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Estonia in 10 points
| 1. |
Capital: |
Tallin |
| 2. |
Population: |
1.36 million |
| 3. |
Ethnic profile: |
Estonians (67.9%), Russians (25.6%), Ukrainians (2.1%), Belorussians (1.2%), Finns (0.9%), others (2.3%) |
| 4. |
Borders: |
Latvia, Russia |
| 5. |
Main language: |
Estonian, Russian |
| 6. |
Currency: |
Kroon |
| 7. |
Local delicacy: |
Blood sausages and pancakes (especially during Christmas). Smoked fish and black bread. For the brave the strong Vana Tallinn liqueur - neat or mixed with either Champagne or ice and milk |
| 8. |
Country profile: |
Estonia lies along the Baltic Sea, just south of Finland and has a climate of icy, snowy winters and long light summers. Its population is about half that of Wales. Tallinn, Estonia's capital city, is about 80 km or 50 miles south of Helsinki, across the Gulf of Finland. Sweden is Estonia's western neighbour across the Baltic. Russia lies to the east, Latvia to the south.
The country is mostly flat, with many lakes and islands although in the south there are rolling hills and skiing is possible in towns like Otepää. In the east of Estonia, lake Peipus, the 4th largest lake in Europe, forms a natural frontier with Russia. On the western coast, the islands and islets have been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and are a mecca for Estonians and tourists alike during the summer. Throughout the centuries an integral part of Estonian life has been the sauna. Saunas in Estonia are a national institution. One theory is that the sauna evolved as a sun substitute, giving Estonians the psychological benefits of intense heat during the long, dark months of the year.
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| 9. |
Culture: |
The composer Arvo Pärt is Estonian. The people of Estonia participated in the Baltic Sea freedom song, which will be performed at Cultural Explosion events by Canolfan Gerdd Williams Mathias Music Centre. |
| 10. |
Do you know that: |
Estonia is the leading country for internet connections per capita in the EU. The Government has lead the way to E-Estonia, changing its cabinet meetings to paperless sessions using a web-based system. Election laws will include an e-voting option from 2005. |
Interesting links
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Wales |
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Wales lies on the mid-west coast of the United Kingdom. The geology of Wales has shaped the country's history with its mountainous terrain providing a natural fort against...
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