Estonians belong to the Finno-Ugric peoples, as do the Finns and the Hungarians. Archaeological research confirms the existence of human activity in the region as early as 8000 BC; by 3500 BC the principal ancestors of the Estonians had arrived from the east.
Estonia joined the EURO-zone in the beginning of 2011 - and now, EURO is the official currency.
Though with a population of a little more than one million, Estonia still boasts a rich history of art, literature, cinema and theatre. The Estonian language and culture are the main vehicles for maintaining Estonian identity, and the people of Estonia have always revered their cultural treasures.