GENERAL INFORMATION
Area
45,227 sq km (17,462 sq miles).
Population
1,356,045 (official estimate 2003).
Population Density
30 per sq km.
Capital
Tallinn.
Population: 397,150 (official estimate 2003).
Government
Republic since 1918. Regained independence in 1991.
Head of State: President Arnold Rüütel since 2001.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Juhan Parts since 2003.
Language
Estonian is the official language. Most people also speak Russian, which is the mother tongue of around 30 per cent of the population. However, since independence the indiscriminate use of Russian could on occasion cause offence. In addition to Russian, the most common foreign languages are English, Finnish and German.
Religion
Predominantly Protestant (Lutheran).
Time
GMT + 2.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.
Communications
Telephone
IDD service is available. Country code: 372. To make international calls, dial 8, wait for the long tone and then dial 00. An English directory enquiries service is available (tel: 8 1182). Public telephones, which are plentiful, are operated by phonecards, available from kiosks.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover the whole country. Main operators include AS EMT, Radiolinja Eesti and TELE2.
Fax
Services are available at telephone offices and some post offices, as well as in hotels.
Internet
Public access is available at Internet cafes and libraries in main towns and cities. There is free Internet access at Tallinn Airport. Local ISPs include Delfi Online and Sünerkom.
Post
Post to Western Europe takes up to six days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Poste Restante is available at the central post office in Tallinn located at Narva 1.
Press
Newspapers are published in Estonian, the most popular being Eesti Ekspress, Postimees and SL Ôhtuleht. The English-language newspaper The Baltic Times is published in Latvia and available weekly. There are a growing number of city guides published in English.
Radio
BBC World Service and Voice of America can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2005: New Year’s Day.
Feb 24: Independence Day.
Mar 25: Good Friday.
May 1: May Day.
Jun 23: Victory Day.
Jun 24: Midsummer’s Day.
Aug 20: Restoration of Independence Day.
Dec 25-26: Christmas.
Jan 1 2006: New Year’s Day.
Feb 24: Independence Day.
Apr 14: Good Friday.
May 1: May Day.
Jun 23: Victory Day (Anniversary of the Battle of Võnnu).
Jun 24: Midsummer’s Day.
Aug 20: Restoration of Independence Day.
Dec 25-26: Christmas.
Special Events
For detailed information on major events and festivals occurring in Estonia, contact the Estonian Embassy or the tourist office (see General Info section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in 2005:
Jan 8-9: World Cup in Cross-Country Skiing.
Feb 13: Tartu Marathon, Tehvandi Ski Stadium.
Apr 9-10: 11th International Pärnu Film and Video Festival.
Apr 25-May 1: The University Spring Festivities.
May 5-7: Nordic Poetry Festival.
Jun 3-Aug 26: 3rd Pärnu Organ Festival.
Jun 30-Jul 3: 25th International Hanseatic Days.
Jul 2-Aug 4: David Oistrakh Festival.
Jul 14-17: 15th International Folklore Festival Pärnumaa Pirand.
Jul 16-Aug 3: Glasperlenspiel Music Festival.
Aug 12-13: Saku Suverull.
Contact Information:
Location
Northern Europe.
Country dialing code
372.
Estonian Tourist Board
1315 Liivalaia Street, 10118 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: (6) 279 770. Fax: (6) 279 777.
Tourist information can be obtained within Estonia (tel: 8 1188).
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia
16 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DG, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 3428. Fax: (020) 7589 3430.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (embassy); Mon and Fri 1000-1300, Tue and Thurs 1300-1600 (consular section).
British Embassy
Wismari 6, 10136 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: (6) 674 700. Fax: (6) 674 724/5 (consular section).
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia
2131 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Tel: (202) 588 0101. Fax: (202) 588 0108.
Consulate of the Republic of Estonia
600 Third Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: (212) 883 0636. Fax: (212) 883 0648.
Embassy of the United States of America
Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: (6) 688 100. Fax: (6) 688 134 or 267 (consular section).
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia
260 Dalhousie Street, Suite 210, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E4, Canada
Tel: (613) 789 4222. Fax: (613) 789 9555.
The Office of the Canadian Embassy
Toom Kooli 13, 2nd Floor, 10130 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: (6) 273 311 or 310 (visa section). Fax: (6) 273 312.
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