Introduction |
Facts |
Flag |
History |
Culture |
Geography |
Currency |
Economy |
Demographics |
Language |
Estonia is situated in Northeastern Europe. Officially it is called the Republic of Estonia. Lativa surrounds Estonia to the south, Russia to the east, and Finland to the north and Sweden to the west. Tallinn is a capital as well as the largest city of Estonia.
Estonian is an official language of Estonia. It was adopted as the official language in 1989.
Estonia is a constitutional democracy with a president elected by its unicameral parliament. Estonia was declared an independent republic on 20th August 1991. Estonia joined NATO on March 29, 2004 and the European Union on 1st of May 2004.
| Country Name : | Estonia |
| Capital : | Tallinn |
| Largest City : | Tallinn |
| Official Language : | Estonian |
| Government : | Parliamentary democracy |
| President : | Arnold Ruutel |
| Prime Minister : | Andrus Ansip |
| Area : | 45,226 kmē |
| Area Rank : | 129th |
| Population : | 1,344,000 |
| Population Rank : | 151st |
| Density : | 29.8/kmē |
| Density Rank : | 144th |
| GDP Total : | $23.93 billion |
| GDP Total Rank : | 106th |
| GDP per Capita : | $17,802 |
| GDP per Capita Rank : | 43rd |
| Currency : | Estonian kroon |
| Time Zone : | EET (UTC+2) |
| Internet TLD : | .ee |
| Calling Code : | +372 |
| Geographic Coordinates : | 59 00 N, 26 00 E |
| Railways : | 958 km |
| Highways : | 56,849 km |
| Waterways : | 500 km |
| Internet Users : | 670,000 |
| Radio Users : | 1.01 million |
| Mobile Users : | 1,255,700 |
| Telephone Users : | 444,000 |
| Population Growth : | -0.64% |
| Birth Rate : | 10.04 births/1,000 |
| Death Rate : | 13.25 deaths/1,000 |
| Airport : | 26 |
Description :
Three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white.
First Human Settlement: - Estonia, was a throughout icy territory. So, human settlement was simply impossible there. But 11,000-13,000 years ago, when the ice from the last glacial era melted there. Firstly the Polly Settlement located on the right bank of Parnu River, near the town of Sindi.
Last Ethnic Group: - Estonians were one of the last ethnic groups in Europe to be Christianized. No united states had formed in Estonia until the 13th century, but smaller forms of government, parishes and counties had formed.
During 13th to 15th century: - Estonia was Christianized when the German "Livonian Brothers of the Sword" and Denmark conquered the land by 1227. Northern Estonia was a nominal possession of Denmark until 1346. Tallinn was given the lubeak Rights in 1248 and joined the Hanseatic League at the end of the 13th century. Ethnic Estonians became agricultural laborers for the German speaking nobility. In 1343, the people of northern Estonia and Saaremaa rebelled against the rule of their German-speaking landlords in the St. George's Night Uprising, which was put down by 1344. form 1524, Estonia converted to Lutheranism.
Good Old Swedish Times: - Northern Estonia submitted to Swedish control in 1561 during the Livonia War and from 1582 to 1583, Southern Estonia became the part of Poland. In 1625, Estonia came entinerly under Swedish rule. The administration of Estonia was divided between proviences of Estonia and Livonia. In 1631, the Swedish King Gustavus Adoplphus forced the aristocracy to grant the poor laborers greater rights. In 1632, a printing press and university were established in the city of Tartu. This period is known in Estonian history as the "God Old Swedish Times."
Northern War: - Following the Great Northern War, the Swedish empire lost Estonia to Russia. The war destroyed the Estonian population, but it recovered fast. Serfdom was ended in 1816 in the province of Estonia and in 1818 in Livonia.
Estonian Nationalist Movements: - As a result of the end of serfdom and the availability of education and active Estonian nationalist movement started in the 19th century. It resulted in the forming of Estonian-language literature, theater and music and the formation of the Estonian national identity.
Independence: - After the October revolution, Estonia was declared an independent republic on February 24, 1918. Estonia maintained its independence for 22 years.
Occupation of Soviet Union: - In June 1940, Soviet troops occupied Estonia. The Estonian SSR was established, which joined the Soviet Union. The Third Reich from 1941 to 1944, when Soviet forces again conquered it occupied the country. Ex-members of the Finnish and German armies, and many civilians of Estonia, known as forest brothers waged a guerilla war against the Soviet Union in 1950.
Regain independence: - Estonia regained its independence on 20th August 1991 with the Singing Revolution and the fall of the Soviet Union. On 29th of March, Estonia joined NATO and on 1st May 2004 it joined EU.
Education: - Education in Estonia is most compulsory, Estonia's literacy rate is very high, it is about 100 percent. In Estonia, education is compulsory for 9 years beginning at the age of 7. Estonia has some well-known universities, such as the University of Tartu, which was founded in 1632 by Swedish king Gustav II Adolph, and Tallinn Technical University.
Literature: - A literary tradition began to develop in the early 1800s with the poems of kristjan Jaak Peterson. In the mid-1800s a national epic poem, kalevipoeg and folk tales of Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald were out standing examples of Estonian literature. The most notable poet of the late 1800s was Lydia koidula, whose works best represent Estonia's national awakening. Estonian culture developed during the country's independence in the first half of the 20th century. Anton Hansen Tammsaare was well-known novelist of this period. His historical saga, Tode Ja Oigus was an outstanding example of Estonian literature. Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, who ruled the USSR from 1922 to 1953, many Estonian writers and intellectual were teated in a cruel way and deportal them to the Gulags. Poetry was especially significant during the Soviet period. In the late 1980s writers and other intellectuals were took the leading part in the Estonian independence movement. Since independence the historical novels of Jaan Kross have won critical acclaim internationally, making him one of Estonia's most translated writers. Keisri hull and Paigallend were his famous novels. Jaan Kaplinski was also well-known poet of that period, who also gained international recognition.
Art: - Folk songs are an important part of Estonian art. During the Soviet period the government forcefully ended the Estonian national anthem and other songs. The song My Fatherland Is My Loce, based on a poem by Koidula and music by Gustov Ernesaks, became the de facte anthem. Estonian independence movement was known as the Singing Revolution Cultural events in Estonia include numerous song festivals, which involve the periodic assembly of choruses from all over the country for performances in Tartu or Tallinn.
Operas and theaters: - The Estonian National Opera, the Estonian Drama Theatre and the Estonian National Ballet are situated in the capital, Tallinn.
Sports: - Basketball, ice hockey and soccer are popular games of Estonians. In 1922 Estonia participated in the Olympic games for the very first time since 1936. Moreover horseback riding, cross-country skiing, bird watching and boating are also popular activities of Estonian people.
Location: - Estonia is located in Northeastern Europe. It is surrounded by Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, Finland to the north and Sweden to the west. Moreover it lies on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea on the level northwestern part of the rising east European platform between 57.3 and North and 21.5 and 28.1 East.
Area: - Estonia's total area is about 45,226 sq. km. Its coastline is 3,794 km. Long.
Mountains: - Estonia is situated at average 50 meters height. Suur Munamagi is the highest point of Estonia, which situated in the southeast. Suur Munamagi is about 318 meters high.
Forests: - Estonia has many forests, which cover 47% of the land.
Natural Resources: - Estonia is a poor country according to natural resources; it has only some oil shale and limestone deposits along with its forests.
Lakes: - Estonia possesses over 1400 lakes and many bogs. Lake Peipus is the largest lake of Estonia, which is spreader in 3,555 sq km of the area.
Islands and Islets: - There are about 1500 islands and islets in Estonia. Among them, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa are very large.
Population: - According to the 2006 estimate Estonia's total population is about 13,44,000. Its population density is 29.8 persons per sq. km.
Capital: - Tallinn is a capital as well as the largest city of Estonia.
| 1.00 - (Estonia ) | = | USD - (United States Dollars) |
| 1.00 USD - (United States Dollars) | = | - (Estonia ) |
| Unit | Currency Name | EEK/Unit | Unit/EEK |
Worst period: - Estonia regained its independence on August 20, 1991, with the Singing Revolution and the collapse of the Soviet Union. From 1991 to 1999, Estonia faced many economic problems due to the impact of the August 1998 Russian financial crisis.
Membership of WTO and EU: - Estonia became the member of World Trade Organization in November 1999. Estonia is the second Baltic State, which became the member of WTO. Moreover, it also continued its EU accession talks. With assistance from the European Union, the World Bank and the Nordic Bank, Estonia completed most of its preparations for EU membership by the end of 2002. Estonia joined the European Union on 1st of May 2004.
GDP and Economic activities: - Today, the Estonian economy is he strongest economy, due to a number of Scaninavian companies relocation their routine operations and Russian oil transit using Estonian ports. Estonia has a strong information technology sector. According to the 2006 estimate, total GDP is about $23.93 billion, and its per capita GDP is about $17,802, which is the highest among the Baltic States.
Tax for Individuals: - In 1994, Estonia became the first, who adopted a flat tax, with uniform rate of 26% regardless of the income a person makes. In January 2005, Estonia reduced the personal income tax rate to 24%. It also reduced to 23% followed in January 2006. Moreover it will be decreased by 1% annually to reach 20% by January 2009.
Tax for Companies: - For companies, income tax is payable for profit distribution at the rate of 24%, while income tax is not payable on re-invested income for companies.
Currency: - Estonia's currency is the Estonian Kroon (EEK). In June 1992, Estonia replaced the ruble with the Kroon. (EEK). A currency board was created and the new currency was egged to the German Mark at the rate at 8 EEK for 1 DEM. When Germany introduced the Euro the peg was changed to 15.6466 Kroon for 1 Euro. The Government of Estonia is planning to adopt the Euro as the country's currency on 1st of January 2008.
Population: - According to the 2003 estimate, the total population of Estonia is about 13,44,000. Its population density is about 29.8 persons per sq km.
Ethnic Groups: - Estonia's population can be divided into two main ethnic groups:
1. Ethnic Estonians
2. Russians
Ethnic Estonians: - Ethnic Estonians are the main ethnic group of Estonia, are the main ethnic group of Estonia, which make up about 68.6 percent of the total population, in figure they are about 1.3 million people. They are ethnically and linguistically close to the Finns.
Russians: - Russians are the largest minority group, which make up 25.7 percent of the total population.
Other Groups: - Ukrainians (2.1%) Belarusian (1.2%) and Finns (0.8) also live in Estonia, but they are very few.
The country's ethnic composition shows decade's o immigration from elsewhere in the Soviet Union after Second World War ended in 1945. The Soviet government recruited many Russians to do job in Soviet built Estonian factories.
Religion: - The predominant religion of ethnic Estonians was Christian, which including Evangelical Lutherans. Most believers, amongst the Russian minority are Eastern Orthodox. In 1920, Constantinople's Father of the Church recognized a separate national Estonian Orthodox Church. Today, 15% of the total population follows Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, 14% of the total population follows Orthodox, and 0.5% of the total populations are followers of Baptists and 0.5% of the total population follow Roman Catholics. Moreover some people also follow Buddhism, Protestant or Jewish Religion.
Estonian is the official language of Esonia, which with the Finnish language belongs to the Finno Ugric languages, a subfamily of the Uralic languages. Estonian was adopted as the official language in 1989 as part of Estonia's movement against the Soviet Union for independence. Russian is also mostly spoken as a secondary language by old ethnic Estonians because during the Soviet era, Russian was a compulsory second language for schooling. The younger people also speak English, because it is a first foreign language.
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