Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure
two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the
Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus
members of local councils) elects the president, choosing between
the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last
held on 23 September 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2011);
prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament
election results: Toomas Hendrik ILVES elected president on 23
September 2006 by a 345-member electoral assembly; ILVES received
174 votes to incumbent Arnold RUUTEL's 162; remaining 9 ballots left
blank or invalid
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 4 March 2007 (next to be held in March 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party
27.8%, Center Party of Estonia 26.1%, Union of Pro Patria and Res
Publica 17.9%, Social Democratic Party 10.6%, Estonian Greens 7.1%,
Estonian People's Union 7.1%, other 5%; seats by party - Estonian
Reform Party 31, Center Party 28, Union of Pro Patria and Res
Publica 19, Social Democratic Party 10, Estonian Greens 6, Estonian
People's Union 6, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian
Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union
(Rahvaliit) [Juhan AARE]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond)
[Andrus ANSIP]; Social Democratic Party [Sven MIKSER]; Union of Pro
Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA
(cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE,
PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU,
WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vaino REINART
chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael C. POLT
embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [372] 668-8100
FAX: [372] 668-8265
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white;
various interpretations are linked to the flag colors; blue
represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, while also reminiscent of
the sky, sea, and lakes of the country; black symbolizes the soil of
the country and the dark past and suffering endured by the Estonian
people; white refers to the striving towards enlightenment and
virtue, and is the color of birch bark and snow, as well as summer
nights illuminated by the midnight sun
National anthem:
name: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)
lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS
note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet
occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same
melody with that of Finland but has different lyrics
Economy ::Estonia
Economy - overview:
Estonia, a 2004 European Union entrant, has a modern market-based
economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central
Europe and the Baltic region. Estonia's successive governments have
pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda and have wavered
little in their commitment to pro-market reforms. The current
government has pursued relatively sound fiscal policies that have
resulted in balanced budgets and very low public debt. The economy
benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and
strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Tallinn's
priority has been to sustain high growth rates - on average 8% per
year from 2003 to 2007. Estonia's economy slowed down markedly and
fell sharply into recession in mid-2008, primarily as a result of an
investment and consumption slump following the bursting of the real
estate market bubble. GDP dropped nearly 15% in 2009, among the
world's highest rates of contraction. A modest recovery began in
2010, but unemployment stands above 13%. Estonia adopted the euro in
January 2011.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$24.53 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$24.07 billion (2009 est.)
$27.96 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$19.22 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
-13.9% (2009 est.)
-5.1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$19,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$18,500 (2009 est.)
$21,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.5%
industry: 28.7%
services: 68.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
688,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.8%
industry: 22.7%
services: 74.5% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
13.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
13.8% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
19.5% (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.7% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91
37 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Public debt:
7.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
7.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
-0.1% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.39% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
8.55% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$5.345 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 85
$5.822 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$10.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$11.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$18.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$20.32 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.654 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 94
$1.95 billion (31 December 2008)
$6.037 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Industries:
engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles;
information technology, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate:
10% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Electricity - production:
11.46 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Electricity - consumption:
7.686 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - exports:
2.31 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.369 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
7,600 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Oil - consumption:
30,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Oil - exports:
7,280 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Oil - imports:
30,590 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - consumption:
1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - imports:
1.51 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Current account balance:
$265 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$898.7 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$10.77 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
$9.08 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food
products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products
Exports - partners:
Finland 18.57%, Sweden 12.52%, Latvia 9.51%, Russia 9.33%, Germany
6.09%, Lithuania 4.76%, US 4.26% (2009)
Imports:
$11.52 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$9.783 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 35%, textiles 19%, mineral fuels 19%,
chemical products 9%, foodstuffs 6%
Imports - partners:
Finland 14.52%, Lithuania 10.84%, Latvia 10.47%, Germany 10.33%,
Russia 8.59%, Sweden 8.34%, Poland 5.63% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.641 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
$3.981 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$25.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$25.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$17.53 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
$16.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$7.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$6.534 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
kroon (EEK) per US dollar - 12.11 (2010), 11.232 (2009), 10.7
(2008), 11.535 (2007), 12.473 (2006)
note: Estonia adopted the euro on 1 January 2011
Communications ::Estonia
Telephones - main lines in use:
492,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 98
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.72 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
Telephone system:
general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business
ventures greatly improved telephone service with a wide range of
high quality voice, data, and Internet services available
domestic: substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV,
and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely
available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a
large percentage of the population files income-tax returns online,
and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local
elections
international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland,
Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched
service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2008)
Broadcast media:
the publicly-owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR),
operates 2 television channels; national private TV channels
expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking
viewers; high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than
half of Estonian households connected; publicly-owned broadcaster,
ERR, operates 4 radio networks and there are a growing number of
private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally,
regionally, and locally (2008)
Internet country code:
.ee
Internet hosts:
729,534 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 48
Internet users:
971,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102
Transportation ::Estonia
Airports:
19 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 136
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 859 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,196 km
country comparison to the world: 86
broad gauge: 1,196 km 1.520 m/1.524-m gauge (131 km electrified)
(2008)
Roadways:
total: 58,034 km
country comparison to the world: 78
paved: 34,936 km (includes 104 km of expressways)
unpaved: 23,098 km (2009)
Waterways:
520 km (320 km are navigable year round) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 84
Merchant marine:
total: 24
country comparison to the world: 94
by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 17, petroleum
tanker 2
foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Norway 2)
registered in other countries: 77 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Belize 1,
Cambodia 1, Cyprus 7, Dominica 6, Finland 2, Latvia 4, Malta 16,
former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, Sierra Leone 1, Sweden 3,
Venezuela 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn
Military ::Estonia
Military branches:
Estonian Defense Forces: Land Force, Navy, Air Force (Eesti
Ohuvagi), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit, KL) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
obligation for compulsory service ages 16-60, with conscription
"likely" ages 18-27; service requirement 8-11 months (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 297,096
females age 16-49: 308,229 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 213,740
females age 16-49: 255,926 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,945
female: 6,564 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Transnational Issues ::Estonia
Disputes - international:
Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement
with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending
prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and
territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of
Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups
continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920
Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu
people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member
state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must
implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Illicit drugs:
growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important
transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic
drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord;
potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug
trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector
to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Ethiopia (Africa)
Introduction ::Ethiopia
Background:
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy
maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a
short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military
junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since
1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups,
uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the
regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces,
the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A
constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty
elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the
1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. In November 2007,
the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission remotely demarcated the
border by geographical coordinates, but final demarcation of the
boundary on the ground is currently on hold because of Ethiopian
objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to
surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia.
Geography ::Ethiopia
Location:
Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,104,300 sq km
country comparison to the world: 27
land: 1 million sq km
water: 104,300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,328 km
border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km,
Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Terrain:
high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Danakil Depression -125 m
highest point: Ras Dejen 4,533 m
Natural resources:
small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas,
hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.01%
permanent crops: 0.65%
other: 89.34% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,900 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
110 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 5.56 cu km/yr (6%/0%/94%)
per capita: 72 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
volcanism: Ethiopia experiences volcanic activity in the Great Rift
Valley; Erta Ale (elev. 613 m, 2,011 ft), which has caused frequent
lava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano;
Dabbahu became active in 2005, causing evacuations; other
historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol,
Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water
shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor
management
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de
jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the
chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk
(Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to
have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean
People ::Ethiopia
Population:
88,013,491
country comparison to the world: 14
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower
life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.1% (male 19,596,784/female 19,688,887)
15-64 years: 51.2% (male 21,376,495/female 22,304,812)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 975,923/female 1,294,437) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 16.8 years
male: 16.5 years
female: 17.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.202% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Birth rate:
43.34 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Death rate:
11.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Net migration rate:
-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 119
note: repatriation of Ethiopian refugees residing in Sudan is
expected to continue for several years; some Sudanese, Somali, and
Eritrean refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting or famine
in their own countries, continue to return to their homes (2010 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 17% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 78.99 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 16
male: 90.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 67.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.8 years
country comparison to the world: 196
male: 53.28 years
female: 58.39 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.07 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
980,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
67,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Ethiopian(s)
adjective: Ethiopian
Ethnic groups:
Oromo 34.5%, Amara 26.9%, Somalie 6.2%, Tigraway 6.1%, Sidama 4%,
Guragie 2.5%, Welaita 2.3%, Hadiya 1.7%, Affar 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%,
Gedeo 1.3%, other 11.3% (2007 Census)
Religions:
Orthodox 43.5%, Muslim 33.9%, Protestant 18.6%, traditional 2.6%,
Catholic 0.7%, other 0.7% (2007 Census)
Languages:
Amarigna (Amharic) (official) 32.7%, Oromigna (official regional)
31.6%, Tigrigna (official regional) 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna
3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English
(official) (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic
(official) (1994 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42.7%
male: 50.3%
female: 35.1% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 9 years
female: 8 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.5% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 44
Government ::Ethiopia
Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form: Ethiopia
local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
local short form: Ityop'iya
former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa
abbreviation: FDRE
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Addis Ababa
geographic coordinates: 9 02 N, 38 42 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
9 ethnically based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2
self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular -
astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara),
Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples),
Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali),
Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations,
Nationalities and Peoples)
Independence:
oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the
world - at least 2,000 years (may be traced to the Aksumite Kingdom,
which coalesced in the first centuries B.C.)
National holiday:
National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)
Constitution:
ratified 8 December 1994, effective 22 August 1995
Legal system:
based on civil law; currently transitional mix of national and
regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995)
cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994
constitution; ministers selected by the prime minister and approved
by the House of People's Representatives
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by the House of People's
Representatives for a six-year term (eligible for a second term);
election last held on 9 October 2007 (next to be held in October
2013); prime minister designated by the party in power following
legislative elections
election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of
vote by the House of People's Representatives - 79%
Legislative branch: