Brief Introduction Capital: Tallinn Area: total: 45,226 sq km National Flower: The important Festival: National day: 24 February Population: 13,920,000 Language: Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census). Currency: EEK

Estonia

Geography

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia.

Administrative divisions

15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa, (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa, (Johvi), Jarvamaa, (Paide), Jogevamaa, (Jogeva), Laanemaa, (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa ,(Parnu), Polvamaa ,(Polva), Raplamaa ,(Rapla), Saaremaa, (Kuressaare), Tartumaa ,(Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru).

Economy – overview

Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization and the European Union, has transitioned effectively to a modern market economy with strong ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The current account deficit remains high; however, the state budget enjoyed a surplus of $130 million in 2003.

Culture and media

Newspaper:

Äripäev, Baltic Review, the , Baltische Rundschau, Dyen za Dnyom , Eesti Kirik, LõunaLeht, Maaleht, Nasz Casz , Nelli Teataja, Videvik, Vyesti .

Broadcast:

Eesti Raadio, KUKU Raadio,

TV Stations: Estonia Television—ETV, TV3

The place of interest

Raekoja Plats

Kadriorg