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{{Country
|name =''Eesti Vabariik''
|map =Estonia rel99.jpg
|map2 =Estonia location.png
|flag =Flag of Estonia.png
|arms =Arms of Estonia.png
|capital =Tallinn
|capital-raw =
|government =Parliamentary Republic
|government-raw =
|language =Latvian
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Toomas Hendrik Ilves
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Andrus Ansip
|pm-raw =
|area =17,413 sq mi
|pop =1,340,000
|pop-basis =2008
|gdp =$21.3 billion
|gdp-year =2007
|gdp-pc =$15,868
|currency =Kroon
|idd =
|tld =
}}
The Republic of '''Estonia''' (''Eesti Vabariik'') is the northernmost of the [[Baltic States]] in northern [[Europe]] (the others being [[Lithuania]] and [[Latvia]]), located on the [[Baltic Sea]] and the Gulf of [[Finland]]. The capital city is is [[Tallinn]].
The Republic of '''Estonia''' (''Eesti Vabariik'') is the northernmost of the [[Baltic States]] in northern [[Europe]] (the others being [[Lithuania]] and [[Latvia]]), located on the [[Baltic Sea]] and the Gulf of [[Finland]]. The capital city is is [[Tallinn]].
Estonia's strategic location has precipitated many wars fought on its territory between other rival powers at its expense. In 1944, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) granted Russia the trans-Narva and Petseri regions on Estonia's eastern frontier. Russia and Estonia signed a border treaty in 2005 recognizing the current border. Estonia ratified the treaty in June 2005, but Russia subsequently revoked its signature to the treaty, due to a reference the Estonian Parliament inserted regarding the Peace Treaty of Tartu.
Estonia's strategic location has precipitated many wars fought on its territory between other rival powers at its expense. In 1944, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) granted Russia the trans-Narva and Petseri regions on Estonia's eastern frontier. Russia and Estonia signed a border treaty in 2005 recognizing the current border. Estonia ratified the treaty in June 2005, but Russia subsequently revoked its signature to the treaty, due to a reference the Estonian Parliament inserted regarding the Peace Treaty of Tartu.
*Area: 45,226 sq. km. (17,462 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined.
*Cities: Capital--Tallinn (2008 pop. 397,617), situated in the north of the country, on the Gulf of Finland. Other cities--university town of Tartu (102,414); the primarily Russian-speaking industrial towns of Narva (66,435) and Kohtla-Järve (45,093) in the north-east of Estonia; Pärnu on the western coast (44,016); and Viljandi in the rural south (20,117). The last population census was held in 2000.
*Terrain: Mostly flat, with some undulating terrain in the east and southeast, average elevation 50 m. Steep limestone banks and 1,520 islands mark the coastline. Land use--12.05% arable land, 47.4% forest and woodland, 22% swamps and bogs, 18.55% other. Coastal waters are somewhat polluted.
*Climate: Temperate, with four seasons. Annual precipitation averages 50-75 cm.
==People==
==People==
Written with the Latin alphabet, Estonian is the language of the Estonian people and the official language of the country. Estonian is very difficult to learn for English-speakers: it has fourteen cases, which can be a challenge even for skilled linguists. During the Soviet era, the Russian language was imposed for official use.
Written with the Latin alphabet, Estonian is the language of the Estonian people and the official language of the country. Estonian is very difficult to learn for English-speakers: it has fourteen cases, which can be a challenge even for skilled linguists. During the Soviet era, the Russian language was imposed for official use.
*Population (2006): 1,324,333.
*Population (2008): 1,340,000.
*Annual growth rate: -0.65%. Birth rate--10.04/1,000. Death rate--13.25/1,000. Net migration--3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006). Density--31/sq. km. Urban dwellers--70%.
*Annual growth rate: -0.65%. Birth rate--10.04/1,000. Death rate--13.25/1,000. Net migration--3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006). Density--31/sq. km. Urban dwellers--70%.
*Ethnic groups: Estonians 68%, Russians 26%, Ukrainians 2%, Belarusians 1%, Finns 1%, other 2.2%.
*Ethnic groups: Estonians 68%, Russians 26%, Ukrainians 2%, Belarusians 1%, Finns 1%, other 2.2%.
Estonia's liberal economic policies and macroeconomic stability have fostered exceptionally strong growth and better living standards than those of most new EU member states. The IMF projected real GDP growth at over 9% in 2006, slightly below its 2005 level. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors; the country is so wired that it is nicknamed E-stonia. Bars and cafes are universally equipped with wireless connections. Skype, designed by Estonian developers, offers free calls over the Internet to millions of people worldwide. Tourism has also driven Estonia's economic growth, with beautifully restored Tallinn already a Baltic tourist landmark.
Estonia's liberal economic policies and macroeconomic stability have fostered exceptionally strong growth and better living standards than those of most new EU member states. The IMF projected real GDP growth at over 9% in 2006, slightly below its 2005 level. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors; the country is so wired that it is nicknamed E-stonia. Bars and cafes are universally equipped with wireless connections. Skype, designed by Estonian developers, offers free calls over the Internet to millions of people worldwide. Tourism has also driven Estonia's economic growth, with beautifully restored Tallinn already a Baltic tourist landmark.
*GDP (2006): $13.3 billion.
*GDP (2007): $21.3 billion.
*Real GDP growth rate (2006 est.): 9.8%.
*Real GDP growth rate (2006 est.): 9.8%.
*Per capita GDP (2006): $9,936.
*Per capita GDP (2007): $15,868.
*Inflation (2006): 4.4%.
*Inflation (2007): 6.6%.
*Unemployment (2006): 4.5%.
*Unemployment (2006): 4.5%.
*Natural resources: Oil shale, phosphorus, limestone, blue clay.
*Natural resources: Oil shale, phosphorus, limestone, blue clay.