1998 Edition

Area

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

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Climate

maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline

3,794 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

Environment-current issues

air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former Soviet military bases; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas are heavily affected by organic waste; coastal sea water is polluted in many locations

Environment-international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Irrigated land

110 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km

Land use

arable land: 22% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 11% forests and woodland: 31% other: 36% (1993 est.)

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone: limits to be fixed in coordination with neighboring states territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding occurs frequently in the spring

Natural resources

shale oil (kukersite), peat, phosphorite, amber, cambrian blue clay

Terrain

marshy, lowlands

Age structure

0-14 years: 19% (male 136,278; female 131,480) 15-64 years: 67% (male 456,796; female 492,946) 65 years and over: 14% (male 66,261; female 137,574) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

9.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

14.15 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

Estonian 64.2%, Russian 28.7%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.9% (1995)

Infant mortality rate

13.98 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages

Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, other

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 68.52 years male: 62.5 years female: 74.83 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1989 est.)

Nationality

noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian

Net migration rate

-4.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

1,421,335 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.99% (1998 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, others include Baptist, Methodist, 7th Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, 7th Day Baptist, Judaism

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.29 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

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 (Kuessaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Constitution

adopted 28 June 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code

EN

Executive branch

chief of state: President Lennart MERI (since 5 October 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Mart SIIMANN (since 12 March 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held August-September 1996 (next to be held fall 2001); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: Lennart MERI elected president by an electoral assembly after Parliament was unable to break a deadlock between MERI and RUUTEL; percent of electoral assembly vote-Lennert MERI 61%, Arnold RUUTEL 39%

FAX

[1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Walter ANDRUSYSZYU embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001 mailing address: American Embassy Tallinn; PSC 78, Box T; APO AE 09723 telephone: [372] (6) 312-021

[372] (6) 312-025

Flag description

pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990-three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Grigore-Kalev STOICESCU chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

Judicial branch

National Court, chairman appointed by the Parliament for life Political parties and leaders: Coalition Party and Rural Union or KMU [Mart SIIMAN, chairman] made up of 4 parties: Coalition Party or EK, Country People's Party [Arnold RUUTEL, chairman]/Farmer's Assembly or EME, Rural Union or EM [Arvo SIRENDI, chairman] , and Pensioners' and Families' League or EPPL [Mai TREIAL, chairperson]; Reform Party or RE [Siim KALLAS, chairman]; Center Party or K [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League (Isamaaliit) [Toivo JURGENSON, chairman]; National Independence Party or ERSP [Tunne KELAM, chairman]; Our Home is Estonia [Viktor ANDREJEV] made up of two parties: United Peoples Party and the Russian Party of Estonia; note-Our Home is Estonia split when two Russian Party of Estonia members withdrew; United Peoples Party [Viktor ANDREJEV, chairman]; Russian Party of Estonia [Nikolai MASPANOV, chairman]; Moderates or M [Andres TARAND] made up of two parties: Social Democratic Party or ESDP and Rural Center Party or EMK; Social Democratic Party [Eiki NESTOR, chairman]; Rural Center Party [Vambo KAAL, chairman]; Right-Wingers [Ulo NUGIS, chairman]; Republican Conservative [Vootele HANSEN]; Development/Progressive Party [Andra VEIDEMANN, chairwoman], note-party was created by defectors from Center Party in late spring 1996, Development Party faction split and now holds five independent seats

Legal system

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-KMU 32.22%, RE 16.18%, K 14.17%, Pro Patria and ERSP 7.85%, M 5.98%, Our Home is Estonia and Right-Wingers 5.0%; seats by party-KMU 41, RE 19, K 16, Pro Patria 8, Our Home is Estonia 6, M 6, Right-Wingers 5

National capital

Tallinn

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 February (1918)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Agriculture-products

potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish

Budget

revenues: $1.7 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $214 million (1996 est.)

Currency

1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August 1992)

Debt-external

$270 million (January 1996)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $147 million (1993) note: Western commitments $285 million (including international financial institutions)

Economy-overview

In 1997 Estonia's continued implementation of market economic reforms, disciplined fiscal and monetary policies, and a liberal free trade regime resulted in GDP growth of 10% and a drop in inflation to 11.2%. Estonia can point to its inclusion among the first group of Central and East European countries to begin EU accession talks in 1998 as its most significant economic achievement in 1997. Other economic strengths include solid investment grade rating from both Standard and Poors and Moody's, government revenue collection in excess of projections by more than 6%, growth in exports at a faster rate than imports, and record levels of foreign direct investment, among the highest per capita in Central and East Europe. Estonia privatized its shipping company in 1997, but failed to make as much progress privatizing other large infrastructure/utility companies, such as Eesti Energia and the Oil Shale company, which it plans to privatize in the next two years. The growing current account deficit, which stood at nearly 10% of GDP at yearend 1997, remains a serious concern. In 1998, GDP is expected to grow by 5.5% and inflation to fall 10%.

Electricity-capacity

3.287 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

4,355 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

8.083 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates

krooni (EEK) per US$1-14.527 (January 1998), 13.882 (1997), 12.034 (1996), 11.465 (1995), 12.991 (1994), 13.223 (1993); note-krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1

Exports

total value: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: textiles 16%, food products 16%, machinery and equipment 16%, metals 9% (1995) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Latvia (1995)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$9.34 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 7.1% industry: 24.9% services: 68% (1995 est.)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$6,450 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

10% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $3.2 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment 29%, foodstuffs 14%, minerals 13%, textiles 13%, metals 12% (1995) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany (1995)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (1996 est.)

Industries

oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel

Inflation rate-consumer price index

11.2% (1997 est.)

Labor force

total: 785,000 (1996 est.) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)

Radio broadcast stations

3 commercial broadcast stations, 1 government broadcast station (1994)

Radios

710,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system

system is antiquated; improvements are being made piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs and international connections; there are still about 150,000 unfulfilled requests for subscriber service domestic: substantial investment has been made in cellular systems which are operational throughout Estonia international: international traffic is carried to the other former Soviet republics by landline or microwave radio relay and to other countries partly by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch and partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber-optic, submarine cable which gives Estonia access to international circuits everywhere; access to the international packet-switched digital network via Helsinki

Telephones

400,000 (1994 est.)

Television broadcast stations

4 (1993) note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs

Televisions

600,000 (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.6% (1997 est.)

Airports

5 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.)

Highways

total: 15,304 km paved: 8,142 km (including 65 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,162 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 368,340 GRT/455,696 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 27, combination bulk 1, container 5, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 5 (1997 est.)

Pipelines

natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn

Railways

total: 1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not include dedicated industrial lines broad gauge: 1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995)

Waterways

500 km perennially navigable

Military branches

Ground Forces, Navy/Coast Guard, Air and Air Defense Force (not officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures-dollar figure

$35 million (1995)

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

1.5% (1995)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 351,148 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 275,610 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

18 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 10,424 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been ratified; Estonia claimed over 2,000 sq km territory in the Narva and Pechory regions of Russia-based on boundary established under the 1920 Peace Treaty of Tartu

Historical perspective

On 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a new constitution was promulgated in December 1994 and national and regional popular elections were held in May and June 1995.

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus, and cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia Introduction