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Europe :: Estonia

- ## Introduction :: ESTONIA

- Background:
  After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011.

- ## Geography :: ESTONIA

- Location:
  Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
  Geographic coordinates:
  59 00 N, 26 00 E
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 45,228 sq km
  land: 42,388 sq km
  water: 2,840 sq km
  note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
  Land boundaries:
  total: 657 km
  border countries (2): Latvia 333 km, Russia 324 km
  Coastline:
  3,794 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
  Climate:
  maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
  Terrain:
  marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
  highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
  Natural resources:
  oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 22.2%
  arable land 14.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 7.2%
  forest: 52.1%
  other: 25.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  4.58 sq km (2010)
  Total renewable water resources:
  12.81 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 1.8 cu km/yr (3%/97%/0%)
  per capita: 1,337 cu m/yr (2009)
  Natural hazards:
  sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
  Environment - current issues:
  air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amounts of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen dramatically; the pollution load of wastewater at purification plants has decreased substantially; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands

- ## People and Society :: ESTONIA

- Nationality:
  noun: Estonian(s)
  adjective: Estonian
  Ethnic groups:
  Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)
  Languages:
  Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)
  Religions:
  Lutheran 9.9%, Orthodox 16.2%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 2.2%, other 0.9%, none 54.1%, unspecified 16.7% (2011 est.)
  Population:
  1,265,420 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 15.99% (male 103,855/female 98,478)
  15-24 years: 9.74% (male 63,840/female 59,425)
  25-54 years: 41.83% (male 265,496/female 263,873)
  55-64 years: 13.32% (male 75,279/female 93,264)
  65 years and over: 19.12% (male 81,525/female 160,385) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 53.5%
  youth dependency ratio: 24.7%
  elderly dependency ratio: 28.8%
  potential support ratio: 3.5% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 41.2 years
  male: 37.6 years
  female: 44.5 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  -0.55% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 228
  Birth rate:
  10.51 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Death rate:
  12.4 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Net migration rate:
  -3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 67.5% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: -0.45% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  TALLINN (capital) 391,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 76.47 years
  male: 71.64 years
  female: 81.53 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Total fertility rate:
  1.59 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  63.4%
  note: percent of women aged 18-49 (2004/05)
  Health expenditures:
  5.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Physicians density:
  3.24 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  5.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 99% of population
  total: 99.6% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 1% of population
  total: 0.4% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 97.5% of population
  rural: 96.6% of population
  total: 97.2% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 2.5% of population
  rural: 3.4% of population
  total: 2.8% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  1.3% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  8,600 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: intermediate
  vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  24.5% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Education expenditures:
  5.2% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 99.8%
  male: 99.8%
  female: 99.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 16 years
  male: 16 years
  female: 17 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 20.9%
  male: 23.4%
  female: 17.9% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53

- ## Government :: ESTONIA

- 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
  Government type:
  parliamentary republic
  Capital:
  name: Tallinn
  geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E
  time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  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 (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)
  note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses
  Independence:
  20 August 1991 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
  Constitution:
  several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)
  Legal system:
  civil law system
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)
  head of government: Taavi ROIVAS (since 26 March 2014)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament
  elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting, then an electoral assembly of Parliament and local council members elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 29 August 2011 (next to be held in the fall of 2016); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
  election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES reelected president; Parliament vote - Toomas Hendrik ILVES (independent) 73, Indrek TARAND (independent) 25
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2019)
  election results: percent of vote by party - RE 27.7%, K 24.8%, SDE 15.2%, IRL 13.7, EV 8.7%, EKRE 8.1%; seats by party - RE 30, K 27, SDE 15, IRL 14, EV 8, EKRE 7
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and organized into the Civil Chamber with a chamber chairman and 6 justices, the Criminal Chamber with a chamber chairman and 5 justices, the Administrative Law Chamber with a chamber chairman and 4 justices, and the Constitutional Review Chamber with 9 members - the chief justice and 2 justices from the Civil Chamber, 3 from the Criminal Chamber and 3 from the Administrative chamber)
  judge selection and term of office: the chief justice is proposed by the president and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life
  subordinate courts: circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Edgar SAVISAAR]
  Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME]
  Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Taavi ROIVAS]
  Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL]
  Social Democratic Party or SDE [Sven MIKSER]
  Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) or IRL [Urmas REINSALU]
  International organization participation:
  Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Eerik MARMEI (since 18 September 2014)
  chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
  FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108
  consulate(s) general: New York
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey D. LEVINE (since 24 July 2012)
  embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
  mailing address: use embassy street address
  telephone: [372] 668-8100
  FAX: [372] 668-8134
  Flag description:
  three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white; various interpretations are linked to the flag colors; blue represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, while also reminiscent of the sky, sea, and lakes of the country; black symbolizes the soil of the country and the dark past and suffering endured by the Estonian people; white refers to the striving towards enlightenment and virtue, and is the color of birch bark and snow, as well as summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun
  National symbol(s):
  barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)
  lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS
  note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics

- ## Economy :: ESTONIA

- Economy - overview:
  Estonia, a member of the European Union since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered little in their commitment to pro-market reforms. The current government has followed sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and low public debt. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Estonia's economy fell into recession in mid-2008, as a result of an investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real estate market bubble and a decrease in export demand as result of economic slowdown in the rest of Europe, but the economy recovered strongly in the five years up to 2014. Growth fell below 2% in 2014 as a consequence of weak EU and Russian growth. Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, and the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $35.62 billion (2014 est.)
  $34.89 billion (2013 est.)
  $34.33 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 115
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $25.95 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.1% (2014 est.)
  1.6% (2013 est.)
  4.7% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $27,000 (2014 est.)
  $26,400 (2013 est.)
  $26,000 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Gross national saving:
  25.8% of GDP (2014 est.)
  26.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
  26.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 50.5%
  government consumption: 20.1%
  investment in fixed capital: 28.2%
  investment in inventories: -0.3%
  exports of goods and services: 87.1%
  imports of goods and services: -85.6%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3.6%
  industry: 29.2%
  services: 67.2% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  grain, potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
  Industries:
  engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
  Industrial production growth rate:
  2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Labor force:
  669,800 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 3.9%
  industry: 28.4%
  services: 67.7% (2014)
  Unemployment rate:
  7% (2014 est.)
  8.6% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Population below poverty line:
  22.1% (2013 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.7%
  highest 10%: 27.7% (2004)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  32.9 (2013)
  37 (1999)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Budget:
  revenues: $9.811 billion
  expenditures: $9.877 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  37.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Public debt:
  9.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  9.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
  note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.1% (2014 est.)
  2.8% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  5.1% (31 December 2014 est.)
  5.37% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Stock of narrow money:
  $10.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $9.741 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Stock of broad money:
  $14.71 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $14.05 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $21.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $21.24 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $2.332 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $1.611 billion (31 December 2011)
  $2.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Current account balance:
  -$14 million (2014 est.)
  -$271 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Exports:
  $15.82 billion (2014 est.)
  $15.22 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Exports - commodities:
  machinery and electrical equipment 29%, food products and beverages 16%, mineral fuels 11%, wood and wood products 9%, metals 7%, furniture 7%, vehicles and parts 5%, textiles 4%, chemicals 5% (2014 est.)
  Exports - partners:
  Sweden 17.4%, Finland 16.6%, Russia 11.7%, Latvia 10.7%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 4.7% (2013)
  Imports:
  $17.05 billion (2014 est.)
  $16.52 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and electrical equipment 28 %, mineral fuels 13%, food and food products 10%, chemical products 8%, metals 8%, plastics 5% (2014 est.)
  Imports - partners:
  Finland 15.1%, Germany 10.8%, Sweden 10.4%, Latvia 9.5%, Lithuania 8.9%, Poland 8.2%, Russia 4.7%, China 4.3%, UK 4.3% (2013)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $366 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $314.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Debt - external:
  $22.79 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $21.33 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $25 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $24 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $9.012 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $8.762 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Exchange rates:
  kroon (EEK) per US dollar -
  0.7697 (2013 est.)
  0.7778 (2012 est.)
  0.72 (2011 est.)
  11.81 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: ESTONIA

- Electricity - production:
  11.66 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Electricity - consumption:
  7.681 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Electricity - exports:
  6.301 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  Electricity - imports:
  2.712 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  2.825 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  91.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  8.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Crude oil - production:
  13,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  29,550 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  21,490 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Natural gas - consumption:
  678 million cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  Natural gas - imports:
  678 million cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  5.686 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123

- ## Communications :: ESTONIA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 410,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 2.1 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 162 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service with a wide range of high-quality voice, data, and Internet services available
  domestic: substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income tax returns online, and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections
  international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 2 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than half of Estonian households connected (2008)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 0, FM 34, shortwave 0 (2009)
  Television broadcast stations:
  15 (2008)
  Internet country code:
  .ee
  Internet users:
  total: 1 million
  percent of population: 81.6% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122

- ## Transportation :: ESTONIA

- Airports:
  18 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 13
  over 3,047 m: 2
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 5
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m:
  3 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2012)
  Pipelines:
  gas 868 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 1,196 km
  broad gauge: 1,196 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (133 km electrified)
  note: includes 277 km of private rail (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Roadways:
  total: 58,412 km (includes urban roads)
  paved: 10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways)
  unpaved: 47,985 km (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Waterways:
  335 km (320 km are navigable year round) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Merchant marine:
  total: 25
  by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 2
  foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2)
  registered in other countries: 63 (Antigua and Barbuda 10, Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 6, Dominica 6, Finland 2, Latvia 3, Malta 16, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 2, Sweden 3, Venezuela 1, unknown 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn

- ## Military :: ESTONIA

- Military branches:
  Estonian Defense Forces (Eesti Kaitsevagi): Land Force (Maavagi), Navy (Merevagi), Air Force (Ohuvagi), Defense League (Kaitseliit) (2012)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-27 for compulsory military or governmental service, conscript service requirement 8-11 months depending on education; NCOs, reserve officers, and specialists serve 11 months (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 291,801
  females age 16-49: 302,696 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 210,854
  females age 16-49: 251,185 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 6,668
  female: 6,309 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  2% of GDP (2013)
  1.92% of GDP (2012)
  1.69% of GDP (2011)
  1.92% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 39

- ## Transnational Issues :: ESTONIA

- Disputes - international:
  Russia and Estonia in May 2005 signed a technical border agreement, but Russia in June 2005 recalled its signature after the Estonian parliament added to its domestic ratification act a historical preamble referencing the Soviet occupation and Estonia's pre-war borders under the 1920 Treaty of Tartu; Russia contends that the preamble allows Estonia to make territorial claims on Russia in the future, while Estonian officials deny that the preamble has any legal impact on the treaty text; Russia demands better treatment of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia implements strict Schengen border rules with Russia
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  stateless persons: 88,076 (2014); note - following independence in 1991, automatic citizenship was restricted to those who were Estonian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants; thousands of ethnic Russians remained stateless when forced to choose between passing Estonian language and citizenship tests or applying for Russian citizenship; one reason for demurring on Estonian citizenship was to retain the right of visa-free travel to Russia; stateless residents can vote in local elections but not general elections; stateless parents who have been lawful residents of Estonia for at least five years can apply for citizenship for their children before they turn 15
  Illicit drugs:
  growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy

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