Eesti referaat (7)

Tallinna Inglise Kolledž

Estonia
Topic

Alice Tärk, 9b

Tallinn 2007

FACTFILE

Area: 45 228 sq km
Poplulation: under 1.4 million
Capital: Tallinn
Language: Estonian
Currency : Eesti kroon (EEK)
Main religion: Lutheran
National holiday : 24 February
( anniversary of the republic )
National flower : Cornflower
National bird: Barn Swallow
National stone: Limestone

LOCATION

The Republic of Estonia is the northernmost and smallest of the three Baltic States . It is located on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea in the north - east of Europe . To the east the country borders Russia . Latvia is the countries neighbour to the south . From the west the coast of Estonia is washed by the Baltic Sea and from the north by the Gulf of Finland. The length of the coastline is approximately 3 800 km. The longest distance from east to west is 350 km, while north to south Estonia stretches 240 km.

THE NAME

The name EESTI was apparently derived from the word AISTI, the name given by ancient Germans to the peoples living north-east of the Vistula River . Tacitius, the Roman historian, was the first one to mention it (AESTI), while the Arab scholar al-Idrisi was the first one to mark it on a map (as ASTLANDA ). To the ancient Scandinavians the land was known as EISTLAND; to modern Scandinavians it is known as ESTLAND. Most contemporary languages use the Latin name ESTONIA.

FLAG

The Estonian blue - black -and-white national flag was originally the flag of the Estonian Student’s Society, consecrated in Otepää Church in 1884. today there is a memorial plaque on the church wall commemorating the event. The Flag Museum attracts tourists who take an interest in the history of the flag.
After about half a century , during which it was prohibited by the Soviet authorities, the flag was sen again in public for the first time in Tartu. Many elderly people were carrying the flags they had kept in secret hiding places durin the Soviet years ; tears were rolling down their cheeks. On 24 February 1989, Estonia, still part of the Soviet Union, hoisted its tricolour on the tower of Pikk Hermann in Tallinn. Since then the flag has always been hoisted with ceremony on that day, which is the national holiday – the anniversary of the Republic. According to Estonian tradition the national flag is hoisted at sunrise and lowered at sunset – exept on June 23 when it is left out for the shortest night of the year .

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The Estonian national anthem, entitled “My Native Land , My Pride and Joy”, was composed in 1848 by Friedrich Pacius, a Finn of German descent. The Estonian-language words were written by Johann Voldemar Jannsen . In 1869 it was performed at the first all-Estonian Song Festival in Tartu and gained popularity during the period of the national movement .
Estonians carried the melody in their hearts and souls during Soviet occupation, when it was banned. Another song “My Native Land, My Dearest Love” by Gustav Ernesaks , became an unofficial anthem at that time and enabled the people to express their feelings of national identity.

COAT OF ARMS

Lions were first used as Estonia’s heraldic emblem in the 13th century when they appeared on the large coat of arms of Tallinn. The originated from Denmark , which was ruling Northern Estonia at that time. A similar motif was later used on the coat if arms of the Province of Estonia under Swedish rule . Estonia changed hands but the three lions remained. In 1925 they were adobted officially. The present large coat of arms is a golden shield charged with a golden oak branch on each side. The small coat of arms is identical but without oak branches.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Estonia lies in a transitional zone, varying from maritime to continental climate. Though Estonia is a small country, the climate on the coast differs noticeably from that in the south-eastern part. The average in July, which is the warmest month, is about +17 degrees and the coldest month is usually February with –5 degrees as the average. The lowest temperature ever measured is –43,5 ºC and the highest recorded figure is +35,6 ºC. The prevailing winds blow from south-west and west. The windiest place is the isle of Osmussaar. Winds are stronger in autumn and winter . Estonia is located in a humid zone in which the amount of precipitation outnumbers total evaporation. There are about 160 to 180 rainy days a year. Snow cover usually lasts from middle December to late March . Luckily Estonia has no climatic extremes. Heavvy storms and extensive floods are rare .

LANDSCAPE

Estonia is mostly flat with average elevation of only about 50 meters above sea level. The relief of the present day lanscape was shaped suring the Ice Age. The hilly terrain was also shaped by the continental ice and melting waters . The land still rises 25 cm in every 100 years. Kalevipoeg, the national hero, is related to many features of the relief. The Baltic Glint is one of the world’s most important denudations of Ordovician sedimetary rocks. Half of Estonia is covered with forests and 30 % is covered with wetlands.
The areas which are higher and particularly rich in hills are the Haanja and Otepää Uplands in the south-eastern part of Estonia. In Haanja Upland there is the highest top of Estonia, Big Egg Hill (318 m), which is the highest top of the Baltic states.
There are over 1400 lakes in Estonia. Lake Peipsi, lying between Estonia and Russia, covers 3 555 sq km. It is the biggest in Estonia and the fourth biggest in Europe. The second largest lake is Lake Võrtsjärv (270 sq km), while the deepest id Rõuge Suurjärv (38 m). The longest rivers are the Võhandu (162 km) and Pärnu (144 km). The Emajõgi flows for 101 km and its drainage basin covers 9740 sq km.

NATURE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTED AREAS

In 2004 Estonia had 360 different protected areas, apart from 448 protected parks , and over 1200 natural monuments. The total area of protected land covers over 550 000 hectares (more than 10% of the Estonian territory). Protection is extended to diverse elements such as waterfalls , hills, karst areas, outcrops, caves, lakes, craters an so on.
Lahemaa National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Estonia. It covers 1119 square km. The park has reserves where any human activity is prohibited except for scientific purposes. It features various landscapes . Soomaa National Park offers real wilderness it covers 370 sq km of a vast lowland is central Estonia. The aim of the park is to protect Estonia’s bigger bogs, meadows and forests. The Viidumäe Nature reserve is a small area in Saaremaa rich in rare plants . Some of them are unique in the world like Saaremaa yellow rattlebox.

NORTH ESTONIA

It consists of 5 counties – Harjumaa , Raplamaa , Järvemaa, Lääne-Virumaa and Ida-Virumaa. The land is arable and the soil is fertile . On the northern coast is the Baltic Glint and Ontika is the highest point of it. Harjumaa is a densely populated region with large areas of summer cottages and gardens , children’s camps and picnic spots. Estonia’s biggest waterfalls are found there. In Harjumaa there is a little town Paldiski which was an important military port. The area surrounding Aegviidu boasts a scenic landscape: the “Estonian Switzerland” is the best -known skiing centre in North Estonia. Eastern Virumaa is an important industrial area which has many mines and ash hills. The county also has virgin forests, pre glacial valleys, beautiful lakes, bogs and attractive beaches. There is also Narva, the town on the border of Estonia and Russia, it is the easternmost and third largest town in Estonia. Kohtla Järve is an industrial toen inhabited by mostly Russian speaking people. Sillamäe was once closed to visitors because of the processing of rare metals and radioactive substances, it has now become an industrial centre and is considered one of the most pleasant towns in the county.
Western Virumaa has a beautiful rural landscape, its highest being the hill of Emumägi. The Baltic glint is lower there and lies further away from the coast. Forests cover more than 40% of the county. The soil is very fertile for crop growing but industry is also widely developed. Järvamaa is located in the centre of Estonia and boasts the best agricultural land in the country. Raplamaa is Estonia’s rural centre, with level fields on limestone bedrocks, bogs and karst areas.
Also the capital of Estonia – Tallinn is located in Harjumaa. Tallinn has had different names during the centuries – Kolyvan, Lyndanise, Reval and Revel. The town came to be called Tallinn from Taanilinn (Danish town) after Danish conquest. Over the course of time Taanilinn was shortened to Tallinn. Today Tallinn is the largest city in Estonia, with a population of about 400 000. most of its people are engaged in industry. Tallinn boasts a wonderful medieval Old Town. Tallinn is a mixture of the modern and the medieval, where tradition goes hand in hans with the most recent trends .

SOUTH ESTONIA

South Estonia is a land of rolling hills and hillocks, pre-glacial valleys, beautiful lakes and rivers, architectual monuments and sites of historical importance . It is a wonderful place for spending a holiday and enjoying nature. It consists 6 counties – Tartumaa, Jõgevamaa, Põlvamaa, Viljandimaa , Valgamaa and Võrumaa.
Tartumaa lies between Lake Peipsi and Lake Võrtsjärv and is divided by the Emajõgi. Jõgevamaa is covered with drumlings running north-west to south-east through the whole country. The soil is fertile and the drumlins are mainly used as agricultural land. The area has numerous lakes. Põlvamaa’s landscape is characterizedby winding roads, hills, small lakes and many rivers. The Ahja river is characterized by picturesque banks , including high sand cliffs , clean water and an abundance of fish . Taevaskoda , in the valley of the Ahja River is known for its rapids, springs and cliffs of Devonian sandstone. The Piusa sandstone caves cover an area of about 400 sq km.
Viljandimaa lies on the fertile Sakala Upland, which is surrounded by extensive woodlands and swamps. Valgamaa borders on Latvia. The county has many beautiful lakes, hills, forests and manors. The Small Mother River flows through the county in the shape of a horseshoe. Valgamaa is the place for hiking and skiing. Võrumaa is probably one of the most beautiful counties in Estonia. It is also most elevated region – featuring Bigg Egghill. It is rich in hills, lakes (170) and valleys.
The biggest city in South Estonia is Tartu, one of the oldest towns in the Baltic area. It is the second largest town in Estonia. It lies about 190 km south-east of Tallinn. It is the seat for Tartu University and is generally known as a university town. The centre lies between the two most important landmarks in Tartu: Toome hill and Emajõgi. Viljandi is a beautiful, quiet garden town submerged in greenery. Valga, Estonia’s southernmost town lives and works hand in hand with Latvian Valka – the border splits the town in two – belonging to different coutries. Otepää is the skiing and winter capital of Estonia, as the area has more snow than any other part of Estonia.

WEST ESTONIA

West Estonia is low lying and flat. The climate is maritime and greatly influenced by the Baltic Sea. The area features large bogs, extensive forests, coastal plains and a number of off-shore islands – Saaremaa and Hiiumaa being the largest. The coastal towns, Pärnu and Haapsalu, are Estonia’s main seaside resorts. West Estonia includes the counties of Pärnumaa, Läänemaa, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.
Pärnumaa means sun, sea and holidays . It is rich in sandy beaches, forests, bogs and merches. Pärnu is the summer capital of Estonia. Its beach , seaside parks, sanatoriums and rest homes are its characteristic features. The western part of Estonia is flat and low with meadows, forests and swamps. It is the gateway to the Islands (Läänemaa). Haapsalu is a small quiet town on the sea, famous for its curative sea mud.
Saaremaa is the largest island of Estonia. And is characterized by flat juniper fields, rare plants, windmills, thatches roofs, stone fences and the hospitality of the local people. The county has over 500 small islets. Kuressaare is a quiet green town, with clean air and a friendly , unpolluted environment. Lake Kaali is actually one of the best preserved meteorite craters in Europe, formed 3500 years ago.’
Hiiumaa is the second largest island in Estonia and is bigger than Monaco and Andorra . The sea around Hiiumaa is shallow and features about 200 small islets and partly exposed reefs. Its landscape features pine and mixed forests, swampy thickets and juniper shrubs , coastal meadows and dunes, peat moors and bogs. Kärdla is a green town full of gardens, parks, springs and artesian wells .

GOVERNMENT

The Estonian Parliament is a unicameral legislative body consisting of 101 members . The Parliament sits in Toompea Castle. Members of the Parliament, presided over by the Speaker, are elected for 4-year term. The Governemt wields executive power . It issues orders and regulations, submits bills to the Parliament for passage into law and foreign treaties for ratification, drafts the state budget for submission to the Parliament and effects it after adoption. There are 12 ministries but there may be up to 15 ministers. The President nominates a candidate for the post of Prime Minister. The present Prime Minister Andrus Ansip . Judicial power is vested in a 3-tier court system, the highest body of which being the Supreme Court, presided over the Chief Justice.
The Chancellor of Justice examines all the new laws , regulations and other legal acts to ensure their compliance with the Constitution and existing laws. The present Chancellor of Justice is Allar Jõks. The President of the Republic is the Head of State and Supreme Commander of National Defence forces. He represents the state, appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the republic, appoints and dismisses members of the government, nominates candidates for the posts of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Chairman of the board of the Bank of Estonia, Auditor General, Chancellor of Justice and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces all to be approved by the Parliament. The present President of Estonia is Toomas Hendrik Ilves ( Lynx ).

THE ESTONIAN KROON, BANKING AND TAXES

The Estonian kroon was introduced in June 1992. The kroon’s exchange rate has not changed since 20 June 1992. The Estonian kroon is tied to Euro (1 EUR=15,6466 EEK). Estonia has a currency board system. The responsible monetary authority is the Bank of Estonia.
Banking has been an area of rapid growth since the regaining of independence. One of the leading banks is Hansapank . Only the Bank of Estonia has the right to the emission of money . The foundations fot the Estonian financial system were laid in 1992. the aim of banks is not only keeping money, but also giving loans. They are directly interested in the good work and profit of enterprises.
The Estonian Tax System is made up of the following :
Social Tax: 33% paid on gross income from employment . 20% of the money goes into the Social Security Fund which finances state pensions and social welfare. This tax is not detucted from wages /salaries, but paid by the employer .
Personal Income Tax: 22% paid on earned income (except for tax free minimum) by all people, it is called proportional income tax and is equal for people with different income.
Value Added Tax: 18%, one of the government’s main sources of income, paid by people when they buy any goods . It is not noticiable because prices already include it.
Excise Duties: imposed on alcohol , tobacco, petrol etc. to limit the use of these goods.

POPULATION

The earliest traces of human habitation date from prehistoric times. In the 13th century the population numbered between 100 000 and 200 000, but this figure changed as a result of wars , epidemics and migrations. In the mid-1800s many Estonians emigrated in the hope of finding good farmland and better living conditions . The census of 2000 showed that 47 different nationalities live in Estonia: 67,9% Estonians, 25,6% are Russian and also Ukrainians, Belarussians, Finns and Tatars. Estonian citizenship does not depend on ethnicity. It was automatically given to the people who had held it before 1940. at the beginning of 2003, the estimated population was 1 356 045, of which 54% were women .