Estonia is a country of unspoiled lakes, quaint fishing villages and primeval forests. After a 600-year struggle for independence, Estonia managed to join the European Union in 1997 as an associate member; it now covets membership in NATO.
Estonia is coolly temperate: weather in summers is warm, but winters it can be quite cold with long nights. All seasons have rainfall, but the heaviest rain falls in August; snowfall during the winter can be heavy.
The official language is Estonian, a Uralic language very similar to Finnish. Russian is also widely understood, but not always appreciated; other languages that can be heard are Finnish and English. Most Estonians are Lutheran. Other religions represented are Russian Orthodox and various Protestant sects.
Estonia's capital city of 420,000 (almost one-third of the country's population) is Tallinn. Tallinn's Old Town has survived more-or-less intact from the 14th century, but the rest of the city has been ruthlessly modernized. Tallinn is accessible by air from many European capitals, and most cities are connected by rail to the rest of Europe via Riga; there are also connections through Russia. Ferries arrive from Stockholm and Helsinki. Internal rail travel is underdeveloped; buses are the best bet for efficient intercity travel. Main highways are few, but there are many good secondary roads. Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road.
Although violent crime directed at foreigners is rare, travelers are specifically targeted by petty criminals in Estonia. Travelers are at risk for petty crimes such as the theft of unattended belongings, purse snatching and pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas. The phone system is reliable; pay phones have been modernized to use prepaid cards. English-language media is readily available in Tallinn and other cities. ATMs can be readily found in most cities and towns, and credit cards are widely accepted in many shops, hotels and restaurants.
Estonian cuisine includes specialties based on veal, goose and herring. In general, if one takes the usual precautions, the food is safe, wholesome and tasty. Some hotel and restaurant prices may approach expensive, Western norms in deregulated, privately-run establishments -- especially in Tallinn. But for the most part, Estonia is relatively inexpensive for those exchanging Western currencies.
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Intelligence Officers at iJET are currently monitoring local conditions in Estonia to provide a level of information that surpasses any available from other public sources, including the U.S. State Department. Free from political constraints or concerns, our data provides unfiltered information vital for every traveler.
Travelers to Estonia or those considering travel to Estonia are advised to purchase an Intelligence Brief for the most timely and concise information available on specific areas with the country and the country as a whole.
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