Estonia

Official name: Estonian Republic Political system: Parliamentary Republic Geographical location: in the North-West of Eastern Europe Area: 45,2 thousand sq. km Population: 1,4 million people (1998), Estonian - 65%, Russian - 30% Capital: Tallinn - 435 thousand people (1995) Major cities: Tartu - 113 thousand people, Narva - 81 thousand people (1996) Main languages: Estonian (official), Russian Religions: Lutherans, Orthodox Climate: transitional from sea to continental Average temperature: -6C in February; +17C in July Monetary unit: Estonian kroon Local time: standart time - GMT+2; summer time - GMT+3 National holidays: February, 24th - the Independence Day (1918) Major tourist sights: Pyarnu sea resort, University Ensemble (17-19 centuries) in Tartu; in Tallinn: Old Town (14-15 centuries), Dome Cathedral (13 century), Kadriorg Palace (18 century), Peter the Great Cottage Museum, Rocco el Mare Ethnographic Museum