Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

22 INTRODUCING EST ONIA , LA T VIA AND LITHU ANIA

Landscape and Wildlife
The three Baltic countries are heavily forested with
pine, spruce and birch and enjoy a predominantly flat
terrain, although there are hilly areas such as the
Vidzeme Upland in Latvia. The highest point in the
region is Estonia’s Suur Munamägi peak, which rises to
about 318 m (1,043 ft) above sea level. The Baltic States
are known for their dramatic coastlines, innumerable
lakes and rivers as well as extensive wetlands which,
along with forests, provide habitats for a wide range of
wildlife. The countries are also on major bird migration Erratic boulders, some of them very
large, are common on the coastline
paths, making them popular with ornitho logists all
of Estonia’s Käsmu Peninsula (see
over the world. All three countries are still extensively p114). They were dragged there by
covered with peat bogs, marshes and lakes. glaciers during the last Ice Age.

Forest Wetlands
Around 40 per cent of the total landscape in The extensive wetlands of the region are ideal
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is forested. Pine, habitats for migrating birds, and for supporting
spruce and birch are the main species, alongside plants such as cranberries and orchids. In
other trees such as oak, ash, elm and maple. Estonia, raised bogs in which thick layers of peat
Trees were highly valued in the region’s have built up are common. Many are protected
pre-Christian religions. by national parks.
Fauna Bees are highly valued in
the region, as apiculture is
The Baltic States are home to large mammals such as an important industry and
lynx, elk, deer, wolves and brown bears. With the a part of the Baltic States’
region lying on major migra tion routes there are cultural heritage.
numerous nesting bird species including white stork,
crane, barn swallow and grouse. The rivers and lakes
teem with fish such as perch, trout and carp.
White storks are
emblematic of the Wolves are found in the
region and are often region’s forests, especially
found nesting atop in Lithuania. However,
chimney pots or they are a rare sight, as
telegraph poles. hunting has resulted in
Black storks are a dwindling numbers of
relatively rare sight. this predatory animal.