Estonia's landscape is primarily flat. Lakes, streams, and marshes are abundant in the northern sector of the country. Estonia has a number of rivers, the longest of which are Vohandu (162 km), Parnu (144 km) and Poltsamaa (135 km). Most of the land is used for arable farming. Rye, wheat, oats, and barley are the chief crops. Dairy farming is also a major industry. The abundance of forest trees is also an asset for the paper, fuel, and furniture industries. Only in the southeast of the country is the land hilly.

For most of the year, the Estonian climate is temperate. The summers are often warm and humid; the winters are often extremely cold and dry. Temperatures typically range from 15 to 18 degrees in the summer and from -4 to -5 degrees in the winter. These seasonal averages do fluctuate, however; to as much as 30 degrees in the summer and -23 degrees in the winter. Showers affect all regions sporadically throughout the year.