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This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


Map of Estonia




Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order

   Introduction    Estonia Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
   Geography    Estonia Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
59 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Europe
Area:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 45,226 sq km
land: 43,211 sq km
water: 2,015 sq km
note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Area - comparative:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
Land boundaries:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 633 km
border countries: Latvia 343 km, Russia 290 km
Coastline:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
3,794 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states
Climate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Terrain:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
Land use:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
arable land: 12.05%
permanent crops: 0.35%
other: 87.6% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
40 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
21.1 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 1.41 cu km/yr (56%/39%/5%)
per capita: 1,060 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one-20th the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
   People    Estonia Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,299,371 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
0-14 years: 14.9% (male 99,748/female 94,051)
15-64 years: 67.5% (male 417,816/female 459,246)
65 years and over: 17.6% (male 75,486/female 153,024) (2009 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 39.9 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 43.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
-0.632% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
10.37 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
13.35 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
-3.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
urban population: 69% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female
total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 7.32 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.48 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total population: 72.82 years
male: 67.45 years
female: 78.53 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.42 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.3% (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
9,900 (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
noun: Estonian(s)
adjective: Estonian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7% (2000 census)
Literacy:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.8% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
5.1% of GDP (2004)
   Government    Estonia Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Estonia
conventional short form: Estonia
local long form: Eesti Vabariik
local short form: Eesti
former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
parliamentary republic
Capital:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
name: Tallinn
geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond); Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)
note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses
Independence:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
20 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
adopted 28 June 1992
Legal system:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
Executive branch:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)
cabinet: Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last held 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23 September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received 174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left blank or invalid
Legislative branch:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%, Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 31, Center Party 29, Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian People's Union 6
Judicial branch:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Nochnoy Dozor/Night Watch anti-fascist movement (leader Alexander KOROBOV)
International organization participation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
chief of mission: Ambassador Vaino REINART
chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Karen DECKER
embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [372] 668-8100
FAX: [372] 668-8265
Flag description:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
   Economy    Estonia Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based economy and one of the highest per capita income levels in Central Europe. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their commitment to promarket reforms. Tallinn's priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% over the last four years. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The current government has pursued relatively sound fiscal policies, resulting in balanced budgets and low public debt. Rapid growth, however, has made it difficult to keep inflation and large current-account deficits from soaring, putting downward pressure on the country's currency. The government has not given up on joining the euro, but has repeatedly postponed its euro adoption target. Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and even fell into recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$27.72 billion (2008 est.)
$28.73 billion (2007)
$27.02 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
$23.46 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
-3% (2008 est.)
6.3% (2007 est.)
10.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$21,200 (2008 est.)
$21,800 (2007 est.)
$20,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 32.3%
services: 64.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
686,000 (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
agriculture: 4.7%
industry: 33.7%
services: 61.6% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
6.2% (30 September 2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 27.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
34 (2008)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
29.4% of GDP (2008 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
revenues: $8.92 billion
expenditures: $9.091 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
3.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
10.4% (2008 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
6.46% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$7.158 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$4.253 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$21.35 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$6.037 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Industries:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
2.5% (2008 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
12.19 billion kWh (2007)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
7.18 billion kWh (2007)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
2.765 billion kWh (2007)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
345 million kWh (2007)
Oil - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
7,430 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
30,440 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
7,000 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
28,170 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.003 billion cu m (2007)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.003 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
-$3.037 billion (2008 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$13.16 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products (2007)
Exports - partners:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Finland 17.9%, Sweden 13.2%, Latvia 11.4%, Russia 8.9%, Lithuania 5.8%, Germany 5.2%, US 4.1% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$16.23 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
machinery and equipment 35%, textiles 19%, mineral fuels 19%, chemical products 9%, foodstuffs 6% (2001)
Imports - partners:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Finland 15.9%, Germany 12.8%, Sweden 10.1%, Russia 10%, Latvia 7.6%, Lithuania 6.9%, Poland 4.5% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$3.657 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$29.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$18.94 billion (2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$6.723 billion (2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
krooni (EEK) per US dollar - 10.7 (2008), 11.535 (2007), 12.473 (2006), 12.584 (2005), 12.596 (2004)
note: the krooni is pegged to the euro
   Communications    Estonia Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
495,500 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.982 million (2007)
Telephone system:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income-tax returns online, and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections
domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet services is available throughout the country
international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
AM 0, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
4 (2007)
Internet country code:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
.ee
Internet hosts:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
645,495 (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
780,000 (2007)
   Transportation    Estonia Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
19 (2008)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2008)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (2008)
Heliports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
1 (2007)
Pipelines:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
gas 859 km (2008)
Railways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 816 km
broad gauge: 816 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified) (2007)
Roadways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 57,016 km
paved: 12,926 km (includes 99 km of expressways)
unpaved: 44,090 km (2005)
Waterways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
320 km (2008)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 29
by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 21, petroleum tanker 2, chemical tanker 1
foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, Norway 2)
registered in other countries: 85 (Antigua and Barbuda 23, Belize 6, Cyprus 5, Dominica 7, Finland 2, Latvia 2, Liberia 1, Malta 11, Norway 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Sweden 2, Vanuatu 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu
   Military    Estonia Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti Ohuvagi), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription "likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
males age 16-49: 306,273
females age 16-49: 317,852 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
males age 16-49: 216,483
females age 16-49: 260,408 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
male: 7,583
female: 7,111 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
2% of GDP (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Estonia Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


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