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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Radios [time series]

710,000 (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

400,000 (1994 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Televisions [time series]

600,000 (1993 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $620 million expenditures : $582 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (January-October 1995)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

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

Debt - external [time series]

$270 million (January 1996)

Economic aid [time series]

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

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Estonia continues to experience strong economic growth after its economy bottomed out in 1993. Bolstered by a widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western Europe, Estonia has adhered to disciplined fiscal and financial policies and has led the FSU countries in pursuing economic reform. Monthly inflation has been held to 2% in 1995-96. Following four years of decline, Estonia's GDP grew at 3% in 1995 and 1996. Despite these positive economic indicators, the current account deficit is widening. The resident IMF representative in Estonia has been worried since early 1996 about a rising public sector deficit boosted by local government spending. Small- and medium-scale privatization is essentially complete, and large-scale privatization is progressing gradually. In 1996, Estonia's national airline was privatized; in 1997 Estonia plans to privatize large infrastructure, i.e., Eesti Energia, Tallinn Port, Estonian Telecom, and Oil Shale. Estonia has successfully reoriented its trade toward the West, two-thirds of exports now going to Western markets. Estonia's free trade policies were the cornerstone of its negotiations with the European Union, and led to the signing of an association agreement in June 1995. Estonia was the only Baltic state not to have a transition period imposed by the EU prior to its implementation of a free trade agreement.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

3.29 million kW (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

4,005 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

8.6 billion kWh (1994)

Exchange rates [time series]

krooni (EEK) per US$1 - 12.6 (January 1997), 12.410 (December 1996), 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 [time series]

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 [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $8.1 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 10% industry: 37% services : 53% (1993 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $5,560 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value : $3.1 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 [time series]

3% (1996 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

23% (1996 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 750,000 (1992) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)

Unemployment rate [time series]

5% (1996 official est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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 [time series]

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Climate [time series]

maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Coastline [time series]

3,794 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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 [time series]

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Irrigated land [time series]

110 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land : 27% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 48% other : 18% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

flooding occurs frequently in the spring

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

marshy, lowlands

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru maakond (Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva), Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere), Parnu maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla maakond (Rapla), Saare maakond (Kuessaare), Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga), Viljandi maakond (Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Constitution [time series]

adopted 28 June 1992

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission : Ambassador Lawrence P. TAYLOR embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001 mailing address: American Embassy, Tallinn; PSC 78, Box T; APO AE 09723 telephone: [372] (6) 312-021

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission : Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lauri LEPIK chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

Estonia made up of 2 parties [time series]

United Peoples Party and the Russian People's Party of Estonia; United Peoples Party [Viktor ANDREJEV, chairman]; Russian Party of Estonia [Nikolai MASPANOV, chairman];

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (acting since NA March 1995; confirmed 17 April 1995) 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%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[372] (6) 312-025

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

National Court

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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 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

Moderates or M made up of 2 parties [time series]

Social Democratic Party and Rural Center Party; 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, now holds 6 or 7 seats in Parliament

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Tallinn

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 24 February (1918)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Coalition Party and Rural Union or KMU [Tiit VAHI, chairman] made up of 4 parties: Coalition Party, Country People's Party/Farmer's Assembly, Rural Union, and Pensioners' and Families' League; Reform Party-Liberals or RE [Siim KALLAS, chairman]; Center Party or K [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League (Isamaa) [Toivo JURGENSON, chairman]; National Independence Party or ERSP [Kelam TUNNE, chairman]; Our Home is

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Historical perspective [time series]

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

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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 [time series]

$35 million (1995)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.5% (1995)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 353,616 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males : 277,489 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 10,396 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19% (male 141,814; female 136,895) 15-64 years: 67% (male 460,067; female 495,935) 65 years and over: 14% (male 65,302; female 136,545) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.04 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.08 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

14.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.38 years male : 62.39 years female: 74.67 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian

Net migration rate [time series]

-6.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

1,436,558 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-1.14% (1997 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.29 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996, which Estonia is prepared to sign and ratify in January 1997; Estonia had claimed over 2,000 sq km territory in the Narva and Pechory regions in Russia - based on boundary established under the 1920 Peace Treaty of Tartu

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

22 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total : 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 14,992 km paved: 8,096 km (including 65 km of expressways) unpaved : 6,896 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,492 GRT/478,441 DWT ships by type : bulk 7, cargo 31, container 4, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 420 km (1992)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

500 km perennially navigable