Historical and natural attractions - not the only reason for the growing popularity of Estonia with tourists. The country is located between the western and eastern Europe, and is easily accessible from the south, offering fresh opportunities for those who are ready to enjoy the impressions of the Nordic countries. The spirit of freedom and rebirth pervades not only the capital of Estonia, but also a lively university town of Tartu, business and industrial center of the capital city of Narva and idyllic summer vacation in the south-west coast - Pärnu.
Geography
The country is located in north-west Europe. On the north by the Gulf of Finland, in the West - Gulf of Riga Baltic Sea. Includes more than 1,500 islands, the largest of which - Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Narva River empties into the Gulf of Finland, the river Pärnu - the Gulf of Riga. The total area of about 45.2 thousand square meters. km.
Climate
Off the coast - a moderate sea, away from the sea is moderate continental. The average temperature in January is -7 C in July 17 S.
Capital
Tallinn
Population
Population (estimated for 1998) is about 1,421,300 people in the major cities: Tallinn (502,000 people), Tartu (114,239 people), Narva (87,000 people). In Estonia, home to over 100 different nationalities. The largest ethnic group (as a percentage of the total population): Estonians - 67.9%, Russian - 25.6%, Ukrainians - 2.1%, Belarusians - 1.3%, Finns - 0.9%, Tatars - 0.2%, Latvians - 0.2%, Poles - 0.16%, Jews - 0.16%.
Language
National - Estonian. Common: Russian, Finnish.
Currency
Estonian Kroon (EEK), which is equal to 100 cents (or cents), is tied to the German mark (1 EEK = eighth DEM)
Time zone
Coincides with Kiev in the summer is behind by 1:00.
Religion
Most of the faithful - Lutherans and Orthodox Christians.
Political Structure
Since 1991 - Republic of Estonia. The head of state - the president is elected for five years, Member of Parliament (or by an electoral college consisting of members of parliament and delegates from all Local Government Council, the inability of Parliament to reach a compromise.) The president serves a modest role in the political arena of Estonia, as his powers are limited. The government headed by Prime Minister, who is the leader of the winning party in the parliament, or the leader of the parliamentary coalition. The Cabinet approved by the President to submit a candidate for Prime Minister, with the approval of Parliament. Legislature - State Assembly (Riigikogu). Since 2004, Estonia belongs to the EU.
Customs regulations
To enter the country must have a passport, which has at least two free pages (must be valid for three months after the expiry of the visa), two profiles with photos, invitation (travel, private or official) and a visa. A trip with the children on the invitation of the service is difficult. For private and tourist invitation is issued only single entry on the service can be issued for a specified period multivisas. Tax collected, the value of which depends on the time of registration and the type of visa from 15 to 75 USD. Persons under 18 years of visas are issued free of charge. At the entrance to the long term needs to liability insurance policy of at least U.S. $ 12,000.
Tourist having when crossing the border currency of more than 80 000 kroons shall declare it in full on the customs declaration. If the number of imported currency exceeds 200 000 kroons, is required as proof of the origin of the currency. A check issued by the currency exchange is not such a document.
Passenger, who arrived in Estonia are allowed to import duty-free within one calendar day of the first crossing of the border, except for personal items, the following items within the following rules:
- Industrial goods - worth up to 5000 (with the exception of motor vehicles);
- In addition to the fuel contained in the standard tank of the vehicle and the engine oil, the passenger is allowed to import 10 liters and 5 liters of oil per one motor vehicle;
- Groceries - weighing up to 10 kg, and the total weight of coffee, tea, flavor spices, seeds etc. should not exceed 3 kg.
- Transportation of alcoholic beverages and beer is allowed to persons 18 years of age: 1 liter beverage strength greater than 22% (to 58%), 2 liter beverage strength to 22% and 2 liters. beer.
- Persons 18 years of age are allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. When importing more alcoholic beverages and tobacco products should be fine and the confiscation of the goods.
If a passenger brings into one calendar day for their personal use products in excess of the free entry, it should fill in the declaration and payment of a passenger import payments.
Link
To call abroad, dial 00, when calling within the country - 0. In order to call a street pay phone, have to buy a phone card magnetic Eesti Phone. Value card 50 or 100 euros and can be purchased at newsstands. From street payphones can call in any city in Estonia, were abroad on a mobile phone. To call abroad from Estonia, it is necessary to dial 00 + country code + area code + phone number.
Police telephone number - 110, fire and ambulance - 112.
Electricity
Electrical supply - 220V, frequency - 50 Hz. Plugs and sockets used the European model.
Shops
Interest to tourists are especially numerous shops with items of folk art, crafts, jewelry, leather goods, souvenirs and antiques. These stores are located primarily in the inner city and are open, usually from 9 to 18 hours. In large cities, department stores and supermarkets are open until 20:00. Many shops are open on Sundays. Recently there were the shops, working around the clock.
Transport
Public transport in Tallinn is open from 5:00 am to midnight. Common travel vouchers valid on buses, trolleybuses and trams served by municipal transport companies. Going into public transport, it is necessary to punch tickets. They can be bought from the driver or motorman, the kiosks near the stops, in shops and newspaper stalls. In buses private line coupons are not valid. The driver sells tickets.
Tip
In restaurants, hotels and taxi tips are included in cost of services. But you may encourage staff for good service in addition.
Weekends and holidays
January 1 - New Year
February 24 - Independence Day
May 1 - Spring Festival
23 - Day of Victory in the battle Vynnuskom 1919
20 August - Day of Restoration of Independence
December 25 - Christmas Day
During the year, Estonia has plenty of festivals. The main and most striking of these are the July Baltic Folk Festival, held in Tallinn, and Vseestonsky Song Festival.
Very interesting holiday "Grillfest", which is celebrated in the longest night of the year in St. John's Day. At this time in the streets dancing, singing songs and lead dances around the fire, and the villagers are looking for a mystical fern flower, which, according to popular belief, that blooms only at night and brings good luck to those who find it.
Also, every year in mid-summer in the ancient cities of the Middle Ages the Days. These days the streets of cities arranged festive procession of artisans and merchants, dressed in medieval clothes. During all the time working on the areas of medieval markets, open craft shops and workshops.
In addition, the Estnoii can get to the jazz festival "Tudengidzhaz" in February, Estonian Film Week in March, Estonian Music Days in April, the Baltic Jazz Festival in April, the festival "Slavic Wreath" in June, a beer festival in Estonia "Olesummer" in early July, the International Organ Festival in August, the International Street Theatre Festival from August to September, the "Days of the Finno-Ugric peoples" at the end of October, the festival of children's and youth theaters "Banaanikala" in October and November, the International Film Festival "Black Nights "in November and December.
Main Attractions
In Estonia many monuments XII-XVI centuries. Traditional folk art Estonia famous knits, woven decorative household items, metal and wooden ornaments. Very popular song festivals, which take place in Tallinn, they have contributed to the development of choral singing. In Estonia, the popular variety of sports, especially game, athletics and rowing.
Estonia is situated in the zone of mixed forests. Forests cover 38% of the territory, 65% of them are coniferous (spruce, pine). The largest tracts of meadows in the north-west of the country and on the islands. Marshes occupy about 20% of the territory.
For wildlife typical fauna boreal and broadleaf forests: elk, deer, wild boar, hare, wolf, fox, of birds - grouse, capercaillie, black grouse, partridge, etc. The coast live migratory birds off - commercial fish species. There is a national park, nature reserve 4 and 30 sanctuaries.
In Tartu, nine museums, including the city's history, university history, literature, Museum O. Luts, in Rev - House Museum FR Kreutzwald; Kohtla-Jarve - Slate Museum. From an architectural take note: in Tallinn - medieval buildings in the Gothic and Baroque XIV-XVI centuries. Town Hall spire XVII., Town Hall Pharmacy; Svyatoduhovskaya church with a bell in the XV. and carved interiors, buildings Olayskoy guild XIII c., Blackheads XIV-XVII centuries. Oleviste Church (St. Olaya) in 1267 with a tower height of 120 m, Great Coastal Gate, two towers in the Viru Gate XV.; medieval city mill and homes in the XV. - All in the lower town. Medieval lower town is a historical and architectural monument.
The only entrance to the Toompea was the oldest street in Tallinn - Pikk jalg (1454), preserved gate tower Pikk jalg (1380) and Lühike jalg XV century. In the castle of Toompea (Small Fortress) retaining walls and three corner towers: "Long Hermann" medieval dungeon, "Pilshtiker" and remains "Landskrona". In the XVII century. were built in Vauban Swedish bastions: Linda Hill (Swedish bastion), slide Rannavyarava (Skåne bastion) and Harjumägi (Ingersky bastion), which covered the turret "Kiek in de Kok" in height approx. 49 m (1475), the most powerful in the Baltic States (now a museum). Center Big Fortress - Dome Church XIII-XVIII centuries. with a wooden altar in the XVII. Interesting ruins of the monastery in Pirita ancient site I millennium BC - Er, Kadriorg Park in Tartu - Ensemble university buildings early. XIX c., Castles and cathedrals XIII-XV centuries. - In Tartu, Narva, Kuressaare on the island. Saaremaa, Viljandi.
In Kohtla-Jarve Museum is slate and a branch of the State Art Museum of Estonia.
City Kuressaareizvesten as mud and climatic resort. Attraction of the city is the castle of the Order. Other architectural monuments: the baroque town hall, the classic Church. Nicholas.
In Narva preserved castle fortifications (14th cent.), The town hall. Pärnu - seaside climatic and mud resort. A theater, museum.
