Where to Go - Europe (exc UK)

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Estonia

Population : 1,431,471

Literacy rate : 100%

Life expectancy at birth : male –63.4 yrs, female –75.79 yrs

Infant mortality rate : 12.92 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate : -0.59%

GDP growth rate : -0.5%

GDP per capita : £3,700

Unemployment : 11.7%

Inflation : 3.7%

TI index: 5.7

Climate : maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Time :GMT + 2.

Electricity :220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.

Websites :

The Estonian Government homepage is at http://www.ciesin.ee/ESTCG/

The Foreign Ministry site is well presented with current info on visas and other useful information, and is at http://www.vm.ee/eng

Since gaining independence in 1991, the country has made rapid progress in spite of hiccups in 1993 and 1999. Estonia was one of the countries that was instrumental in the fall of the Soviet Union; a reform movement in the Baltic states led to a popular uprising and then one thing led to another. There are problems with the heavy pollution from the shale oil burning power plants in the northeast. The language is of the Finno-Ugric group, which includes Finnish and Hungarian – it’s difficult for foreigners to learn, hence a high usage of English. On the subject of language – if you can speak Russian; don’t. Estonians are trying hard to establish their national identity and have offered free Estonian courses to nationals who either no longer speak or never learnt their own language. The use of Russian may cause offence.

The country is interesting geographically; forest covers 36% of the land and there are 1,512 lakes. Tallinn is the capital and chief port. A historic and interesting city. Monuments include the Citadel (begun in the 13 th century), the former governor’s Palace (1767-73) and the Toomkirk (cathedral), 13 th to 15 th centuries.

Entry Requirements

As is now in the EU things are simple.

Vaccinations

Nothing special. As always, check with your doctor.

Tax and Insurance

No information available on tax. Get health insurance.

Gap Year Programmes

Click here to find gap year programmes and placements in Estonia