Country information

Estonia
Full name  Republic of Estonia

Population 1,299,371 (July 2009 est.)

Form of Government Parliamentary republic  

President  President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)

Prime Minister Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)

Term Length  President elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);  prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament  

Capital Tallinn

Area 45,228 sq km

Borders: Estonia is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia (343 km), and to the east by the Russian Federation.

Major Languages Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census)

Major Religion Lutheran

Monetary Unit Eesti kroon (EEK) the kroon is pegged to the euro on track joining the euro zone in 2011

Main Exports machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products

Main Source of Income engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications

Especially known for highly developed information technology, engineering, biotechnology, e-democracy. Skype invented in Estonia. A small country entirely covered with wireless internet access, lots of natural beauty and clean nature. Famous classical composer Arvo Pärt comes from Estonia. Cross-country skiing. First country to implement online voting, even on general elections.

GDP per Capita $18,700 (2009 est.)

Internet Domain .ee

International Dialling Code +372