The meaning of Baltic countries depends on the context in which it is used.

• When discussing politics, Baltic countries usually refers to three countries on the Baltics coasts: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. See Baltic States.
• When discussing ecology, biology or geography, Baltic countries usually refers to all of the countries around the Baltic Sea: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia's Kaliningrad District, Poland, Germany and Denmark.
• In a strict sense, the following countries, sometimes called the Baltic Sea countries, have access to the Baltic Sea: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.

The Baltic Sea countries, together with Norway, Iceland and the European Union form the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

See also: Scandinavia, Nordic countries, Baltic Republics, Northern Europe, Europe