To the west are the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, and the Gulf of Finland lies to the north. Estonia's rich flora includes 1470 varieties of indigenous plants, while its fauna features thriving populations of large European mammals, among them roe deer and elk. Estonia also has 10 species of rare and protected amphibians. One of the unique sights of the Estonian forest is the European flying squirrel. The climate is on the cool and damp side of temperate, verging on continental as you move inland where, in winter, it can be a few degrees colder than the coast or, in summer, a few degrees warmer.
Winters are fairly severe.
The waters around Hiiumaa and Saaremaa Islands freeze over in mid-January and usually don't thaw for 3 months, during which time the entire country is covered in snow. Rain is heaviest in September and lightest in spring. Lonely Planet Publications Pty. Ltd. All rights reserved.