CAPITAL CITY OF Estonia: Tallinn
LANGUAGE OF Estonia: Estonian
CURRENCY OF Estonia: Estonian kroon (EEK)
COMMENTS ABOUT Estonia:
Estonia is a Baltic state in Northeastern Europe.
Cities : Tallinn (capital), Tartu, Kärdla, Jõhvi, PaideJõgeva, Haapsalu, Rakvere, Pärnu, Põlva, Rapla, Kuressaare, Valga, Viljandi, Võru, Otepää
Best Places :Karula National Park, Lahemaa National Park, Matsalu National Park, Soomaa National Park, Vilsandi National Park, Baltic Islands, Tranquil, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Jägala Falls
Electricity : 220V/50Hz (European plug)
Calling Code : +372
Time Zone : UTC+2
After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
CLIMATE OF Estonia: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers
RELIGION OF Estonia: Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish
POPULATION OF Estonia: 1,341,664 (July 2004 est.)>
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Estonia: Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization, is steadily moving toward a modern market economy with increasing ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors. Estonia has been invited to join the European Union and will do so in May 2004. The economy is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Germany, four major trading partners. The high current account deficit remains a concern. However, the state budget enjoyed a surplus of $130 million in 2003.