Estonia country profile
27 August 2006by eub2 -- last modified 05 June 2012
Estonia, the most northerly of the Baltic states, regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Estonia became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.
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Eesti Vabariik
Estonia, the most northerly of the Baltic states, regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is a mainly flat country on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, with many lakes and islands. Much of the land is farmed or forested.
The Estonian language is closely related to Finnish, but bears no resemblance to the languages of the other Baltic republics, Latvia and Lithuania, or to Russian. About one quarter of the population is of Russian-speaking origin.
The capital, Tallinn, is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in Europe, and tourism accounts for 15% of Estonian GDP. The main sectors of the economy are engineering, food products, metals, chemicals and wood products.
Throughout history, many other nations who ruled the region – Danes, Germans, Swedes, Poles and Russians – have influenced Estonian cuisine. Among the traditional dishes are marinated eel, blood sausage and sauerkraut stew with pork.Famous Estonians include the writer Jaan Kross whose work has been translated into 20 languages, the author of the national epic (Kalevipoeg) Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, and the writer, film-maker, diplomat and politician Lennart Meri.
Official name: Republic of Estonia
Area (km2): 45 000
Population: 1.27 million (July 2012 est.)
Capital: Tallinn
National holiday: 24 February
Currency: Estonian Kroon
Date of joining: 01 May 2004
Head of state: Toomas Hendrik Ilves, since October 2006
Head of government: Andrus Ansip, since April 2005. He presides over a coalition government between liberals from the Reform Party and conservatives from the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (IRL).
GDP (millions €): 15 859 (2008); 14 219 (forecast for 2009)
GDP per capita in PPS: € 16 900 (2008)
Real growth rate of GDP: 7.9% (2011 est.); 2.3% (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate: 12.1% (2011 est.); 16.9% (2010 est.)
National debt as % of GDP: 5.8% (2011 est.); 6.7% (2010 est.)
Inflation: 5.1% (2011 est.); 3% (2010 est.)
Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: -0.7% (2011 est.)
Source: Eurostat
Links
Head of State: Head of Government: Government: Foreign Minister: Parliament:
Map of Estonia
Source: European Commission, Spanish EU Presidency