Estonia

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

38 (2001)

Internet country code

.ee

Internet users

429,700 (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios

1.01 million (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; internet services are available throughout most of the country - only about 11,000 subscriber requests were unfilled by September 2000 domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and internet services is available throughout the country international: fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001)

Telephones - main lines in use

501,691 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular

711,000 (yearend 2001)

Television broadcast stations

3 (2001)

Televisions

605,000 (1997)

Agriculture - products

potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish

Budget

revenues: $1.89 billion expenditures: $1.89 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)

Currency

Estonian kroon (EEK)

Currency code

EEK

Debt - external

$3.3 billion (2001 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37 (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$108 million (2000)

Economy - overview

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. A major goal is accession to the EU, possibly by 2004. The state of the economy is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The trade deficit is a negative factor, whereas the internal government surplus is a plus.

Electricity - consumption

5.362 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports

1.2 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - production

7.056 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates

krooni per US dollar - 17.518 (January 2002), 17.538 (2001), 16.969 (2000), 14.678 (1999), 14.075 (1998), 13.882 (1997); note - the kroon is tied to the euro at a fixed rate of 15.65 krooni per euro

Exports

$3.4 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001)

Exports - partners

Finland 33.8%, Sweden 14%, Latvia 6.9%, Germany 6.9%, UK 4.2 (2001)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $15.2 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 6% industry: 29% services: 66% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $10,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.4% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 30% (1998)

Imports

$4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001)

Imports - partners

Finland 18%, Germany 11%, Sweden 9%, China 9%, Russia 8% (2001)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2000 est.)

Industries

engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; services; transit, information technology, telecommunications

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.7% (2002)

Labor force

608,600 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA% (2000)

Unemployment rate

12.4% (2001)

Area

total: 45,226 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea water: 2,015 sq km land: 43,211 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Climate

maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline

3,794 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

Environment - current issues

air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 4.6 times smaller than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies fell 20 times in 2000 compared to 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Geography - note

the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands

Irrigated land

40 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km

Land use

arable land: 26.5% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 73.15% (1998 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards

sometimes flooding occurs in the spring

Natural resources

oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud

Terrain

marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south

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) note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses

Capital

Tallinn

Constitution

adopted 28 June 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic local long form: Eesti Vabariik

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. DeTHOMAS embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8134

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Sven JURGENSON chancery: 1730 M Street NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

Executive branch

chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Siim KALLAS (since 28 January 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament election results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September 2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened following Parliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI's successor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 188 votes to Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 24 ballots were either left blank or invalid elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament

Flag description

pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

regained on 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)

Legal system

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party 25.4%, Res Publica 24.6%, Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%; seats by party - Center Party 28, Res Publica 28, Reform Party 19, Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, People's Party Moodukad 6 elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 20 August 1991 was the date of reindependence from the Soviet Union

Political parties and leaders

Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahsaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Siim KALLAS]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP; Moderates (Moodukad) [Ivari PADAR]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit League) [Tunne KELAM, chairman]; Res Publica [Juhan Parts]; Russian Baltic Party [Sergei IVANOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Background

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.

Military branches

Estonia Defense Forces (including Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force), Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Maritime Border Guard, Coast Guard note: Border Guards and Ministry of Internal Affairs become part of the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime; the Coast Guard is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense in peacetime and the Estonian Navy in wartime

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$155 million (2002 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2% (2002 est.)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 359,902 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 282,716 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 11,164 (2002 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.4% (male 118,603; female 114,102) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 466,882; female 502,343) 65 years and over: 15.1% (male 70,085; female 143,666) (2002 est.)

Birth rate

8.96 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate

13.44 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups

Estonian 65.3%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Belarusian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.6% (1998)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.04% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 500 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages

Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.02 years female: 76.31 years (2002 est.) male: 64.03 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1998 est.)

Nationality

noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian

Net migration rate

-0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population

1,415,681 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.52% (2002 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.24 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international

Russia continues to reject signing and ratifying the joint December 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking

Airports

32 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2002)

Highways

total: 30,300 km paved: 29,200 km (including 75 km of expressways); note - these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather unpaved: 1,100 km (2000)

Merchant marine

total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 245,958 GRT/193,042 DWT note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Liberia 1 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 6

Pipelines

natural gas 2,000 km (2002)

Ports and harbors

Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn

Railways

total: 968 km common carrier lines only; does not include dedicated industrial lines broad gauge: 968 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (2001)

Waterways

320 km (perennially navigable) (2002)