The Tallinn reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Tallinn

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Tallinn
Image:tallinn.png
CityTallinn (1157)
CountyTallinn
ProvincesHarju
Area
 - Total 		Ranked xxx
158 km²
Population
 - Total (2003)
 - Density 		Ranked 1st
430,000
xxx/km² (1st)

The city of Tallinn is the capital and principal seaport of the Republic of Estonia. It is located on Estonia's north coast, along the Baltic Sea. Before 1918, it was primarily known in English by its German name Reval. Other historical names are Koluvan, Lindanise, Lindanisa (Lindanäs), Revalia, Revel and Reveln.

The origin of the name is unclear. It may have been derived from "talu linn", Estonian for "farming town". Alternately, it may have been derived from "Taani-linn", Estonian for "Danish town".

Historically, the city has been attacked, sacked, razed and pillaged on numerous occasions. It was the centre of the medieval salt-trade on which it grew rich and prosperous.

In addition to the native Estonian language (which is of the Finno-Ugric group, closely related to the Finnish language), both Russian and English are widely spoken in the city.

Although extensively bombed during the latter stages of World War II, much of the mediaeval old town still retains its charm.

The population is about 400,400 (2000), registered 387 224 (2003).

On May 25, 2002, the 47th Eurovision Song Contest took place in Tallinn.

Tallinn's old town, looking towards portEnlarge

Tallinn's old town, looking towards port

Table of contents
1 Historical population
2 Transport
3 External link

Historical population

1816: 12,000 inhabitants
1834: 15,300
1851: 24,000
1881: 45,900
1897: 58,800
1925: 119,800

Transport

Tallinn is served by an airport approximately 5 kilometres from the city centre. There are train connections to Riga and to Saint Petersburg, Russia. Tallinn lies on the highway Via Baltica to Poland.

A ferry service taking approximately 2 hours connects Tallinn to Helsinki in Finland, as does a recently initiated helicopter service, vaunted as being the "fastest capital to capital link in the world" (at 189 Euros one way it certainly is not the cheapest, although more modestly priced advance bookings are available). There is also a ferry service from Tallinn to Stockholm, Sweden.



External link