The Baltic Sea

Northeastern Europe is a compromise terminology to refer to the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Due to their recent history as former Soviet Republics they were sometimes viewed as a part of the former communist Eastern Europe. But there are many reasons to see the Baltic countries as a part of Northern Europe. Culturally and historically the Baltic States have mainly been influenced by Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany. They belong to the Baltic Sea Region and neighbouring northern European Finland shares a similar history with the Baltic States.