Date of independence, or formation date: 1991
Date when current borders were established: 1991
National day: Feb 24
Vehicle country identifying code: EST
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +2
International telephone dialling code: +372
Internet country identifying code: .ee

Traditionally the most Western-oriented of the Baltic states, Estonia is bordered by Latvia and the Russian Federation. Its terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded, and includes more than 1500 islands. Estonia formally regained its independence as a multiparty democracy in 1991. In contrast to the peoples of Latvia and Lithuania, Estonians are Finno-Ugric, speaking a language related to Finnish.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004