Estonia Travel Guide

Estonia — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Northern Europe.
Language: Estonian is the official language. Many older people also speak some Russian, which is the mother tongue of around 30% of the population. However, using Russian can cause offence and it's better to speak English, which is widely spoken by people under 40.
Area: 45,226 sq km (17,462 sq miles).
Time Zone: 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.
Population: 1.3 million (2008 estimate).
Population Density: 29 per sq km.
Capital City: Tallinn. Population: 401,694 (official estimate 2007).
Government: Republic since 1918. Annexed by the USSR 1940. Regained independence in 1991. EU member since 2004.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Andrus Ansip since 2005.
Head of State: President Toomas Hendrik Ilves since 2006.
Religion: The majority are non-religious. 23% Christian, with Lutheranism and Orthodoxy.

Recent History

Estonia continues to make European integration a keystone of its foreign policy and is planning to adopt the Euro in 2010, having joined the EU in 2004. Estonia enjoys high regard throughout western Europe for its successful handling of the transformation from ailing post-communist state to transparent social democratic government.

Relations with neighboring Russia have nosedived since 2007, following the removal of a Soviet war memorial in Tallinn that triggered ethnic Russian riots in the city. A short time afterwards, a ‘cyber attack' was launched on Estonian government websites and computer systems, which was roundly attributed to Russia, although Moscow denied responsibility.

Communications

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

The Internet is key to Estonia's economic success. Public access is available at Internet cafes, post offices and libraries in main towns and cities. There is free Internet access at Tallinn Airport. Free wireless zones can be found all over the country, including in hundreds of places in Tallinn.

Media

Estonia was ranked third worldwide by press freedom in 2007 by Reporters Without Borders. The post-independence years of the early 1990s saw a large increase in the production of newspapers, which has now fallen off as the market becomes more stable. 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 three to six days.Mon-Fri 0730-2000, Sat 0900-1800, Sun 0900-1500 (hours may vary in rural areas).

Press

• Privately-owned dailies include Postimees, Eesti Ekspress, 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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec - 26 Dec Jõulud (Christmas) and Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
24 Feb Independence Day
22 Apr Good Friday
1 May May Day
23 Jun Võidupüha (Victory Day - anniversary of the Battle of Võnnu)
24 Jun Midsummer’s Day/Jaanipäev (St John’s Day)
12 Jul Whit Sunday (Pentecost)
20 Aug Restoration of Independence Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Jõulud (Christmas) and Boxing Day

2012
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 Dec - 26 Dec Jõulud (Christmas) and Boxing Day

Contact Information

Estonian Tourist Board

13/15 Liivalaia Street, 10118 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: (6) 279 770.
Website: www.visitestonia.com

NB: There are no Estonian tourist offices outside the country.

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, Tues and Thurs 1300-1600 (consular section).