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The Baltic countries, situated between Northern and Western Europe and Russia, are like a bridge connecting the West with the East. For the first time in solidarity all three countries announced the aim to be independent in 1989, when they stood shoulder to shoulder on the Baltic Road. A living chain of millions of people extended 600 km - Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn. In this way the world again became aware of the existence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This was a big victory after the soviet occupation in 1940.
In 1991 the Baltic countries as independent states separated from the Soviet Union. The first investors and establishers of joint ventures here were Germans, Scandinavians and Americans. Businessmen often treat these states as one Baltic market region, though the currency and language is different in each country. Cultural differences are even more significant.
In 2004 all four states joined NATO and EU, what enhanced their political security and the economic growth. Due to many places of interest the Baltic area soon became popular tourist destination. All three capital cities with their Old Towns were recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
From old times, due to the geopolitical situation, Estonia was more influenced by Scandinavia and Finland, Latvia influenced by Germany, while Lithuania shared more historical similarities with Poland. The closeness of these countries had direct impact on the language, architecture, and the establishment of a dominant religion. They all declared independence in 1918.
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