Estonia, Saaremaa and Saaremaa Co-educational Gymnasium · Believe It or Not October 2012 Saaremaa Co-educational Gymnasium The oldest school on Saaremaa (since 1919) In Kuressaare,

Believe It or NotOctober 2012

Estonia, Saaremaa and Saaremaa Co-educational Gymnasium

Alar Leemet, Form 11A


● The Baltic Sea to the north and west, borders Russia east and Latvia south

● Area 45 228 sq km, 133rd country in size● Population 1 294 000 (as of 2012), 156th

● Declaration of Independence 24th February 1918, Re-establishment of independence 20th August 1991

● E-country (Banking, school, healthcare, voting)


Nature of Estonia● Temperate climate, 4 equally lengthed seasons● Flat, hilly in the south-east, the highest point

Suur Munamägi 318m (Big Egg Mountain)● Cliffs on the northern coast● 50% of the territory is covered by forests● Over 1400 lakes, which is 1/20 of the territory,

the largest: Lake Peipus● Over 1500 islands, which is 1/10 of the territory

the largest is Saaremaa, 2nd largest Hiiumaa


Nature of Estonia


Estonian society● 70% Estonians, 25% Russians● Estonian language (mother tongue of 67%),

difficult to learn● High level of education (ranked 13th in quality)● Song Festival every 5 years● Religion: 73% claim to be non-religious, 13%

lutherans, 12% orthodoxians● Estonians are considered to be reserved,

stubborn, hard-working, having a peculiar sense of humour


Saaremaa● The largest island, about 35 000 inhabitants● Kuressaare, the biggest and only town and a

seaside resort, about 15 000 inhabitants● 98% Estonians● Popular among tourists – many sights● Unique nature (80% of all plant species)● Accessible by ferry or airplane (from Tallinn)● Very low crime rate – Safe!● Popular annual events, e.g. Saaremaa Rally,

Opera days


Places of interest on Saaremaa● Kuressaare Bishop's castle● Old town of Kuressaare (unique architecture)● Angla Windmills● Panga cliff (up to 21m high)● Kaali meteorite crater● Medieval churches and manors● Spas (curative sea mud)


Sights in pictures


Saaremaa Co-educational Gymnasium

● The oldest school on Saaremaa (since 1919)● In Kuressaare, students from all over the island

and even from mainland● 800 students in forms 1-12 (for students aged

7-19), 27 classes in total● Sapere aude – dare to be wise● Main goal is to prepare students for university● Many traditions: Olympic Games, Minitheatre

Festival, Form 11 Cabaret and many more


Traditions in pictures


Questions?

Thank You!


Used materials● http://www.naturetours.ee/uudiskiri/2009/birdfair/index.html● https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/en.html● http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17220810● http://www.estonica.org/en/● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Estonia● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia#Geography● http://www.estinst.ee/publications/12/kaheksas.html● http://www.saaremaa.ee/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=498&lang=en&Itemid=257

http://www.naturetours.ee/uudiskiri/2009/birdfair/index.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/en.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17220810

http://www.estonica.org/en/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Estonia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia#Geography

http://www.estinst.ee/publications/12/kaheksas.html

http://www.saaremaa.ee/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=498&lang=en&Itemid=257

Estonia, Saaremaa and Saaremaa Co-educational Gymnasium · Believe It or Not October 2012 Saaremaa Co-educational Gymnasium The oldest school on Saaremaa (since 1919) In Kuressaare,

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