Western Gulf of Finland

The western Gulf of Finland opens between the Finnish and Estonian shores, giving ships passage between the Baltic and the waters leading east toward the Neva. Tallinn and Helsinki stand on opposite sides of the gulf. During the Great Northern War, Sweden and Russia fought for control of its coasts and approaches. In 1714 the Russian fleet won an important victory over the Swedes near the Hanko peninsula, at the western end of the gulf. The Treaty of Nystad in 1721 confirmed Russia's gains on its eastern and southern shores.