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Information about Estonia General information
Estonia (Eesti), officially the Republic of Estonia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Finland across Gulf of Finland, to the west by Sweden across the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by the Russian Federation. The capital city of Estonia - Tallinn is known for its beautiful medieval old down, narrow cobblestones streets, dozens of cozy cafés and restaurants, historic churches and scenic ruins, galleries and boutiques.
The country has a long and rich history. During the centuries the country has swept across by Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians. Eventually, on 24 February 1918, Estonia declared its independence. Its period of independence was brief, however, and Estonia was forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. But in 1991 Estonians again reasserted their independence, and peacefully broke away from the Soviet Union.
Estonia is a democratic parliamentary republic and is divided into fifteen counties. Head of the state is the president – currently Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Estonia is a member of the European Union since 2004.
Estonia lies on the area of 45,227 sq km and the total population is 1 342 000 inhabitants. Ethnic Estonians constitutes estimably 70% of the population, the largest minority group is Russian with 28% of the population. The majority are non-religious, 23% Christian, with Lutheranism and Orthodoxy.
The country's official language is Estonian, which belongs to the Balto-Finnic group of the Finno-Ugric languages. Many people also speak Russian, which is the mother tongue of around 30% of the population. Most common foreign languages spoken by Estonians are English, German, Russian, and Finnish.
The character of Estonians has been shaped by their country's history and its natural environment. A foreigner is well advised to bear in mind that in human relations, Estonians try to avoid sentimentality. Much of what other nationalities voice without hesitation, Estonians may reveal only once they know a person quite well.
At weekends Estonians like to go out with friends visit clubs, restaurants, cafés, cinema etc. Socialising is at its most active Thursday-Saturday nights, between 23.00-03.00. Also sauna and song festivals are inseparable parts of Estonian culture.
The weather is slightly cool and humid. Summer is warm, while spring and autumn can be mild. Average temperatures range from 20.9° C in summer (usually July is the hottest month) to - 8°C in winter. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year.
Travelling in the country
Tallinn Airport is located 5 km northwest of the city. Buses run between the city and the airport regularly, journey time – 15 minutes. See the timetable for bus nr 2 (Mõigu-Reisisadam). The bus ticket costs 20 EEK (1.5 €) if you buy it from the bus or 13 EEK (1 €) from R-kiosk.
There is a wide bus network covering most of the country, including express services. The bus terminal of Tallinn (Tallinna Bussijaam) is located on Lastekodu St 46. To get from the airport to the bus station, take bus nr. 2 direction city centre and get off at the third stop, which is called Bussijaam. An estimated cost of a taxi ride from the airport to Bussijaam is 5-6 €. http://www.tulikatakso.ee/
There is also a railway service between the capital Tallinn and the biggest cities: Tartu, Narva, Viljandi, Pärnu.
Useful information
Calls to Estonia: the country code for Estonia is +372. Dial +372, then the area code and the subscriber's number. Calls from Estonia:dial 00 + the country code + area code + the subscriber's number.
The local currency is Estonian kroon (EEK). In Estonia you can pay in local currency only. It is linked to Euro so that 1 EUR = 15.64 EEK. For a better exchange rate, it is suggested to change money at the airport, banks or currency exchange bureaus. Visa, MasterCard and credit cards are widely accepted in bigger towns. There are ATMs in most of the towns.
Most of the shops are open between 09.00 - 19.00 or 20.00 on weekdays and until 15.00 on Saturdays. In larger towns shopping centers are open until 21.00 even on Sundays. Supermarkets are usually open til 23.00.
NB! Legal age to buy alcohol and sigarettes in Estonia is 18. And this regulation is very strict! There is also another alcohol related regulation: you can’t buy alcohol from any store between 22.00 to 10.00.
International Student card ISIC and EURO<26 afford reductions on local transport and entry fees to the museums and theatres, also at some eating and entertainment places. For details please see links below.
There is a wide range of accommodation possibilities in Estonia.
http://www.balticbookings.com/eyha/
www.visitestonia.com/
Some useful phrases
Hi; Hello! – Tere! Yes – Jah
Goodbye! – Head aega! No – Ei
Thank you – Aitäh Cheers! – Terviseks!
Please; You are welcome. – Palun Do you speak English? – Kas te räägite inglise keelt?
Excuse me – Vabandage Where is the toilet? – Kus on tualett?
Useful links
http://www.bussireisid.ee
http://www.inyourpocket.com/country/estonia.html
http://www.euro26.org
http://www.isic.org
http://www.estyes.ee/index.php?loc=15&tree=1_15&lang=1
http://kaart.tallinn.ee
http://www.regio.ee
http://www.weather.ee/
http://www.speakestonian.co.uk/
http://www.edel.ee
http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/
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