Estonia became a governorate-general of Russia in 1710, when it was conquered from Sweden. The former dominion of Swedish Estonia was ceded by Sweden in the Treaty of Nystad in 1719.

The province consisted the northern part of the present-day Estonia corresponding to Tallinn, Harjumaa, Western Virumaa, Raplamaa, Järvamaa and Läänemaa until April 12, 1918 (old style: March 30), 1917 when it was expanded to include northern Livonia and after that it corresponded roughly to the present territory of Estonia. It was one of three Baltic provinces along with Livonia and Courland and would remain in Russian control until 1918.