Estonians and Latvians are Balts, but different ethnically and linguistically. Estonian is similar to Finnish, but the Estonians are more Swedish-looking than Finns. They may have one of the top 3 blond prevalences in the world. I was struck by how tall they are. In Tallinn, there are far more Russians, but in Tartu they’re 90% ethnically Estonian. Stunningly attractive people.
Latvians are ethnically and, to a degree, linguistically, related more to Lithuanians than Estonians. They’re also Balts, with an ancient language. Not as blond as the Estonians. Younger Latvians, especially in Riga, often have a Russian parent, a result of Stalin’s Russification program after 1945.
In places like Sigulda, an hour from Riga, the people are more blond and Nordic-looking.
Lithuanians boast the oldest Indo-European language and are also quite attractive. They’re not Slavs, even though they were partners with Poland in the great Commonwealth, which was once the largest state in Europe, outside Russia. Lithuanians, nominally Catholic, are also proud to have been the last tribe to succumb to Christianity.
History lesson concluded. I can’t restrain myself sometimes.