Naval port and capital of Estonia, NW USSR;
population (1987) 478,000. Industries include
electrical and oil-drilling machinery,
textiles, and paper. Founded 1219, it was a
member of the Hanseatic League; passed to
Sweden 1561 and to Russia 1750. Vyshgorod
castle (13th century) and other medieval
buildings remain. It is a yachting centre.