The document provides an overview of Estonia, including its history, geography, politics, economy, and culture. Estonia gained independence in 1991 after being occupied by the Soviet Union since World War II. The capital and largest city is Tallinn, with a population of around 400,000 people. Key facts include that Estonians make up 69% of the population, the national language is Estonian, and the currency is the Euro.
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
The popular pocket-sized reference book provides a concise overview of Estonia based on essential statistical indicators. The main focus is on the preceding year, which is compared with the previous ten years as well as with data on other European Union countries.
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
The popular pocket-sized reference book provides a concise overview of Estonia based on essential statistical indicators. The main focus is on the preceding year, which is compared with the previous ten years as well as with data on other European Union countries.
3. Baltic Sea
Neighbours:
◦ Russia – East
◦ Latvia – South
◦ Finland – North
◦ Sweden – West
Strategic place
4. Capital – Tallinn
◦ Population: ~400 000
Population of Estonia: ~1 340 000
◦ 69% Estonians
◦ Other 31%:
Russians 25.5%
Ukrainians 2.1%
Belarussians 1.3%
5. National language: Estonian
◦ Finno-Ugric
◦ Relative languages:
Finnish
Hungarian?
Area: 45 227 km2
15 Counties
Currency: EURO
(1st January 2011)
6. 1208-1227 – Ancient War of Independence
◦ vs. Livonian Brothers of the Sword
◦ More than 700 years of occupation
24 February 1918 – Estonian Declaration of
Independence
1940 – Estonia’s annexation by USSR
1941-1944 – German Occupation
1945-1991 – Soviet Occupation
24 August 1991 – Estonia’s re-independence
7. Democratic parlamentary republic
President: Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Prime Minister: Andrus Ansip
Parliament – 101 members
4 main parties:
◦ Estonian Reform Party
◦ Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL)
◦ Estonian Centre Party
◦ Estonian Social Democrats
Main subject in Foreign Politics - Russia
8.
9. International organizations:
◦ United Nations
◦ European Union
◦ NATO
◦ etc.
Eurozone & Schengen Agreement
Small country – voice isn’t heard in the EU
10. GDP: ~ $25 billion
Main export: Machinery & Equipment (33%)
Major trading partner: Finland
Inflation & Unemployment
Economy has one of the best growth rates in
Europe (because of joining the Eurozone)!
12. Latvia & Lithuania
Shared the same fate
Competing in everything
Estonia is the best developer in Balticum
13. Estonian Song and Dance celebration
◦ Choral festival
◦ 25000+ singers
◦ Every 5 years
◦ Since 1869
◦ Youth celebration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_lc92Rq4j4
14. Skiing – the most important sport
◦ Many winter olympic medals
Football – the most popular sport
◦ Play-offs of Euro 2012 qualification
Athletics
◦ Olympic gold in decathlon
and discus throw
15. 4 seasons
◦ Cold winters and reasonable summers
Coldest month: February (avg. -5 °C)
Warmest month: July (avg. +18 °C)
16. Flat – highest point 318m
Forest covers ~40% of territory
1521 islands, under 20 inhabited
17. We have invented Skype, which is probably
our greatest invention!
Our important discovery is the mammal egg
cell, discovered by Karl Ernst von Baer in 1827
We won the Eurovision Song Contest in
2001, with the song
„Everybody“
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9BRdHhk2I