baltic countries, as a rule, do not use the term "Baltic", considering it a relic of the Soviet era, and prefer to talk about the "Baltic countries". In Estonian there is only the word Baltimaad (Baltic countries), it is translated into Russian as Baltic, Baltic or Baltic. In Latvian and Lithuanian, the word Baltija is used in relation to the region.

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Lithuania (lit. Lietuva)

the official name of the Republic of Lithuania (lit. Lietuvos Respublika), is a state in Europe, on east coast the Baltic Sea. In the north it borders with Latvia, in the southeast - with Belarus, in the southwest - with Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Member of NATO (since 2004), EU (since 2004), WTO, UN. A country that has signed the Schengen Agreement. Kaunas was the capital from 1919 to 1939. The capital of modern Lithuania is Vilnius (from 1939 to the present). The state emblem - Chase or Vytis (lit. Vytis) - a white horseman (Vityaz) on a red background, the national flag - yellow-green-red.

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

In the XIII-XIV centuries, the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania grew rapidly and reached the shores of the Black Sea. At the same time, the Lithuanian princes fought hard with the Teutonic Order, which was defeated in 1410 in the Battle of Grunwald by the combined forces of the Lithuanian lands and Poland.

In 1385, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Jagiello (Jogaila), by the Treaty of Kreva, undertook to unite Lithuania and Poland in a personal union if he was elected king of Poland. In 1386 he was crowned King of Poland. In 1387 Lithuania was baptized and adopted Western Christianity as its official religion. Since 1392, Lithuania was actually ruled by Grand Duke Vytautas (Vytautas; Vytautas), cousin and formal governor of Jogaila. During his reign (1392-1430) Lithuania reached the height of its power.

Casimir Jagiellon expanded the international influence of the Jagiellonian dynasty - he subjugated Prussia to Poland, put his son on the Czech and Hungarian thrones. In 1492-1526, there was a political system of the Jagiellonian states, covering Poland (with vassals of Prussia and Moldova), Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

In 1569, a union was concluded with Poland in Lublin (on the eve of the Ukrainian lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were annexed to Poland). According to the act of the Union of Lublin, Lithuania and Poland were ruled by a jointly elected king, and state affairs were decided in a common Seimas. However, the legal systems, army and governments remained separate. In the 16th-18th centuries, gentry democracy dominated in Lithuania, the polonization of the gentry and its rapprochement with the Polish gentry took place. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was losing its Lithuanian national character, Polish culture was developing in it.

As part of Russian Empire

In the XVIII century, after the Northern War, the Polish-Lithuanian state fell into decay, falling under the protectorate of Russia. In 1772, 1793 and 1795 the entire territory of Poland and the GDL was divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria. Most of the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was annexed to Russia. Attempts to restore statehood caused the transition of the Polish-Lithuanian nobility to the side of Napoleon in 1812, as well as the uprisings of 1830-1831 and 1863-1864, which ended in defeat. In the second half of the 19th century, a national movement began to take shape.

Latvia, Republic of Latvia

(Latvian Latvija, Latvijas Republika) - the Baltic state, the capital is Riga (721 thousand people, 2006). Geographically belongs to Northern Europe. The country was named after the ethnonym of the people - Latvies (Latvian latvieši). Member of the EU and NATO, member of the Schengen agreements. Latvia first emerged as an independent state in 1918 (the Riga Peace Treaty of 1920 between the RSFSR and Latvia). From 1940 to 1991 it was part of the USSR as the Latvian SSR.

1201 - Bishop Albert von Buxgevden founded the city of Riga on the site of Liv villages. For better organization of the incorporation of the lands of the Livs and Latgalians into the bosom of the church (and at the same time their political subjugation), he also founded the Order of the Swordsmen (after the defeat in the Battle of Saul, the Livonian Order as part of the Teutonic Order), which later became an independent political and economic force; the order and the bishop often fought with each other. [source?] In 1209, the bishop and the order agreed on the division of the occupied and not yet occupied lands. On the map of Europe, the state formation of the German crusaders appeared - Livonia (by the name of the local ethnos Livs). It included the territory of present-day Estonia and Latvia. Many Livonian cities subsequently became members of the prosperous North European trade union - the Hansa. However, later, torn apart by internecine skirmishes of the Order, the Bishopric of Riga (from 1225 - the Archbishopric of Riga) and other, more insignificant bishops, as well as their vassals, Livonia began to weaken, which drew increased attention to it from the surrounding states - the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Russia and later also Sweden and Denmark. Moreover, Livonia (especially Riga, which was the largest of the cities of the Hanseatic Trade Union), due to its geographical location, has always been an important trading region (in the past, part of the “Road from the Varangians to the Greeks” ran through its lands).

17th century

During the 17th century - the formation of the Latvian nation as a result of the consolidation of individual peoples: Latgalians, villages, Semigallians, Curonians and Livs. Some of the Latgalians still retain their original language, although in Latvia and even among the Latgalians themselves there are so many dialects and dialects that many historians and linguists consider this language one of the “big” dialects of Latvian. [source?] This is the official position of the state , from this side, supported by a very strong feeling of patriotism among Latvians (three stars on the coat of arms of Latvia and in the hands of the woman-Freedom on top of the monument of the same name in the center of Riga symbolize the three regions of Latvia - Kurzeme-Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale)

18th century

1722 - as a result of the Northern War, part of the territory of modern Latvia departs to the Russian Empire. 1795 - under the third partition of Poland, the entire territory of present-day Latvia was united as part of Russia.

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 formations 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 of the Russian Federation belongs to this region. Almost immediately, the economies of the Baltic republics showed rapid growth.

For example, GDP (according to PPP) per capita from 1993 to 2008 there grew 3.6 times, reaching $18 thousand in Latvia, $19.5 thousand in Lithuania, and $22 thousand in Estonia. in Russia it only doubled and amounted to $21.6 thousand. On this basis, the ruling elites of the Baltics, imitating Japan and South Korea, proudly began to call themselves the Baltic economic tigers. They say, give a deadline, just a few more years, and then we will show everyone who fed whom in the Soviet Union.

Seven years have passed since then, but for some reason the miracle did not happen. And where could he have come from 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 about the unnecessary apples and the Finns with their suddenly overstocked dairy industry. Against this background, the problems of Lithuania, which supplied Russia with 76.13% of its own vegetables and 67.89% of fruits, did not seem 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 output in Lithuania, in pieces, in tons, in money. As, however, in Latvia and Estonia too.

Own production in the post-Soviet period 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 got the ports for nothing, through which the cargo turnover of about 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 loading terminal, which was powerful at that time, on the coast and extended the only transport pipeline in the region there. When “gaining independence”, all this economy went to Latvia for free.

So in the 1990s, she received a pipe through which the former "occupier" pumped more than 30 million tons of oil and oil products per year. Considering that logistics cost about $0.7 per barrel, and 7.33 barrels per ton, then, according to the most conservative estimates, Latvians earned $153.93 million every year. growth of Russian oil exports.

While Russian liberals were slandering the country for its too resource-based structure of the economy, by 2009 the total volume of foreign deliveries of Russian oil reached 246 million tons, of which 140 million tons passed through the Baltic ports a 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 of the Leningrad region, but the Balts greatly hampered their development by all available means. Apparently, it is not necessary to specifically explain why.

The second important source of "road money" for the Baltic ports was the transshipment of sea containers (TEU). Even now, when St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Ust-Luga are included in active work, 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 take from $180 to $230 for transshipment of one TEU, which brings them about $177.7 million per year for the three of them. Moreover, these figures reflect the situation for 2014. Ten years ago, the share of the Balts in container logistics was about three times higher.

In addition to oil, coal and containers by the Baltic Sea, Russia transports mineral fertilizers, of which more than 1.71 million tons were shipped through Riga in 2014 alone, 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, it can be said with certainty that until 2004, about 90% of all Russian "sea" exports passed through the Baltic states, providing the "tigers" with at least 18-19% of their total GDP. To this, rail transit should be added. For example, in 2006, Estonia alone received an average of 32.4 trains from Russia per day, which alone brought about $117 million annually to the port of Tallinn!

Thus, for twenty years, in general, for a circle, 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 very actively shouted 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.

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 ahead of 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 simply was no alternative and, therefore, this anti-Russian freebie at the Russian expense (!) would last forever.

Building a new port like Riga from scratch costs about four years of Latvian GDP. I specifically emphasize that for four years the whole country, from babies to decrepit old people, must not drink, not eat, not spend a penny on anything else, only work together to build a port. The improbability of such a scenario made the Baltic geopolitical moseks convinced of their absolute impunity. Allowing both to 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 such a state of affairs - the loud barking of small geopolitical dwarfs - did not cause 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 of the transition from 12 to 6 train pairs in rail transport with Estonia - is just the final point of the party, which began on June 15, 2000, when the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation began to implement the project to build a port in Ust-Luga. Although it would be more correct to speak of a whole program that provided for the accelerated 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 by the end of 2014, Russian ports 9% of the total container turnover in the Baltic, and this figure continues to grow very rapidly.

Gradually improving the port economy and developing its own transport infrastructure, Russia today has come to the conclusion 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 is 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 a Baltic transit transport corridor has practically disappeared. For rail transportation - five times. For containers - at four. In terms of general cargo - three. In 2015 alone, the transportation of oil and oil products through neighboring 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. Nevertheless, by and large, everything - the freebie is over. Now Russophobes can walk on their own.

The sharp decline in the 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. In fact, Estonia started to fuss because it suddenly realized that by the end of this year, about 6,000 people could be out of work in the port of Tallinn. And even up to 1.2 thousand will have to be cut on the railway, of which at least 500 people - in the next 2-3 months.

Moreover, the fall in freight traffic is finally derailing the entire economy. railways both Estonia itself and neighboring Lithuania and Latvia. They become totally unprofitable both in the cargo and passenger segments.

For a country with just over 500,000 employees, of which 372,000 are employed in the service sector, this is not just a sad prospect, but the collapse of the entire economy. So they ran to appease, buy and atone for sins in all sorts of other ways. But, as they say, the train has left. Having made an unconditional stake on the EU and the USA, a stake on the destruction and humiliation of the Baltic Russians, a stake 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 collisions, the life of the Baltic economy throughout the post-Soviet years was provided only thanks to one thing - trade relations with Russia. And Russia endured for a long time, urged, admonished, persuaded the Baltic elite, receiving only spit 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, they can be congratulated - they have achieved their goal.

In the next year and a half, we can expect a final and progressive decline in trade, after which the Baltic economy will go down in a copper basin and return to what it was two hundred years ago - and become a deaf, poor, impoverished and useless region. Moreover, they look equally unpromising from Brussels, from Moscow, and from Washington.

At the same time, you can bet that both American tanks and NATO fighters will evaporate from there, since there will also be no need to defend these backwoods. Therefore, they will most likely be expelled from NATO in the next five years as well. There will be no miracle. The freebie is over. Russia will not forgive and will not forget the mockery that geopolitical mongrels allowed themselves against Russia and Russians.

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The Baltic States - the world of harmony

Everyone who has ever been to the Baltics says that this amazing land has everything - the marvelous peace of nature, the soft beauty of spacious fields and dense forests, the grandeur of modern megacities and the flavor of small villages. You will love this region at first sight and forever!

The Baltic States - its beautiful expanses

The nature of this marvelous land captivates the imagination. All tourists remember its simple harmonious beauty. The expanses of the forests of the Curonian Spit, the sands of the dunes, the blue of the sea depths, and also the endless sky and a pleasant sea breeze remain in memory. Each of the Baltic countries is unique and inimitable, although initially they seem very similar to tourists. Getting acquainted with the peculiarities of each country, you will see how distinctive and charming each of them is.

What you need to know before traveling to the Baltic States?

A visa is required to travel to this country. To do this, you will need a certificate from the place of work, passport, photo, passport, 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, the “May” weather begins in early April. On the west coast and islands, the influence of the maritime climate is very visible. Temperatures in different regions also differ significantly. In February on about. Saaremaa - 3°C, while in Narva - 8°C. In summer (July), the temperature on the continent and islands is about 17°C. In the western regions, temperatures are usually a few degrees cooler. Humidity in the region ranges from 470 mm (seaside plains) to 800 mm (Vidzeme upland).

In Lithuania, there are more contrasting drops, since the maritime climate does not have a strong influence. The average winter temperature ranges from -2° to -5°C, and the summer temperature is 20-22°C.

Interesting and geographical location region, because it is the center of Europe. The highest mountain bears the strange name of Suur Munamägi. She is certainly not the only one. There are several uplands in the Baltics, such as Vidzeme, Samogitian and Kurzeme. They are replaced by expanse plains and dodgy ribbons of rivers. You may be interested in these natural attractions.

Treatment in the Baltics

This region is famous for its SPA-salons and sanatoriums. Mineral waters, a pleasant climate, but, most importantly, therapeutic mud, create excellent conditions for healing in this healing region. Thus, in Estonia, sulphide-silt muds in Ikla and Haapsalu, enriched with organic matter and mineral salts, and sapropelic muds in Värska and Jurmala clinics are famous.

Sights of the Baltic States

All the Baltic countries are able to provide a rich and interesting vacation. In sanatoriums you can relax and improve your health, on the beach you can bask in the soft rays of the sun, in cities you can see many sights. After all, all countries are rich in centuries-old history.

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia deserve a separate description.

Lithuania is an emotionally vibrant country, and the population in it 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, contemplate the magnificent region of Trakai lakes and stroll along the Curonian Spit - a very picturesque place. Go to the Amber Museum, National Museum of Lithuania, Lithuanian Art Museum and Radvils Palace. And between excursions, be sure to stop by for lunch at a local cafe and try zemaicha, buckets and zeppelins.

Lithuania is one of the most ancient states of Europe, therefore the history of this region is rich and spontaneous. In a modern country, megacities with developed infrastructure and architectural monuments and sculptures, healing mineral springs and green forests coexist perfectly. You will definitely be captivated by the peculiar nature of this marvelous land.

Latvia — beautiful pearl the Baltics. 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 are interested in classical music - then be sure to go to the Dome Cathedral. If you prefer architecture, be sure to take a walk to St. Peter's Church, from the grounds of which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Old Town.

And in this amazing region you will see beautiful lakes, virgin pine forests and spacious fields. The marvelous charm of the local nature will not leave anyone indifferent.

Estonia is a unique dimension. Sometimes it seems that she reigns here everywhere. Practical, reasonable, calm people. Because of its unusualness, this country seems to be a mystery to many. In this peaceful world, you can see ancient castles, walk 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 evening walk around Tallinn is enough reason to travel to Estonia.

In this country, you can see everything - small colorful cafes, fashionable hotels, cozy streets, cobblestone pavements, ancient temples, castles, estates and the magnificent beauty of local nature.

Nature and fauna of the Baltics

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, fast-moving rivers. National parks tremulously guarded. The Baltic States can rightly be called a green region. About 40% of the territory is occupied by coniferous and deciduous forests. In them you can find a lot of interesting curiosities - mushrooms, berries, animals.

The largest lake in Latvia is Lubans, the deepest is Dridzis, in Lithuania the most beautiful lake is Druksiai, and the deepest is Tauragnas. In Estonia, the largest lake is truly huge - its area is 266 square meters. km. The Baltic rivers can also surprise you - the beautiful Western Dvina, the full-flowing Neman, in the waters of which there are more than 70 species of fish.

And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the Baltic Sea. Not too deep, salty, but unimaginably beautiful and warm. Soft silk sand, luxurious spacious beaches, equipped with everything you need. The highest water temperature in the Curonian Lagoon. The most famous resorts are Palanga, Jurmala and Pärnu. the biggest coastline famous Estonia.

All countries are interesting, all extraordinary. Discover the wonderful world of the Baltics together with the Kailash Club!