Estonia
General InformationThe Republic of Estonia is located in northeastern Europe. The country covers an area of about 45,100 sq. km. The capital and largest city as well as the chief port is Tallinn. The official state language is Estonian. The unit of currency is the kroon. | |
Historical BackgroundThe ancestors of Estonians most likely settled on the Baltic shores around 3500 BC and were organised in federated small states by the 1st century AD. Since early 13th century, Estonia was under the German, Danish and Swedish rule until 1721, when it was ceded to Russia. The 1917 Russian Revolution brought self government to the Estonians, and in February 1918 an independent democratic republic was proclaimed. In 1940, it was annexed to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In 1991, Estonia regained its independence. In 1992, Estonia adopted a new constitution and held its first legislative elections. | |
GovernmentThe head of state is a president elected by secret ballot of parliament for a five-year term. The president nominates a prime minister, subject to approval by parliament. The prime minister selects a Cabinet of Ministers. The legislative branch is a unicameral Riigikogu. It consists of 101 members elected by direct popular vote for a four year term. Estonia has a three-tiered judicial system with the National Court at its apex. The National Court is the final court of appeal and also functions as constitutional court. District courts act as courts of appeal and may thus overrule city, rural and administrative courts. Estonia is administratively divided into 15 counties and 6 municipalities (towns). Directly elected councils manage local governments. | |
PopulationIn 2006, the population of Estonia was estimated at 1,3 mln. An average population density is 31 persons per sq. km. Some 70 percent of the population reside in urban areas. Nearly 64 percent of the population are ethnic Estonians. The remainder includes Russians (29 percent), Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Finns. About 46 percent of the people of Estonia are practising Christians, including Lutherans, Methodists, and Orthodox Christians. Very small groups adhere to the Jewish and Muslim faiths.
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EconomyThe service sector, including trade and business activities, takes the biggest share of the workforce. The principal agricultural activity is animal breading for meat and milk production. Leading crops are potatoes and grains. Agriculture, together with forestry and fishing, employs 9 percent of the workforce. Machine building, electronics manufacturing and electrical engineering dominate Estonia's industrial sector. The processing of the country's fish catch and farm products also adds value. Mining is focused on extracting oil shale and peat. The industrial sector employs 32 percent of the workforce. Chief exports are food and animal products, textiles, and timber products. Finland is Estonia's principal trading partner. Other leading customers for Estonian exports are Sweden, Germany, Latvia, and Russia. Leading imports are machinery and transportation equipment, mineral products, textiles, and foods. Chief sources for imports, in addition to Finland, are Germany, Sweden, and Russia. | |
Social SystemEducation is compulsory for 9 years beginning at the age of 7. Estonia has several institutions of higher education. The oldest is the University of Tartu, founded in 1632. Another major university is Tallinn Technical University, founded in 1936. The state provides pensions and child support, and low cost national medical care. | |
Membership in International OrganisationsEstonia is a member of the United Nations and a number of its specialised agencies (UN High Commissioner for Regugees, International Labour Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and International Monetary Fund), the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Estonia is a member of the International Organisation for Migration, the World Trade Organisation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In April 2004, the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. In 1995, Estonia applied to join the European Union (EU) and entered negotiations for full EU membership in 1998. In May 2004, Estonia and nine other countries joined the EU as full members. Estonia's relations with Latvia and Lithuania are co-ordinated through the Baltic Assembly, a consultative inter-parliamentary body created in 1991.
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Legislation on Migration and AsylumThe migration and asylum issues are regulated by the following main legal documents:
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Participation in International and Regional InitiativesEstonia participates in the following international and regional initiatives in the field of asylum, migration and border management:
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