Estonia population Estonia religion Estonia history Estonia economy Estonia currency Estonia road travel & other Estonian national information
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photos: www.tourism.tallinn.ee
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Estonia Travel Information Guide
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Estonia Country Profile
Estonia Population The population of Estonia is 1.4 million with around 412,000 of them living in the Capital Tallinn. 68% of the population are Estonian, 25% Russian. Religion In Estonia The predominant religion is Lutheran (orthodox Christian). Language In Estonia The official national language is Estonian with Russian very widely spoken. Estonia Currency The unit of currency is the Kroon. Estonia Currency Regulations Visitors entering or leaving Estonia with cash in any currency which exceeds 10,000€, must declare it to customs officials.
Estonia Recent History
At the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917 Estonia was ruled by Russia. A three year struggle for independence followed until Estonia recognised by Moscow as an independent state in The Treaty of Tartu in 1920.
In a reportedly corrupt election in 1940 the Estonian Parliament determined that Estonia was once again part of the Soviet Union. Shortly afterwards the country was occupied by Germany until 1944. At the end of the war the Soviet Army regained control of Estonia and it remained under the military and political control of Moscow for the next 45 years. more
Estonia Economy - Business
After it's declaration of independence Estonia rapidly become one of Eastern Europe's successful countries. It has an annual growth rate of around 4- 5% with an annual rate of inflation of approximately 1.5%. Unemployment is 11.5%.
Its major industries are Timber, food processing and machine production. It major trading partners are Finland. Sweden and Germany. Trade with European Union countries is expected to increase significantly now that Estonia has become a member state.
Emergency Medical Treatment Healthcare In Estonia
Estonia has a excellent standard of health care and has a free emergency medical treatment agreement for UK nationals. There are two hospitals in Tallinn where English is spoken: Mustamae Hospital and East Tallinn Central Hospital & Mustamae Hospital.
The Singing Revolution !
Folk songs and dancing are a long established traditional part of Estonian culture. Outside Tallinn every year in the purpose built Song Festival Ground there is a summer music festival featuring dancing and singing which features 30,000 artists in folk and national costumes and watched by over 100,000 visitors.
The 1988 festival was attended night after night by 300,00 Estonians - about a third of the indigenous population. What started offer as a folk song festival rapidly become a political rally with people 'chanting and singing' for freedom and self government. In the following months the movement grew enabled in part by the new political philosophies of Moscow.
By March 1990 'the singing revolution' was no longer the voice of the people it had taken control of the country. Estonians often say that they they sang their way to freedom - that freedom was confirmed on 20th August 1991 when Estonia declared itself an independent country.
Estonia - Moving Forward !
Estonia like many Eastern European countries has a moving past. It proudly holds on to centuries of culture and architecture but at the same grasps the challenges that it faces as a democracy and EU member state.
Since its return to independence in 1991 its has developed throughout the country an impressive Internet infrastructure and one of the fastest developing economies in the western world. Share your secrets please!
Estonia Travel Tourism
Though tourism is not a major part of the Estonian economy, it has always been popular with visitors from Scandinavia. In the last few years Tallinn has attracted the attention of Western Europe low cost airlines the and it is become very popular as a city break destination.
Note For Adults Travelling With Children To Estonia
Children aged 7 - 15 can enter Estonia Estonia on their own passport or:
They can enter on a parent's passport provide the parent is with them. Where the child is named in the parent's passport the child's date of birth and photograph must be shown. A photo graph is not required for children 6 years of age an under.
Expiry Date Of Passports
Passports must be valid for a minimum of three months from the date of entry into Estonia and cover full the duration of the visit. For further info see the Consulate Guide
Road Travel In Estonia
Motorists from most EU member states including the UK can use their national driving licence's in Estonia. Visitors who use their own own vehicles must have the original vehicle registration document with them. If you do not have this with you Estonian Border Guards will impound your the car.
Death rates on Estonian roads are per one hundred thousand people twice as high as in Britain. Statistically a significant proportion of these accidents often occur on major roads and after sunset. Estonian law requires headlights to be switched on at day and night.
During the winter Estonia can suffer very severe weather conditions with extremely cold temperatures (see the Tallinn City Guide) and heavy snow. By law, winter tyres must be fitted to vehicles from December 1st until March 31st. However Estonia can suffer from winter weather in November and April and visitors travelling at these times are advised to fit the winter tyres at these times.
Motorists travelilng in Estonia during the winter are advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting out. They are also advised to carry mobile phones for use in an emergency along with emergency supplies of food and warm drinks especially if they are going on a long journey.
In Estonia it is illegal to drive with any alcohol in your blood. This is zero tolerance of people who break this law and imprisonment of offenders is not uncommon.
Possible Political Unrest
In April 2007 (26 -27th) there was rioting in Tallinn following the decision by the Estonian Authorities to remove from the city centre the Bronze Soldier Statue at the Soviet War Memorial and accompanying graves to a cemetery.
The Statue & Memorial where erected by the occupying Soviet forces after the end of WW2. By many indigenous Estonians this was seen as a symbol of Soviet rule. Following Estonia's Independence in 1991 many Estonia had wanted the memorial removed.
When it was finally moved in 2007 some Russians who make up 25% of the population were offended and violent protests followed.
It is possible that further protests may occur annually between the anniversary of the memorials removal on April 26th and May 9th which is the officially declared in Russia as 'World War II Victory Day'.
