Estonia Nature Southern Estonia
Southern Estonia
In the terms of political and cultural history, Estonia is divided into north and south. Whereas Northern Estonia is mainly flat, Southern Estonia is known for its hillocks and „curved” landscape, the highest of these are Haanja and Otepää uplands. Southern Estonian culture has preserved many ancient features. Old pagan signs can especially be seen in the names of the places, and also in traditions that are still in use. Otepää is called „Estonia's winter capital” because of the excellent conditions for winter sports and recreation. There are also excellent opportunities for spending the summer on the small and quiet lakes that are suitable for swimming and fishing. There are 130 lakes in the Otepää nature park. Two rivers, the Emajõgi and Elva, originate from there. In addition to small lakes, a great number of small bogs can be found there.
Haanja is the highest region in Estonia. Suur Munamägi (litterally translated as 'Big Egg Hill'), the highest point in the landscape of the Baltic States, is located in the centre of Haanjamaa at 318 m a.s.l. There is a permanent exhibition introducing the nature reserves of Võru County in the observation tower which was built in 1939 at the top of the hill.
Adjacent to the Russian border is a region called Setomaa. Due to the inhabitants’ Orthodox religion, the traditional culture differs greatly from the rest of Estonia. Setos have retained many ancient traditions and mixed pagan rites with the religious cult. The area's natural environment is known for its the dense forests, bogs and rivers. Picturesque Devonian outcrops can be seen along the banks of Piusa and Ahja river (the name of the river Ahja comes from the name of the pre-Christian water god Ahti). The Ahja, Piusa and Võhandu rivers are good for canoeing. The cathedral-like sand caves of Piusa that developed through the excavation of sand suitable for glass melting is an exotic place to visit. Those who seek silence and peace can visit Meenikunno bog and stay in the public hiking houses built by the National Forestry Centre (RMK).
