The Republic of Estonia

General infoEstonia, offically the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe.

The territory of Estonia covers 45,227 km².

The population is about 1,3 million people.

The capital of Estonia is Tallinn, which is also the largest city in Estonia.

Estonia is divided into 15 counties.

The official language is Estonian, it is a Finno-ugric language and closely related to Finnish.

“Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm”“My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_IHqUOMrs

Estonian flag- blue symbolizing the blue sky above the native land, black symbolizing the attachment to our black soil and white, hard work and purity.

Estonia is a democratic parliamentary republic.

Estonian president is Toomas Hendrik Ilves, his term as a president began in 2006.

The prime minister of Estonia is Andrus Ansip.

Estonia has been a member of the United Nations since 1991, of the European Union since 2004 and of NATO since

2004.

The Estonian song festival It is one of the most unique celebrations in Estonia and is also a part of UNESCO World heritage!

The first all-Estonian Song Festival took place in Tartu in 1869 and since then the Song Festivals have become a national tradition, being held every 4-5 years, when choirs from all over the country come to sing together.

This year the all Estonian song festival was visited by a record number or people- about 100 000 singers and spectactors at one concert .

Dance Festival

Estonia is also known for its dance festival, which takes place at the same time as the song festival.

Nowadays there are also held dance festivals for men only and for younger dancers.

Folk-dance groups gather from all over Estonia and dance together, 7000 of them, to show their communion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X64nkCVmK1M

Sport Estonia first competed as a nation

at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Estonia has won most of its Olympic medals in weightlifting, wrestling and cross-country skiing.

In 2008 summer games estonia won one gold medal (Kanter- discus) and one silver medal (rowing two-boat).

In the last winter olympics Estonia won three gold medals (skiing- Kristiina šmigun and Andrus Veerpalu). In 1980 the sailing regatta of Moscow Olympics was held in Estonia.

This year European Figure Skating Championshipos also took place in Estonia.

Every year one FIS world cup stage takes also place in Estonia, Otepää.

MusicEstonia has some artists and composers who bring fame to our country.

For example, worldfamous Kerli Kõiv and a band named Bedwetters. Bedwetters had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on the MTV music awards when they won the category of New Sound of Europe.

A famous Estonian is also Arvo Pärt, whose pieces are listened and recognized all over the world.

Estonia has competed in Eurovison cong contest since 1994. In May 2001, Dave Benton and Tanel Padar gave a very strong performance and won, bringing Estonia the right to host the 2002 Eurovision song contest.

Did you know that...?

Skype was designed by Estonian developers, and millions of internet users in Estonia use it to make free calls over the internet.

Estonia has the highest number of meteorite craters per land area in the world.

The lowest temperature measured in Estonia is -43,5 celsius and the highest is +35,6 degrees celsius. This winter has also been really cold and snowy. The lowest temperature mesured this winter is -32,1 degrees, in Jõgeva.

Tallinn was chosen to be the Culture Capital of Europe during the year 2011.

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention!attention!

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