Estonia Country & Tourist Information

Location
Northern Europe.

Area
45,226 sq km (17,462 sq miles).

Population
1.3 million (2006 estimate).

Population Density
29 per sq km.

Capital
Tallinn.
Population: 401,694 (official estimate 2005).

Government
Republic since 1918. Regained independence in 1991.

Language
Estonian is the official language. Most people also speak Russian, which is the mother tongue of around 30% of the population. However, since independence, the indiscriminate use of Russian could on occasion cause offence.

Religion
The majority are non-religious. 23% Christian, with Lutheranism and Orthodoxy.

Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are used.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Andrus Ansip since 2005.

Head of State
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves since October 2006.

Telephone
Country code: 372. Public telephones, which are plentiful, are operated by phonecards, available from kiosks.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Good coverage.

Internet
Public access is available at Internet cafes, post offices and libraries in main towns and cities. There is free Internet access at Tallinn Airport. Wireless zones can be found in various places.

Media
The post-independence years of the early 1990s saw a large increase in the production of newspapers, which subsequently turned into a fight for survival among titles. Broadcasting also boomed, attracting several foreign players; the two main commercial TV stations are owned by Swedish and Norwegian companies. Cable TV is popular.


Post
Post to western Europe takes up to six days.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-2000, Sat 0900-1800, Sun 0900-1500 (hours may vary in rural areas).

Press
• Privately-owned dailies include Postimees, Eesti Paevaleht and the business Aripaev, along with the evening tabloid SL Ohtuleht, and weekly Maaleht.
• Estoniya is published in Russian.

Radio
• The public station is Eesti Raadio, which operates four networks including flagship station Vikerraadio.
• Raadio Elmar and Kuku Radio are privately-owned stations.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
24 Feb Independence Day.
6 Apr Good Friday.
1 May May Day.
27 May Whit Sunday (Pentecost)
23 Jun Võidupüha (Victory Day – anniversary of the Battle of Võnnu).
24 Jun Midsummer’s Day/Jaanipäev (St John’s Day).
20 Aug Restoration of Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Jõulud (Christmas) and Boxing Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
24 Feb Independence Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
1 May May Day.
11 May Whit Sunday (Pentecost)
23 Jun Võidupüha (Victory Day – anniversary of the Battle of Võnnu).
24 Jun Midsummer’s Day/Jaanipäev (St John’s Day).
20 Aug Restoration of Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Jõulud (Christmas) and Boxing Day.

Contact Information:

Estonian Tourist Board
1315 Liivalaia Street, 10118 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: (6) 279 770.
Website: www.visitestonia.com

Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in the UK
16 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DG, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 3428.
Website: www.estonia.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (embassy); Mon and Fri 1000-1300, Tue and Thurs 1300-1600 (consular section).

Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in the USA
2131 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 588 0101.
Website: www.estemb.org


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