The popularity of this breathtakingly beautiful country stems from many different points: firstly the country is an economic success story. Having escaped the domination of Soviet rule back in 1991 it has since established strong trade links with Finland, Sweden and Germany and now has a GDP growth rate of around 6% annually. Secondly the government of Estonia is committed to the promotion of foreign direct investment and to this end it offers some impressive tax breaks to companies who establish themselves in Estonia.

Income tax is a flat 26% in Estonia making it one of the most competitive of all European nations and therefore more appealing for multinational companies seeking a base in Europe and more appealing for local and foreign employees. And finally, Estonia has a rugged and natural beauty and its natural landscape and friendly people are drawing more and more visitors to the country annually and so the tourism market in Estonia is growing quickly.

Property investors have been targeting the capital city of Tallinn where the majority of international companies investing in Estonia are establishing bases and where there is an increasing demand for quality residential and commercial property to rent, buy or lease.

Those who bought just three years ago in the most desirable districts have realized real profits in the region of 30%. These rates may not be sustainable over the longer term but prices and rental rates are set to keep on climbing because the demand for property outstrips supply and will likely continue to do so for quite some time.

A lot of the residential real estate in Estonia’s cities is old Soviet style apartment block units and these properties are not at all popular. More and more developers are constructing new and modern accommodation that property investors are snapping up and renting out to tenants or selling on to first time buyers or other property investors upon completion. Those who wish to buy these types of property pre-construction benefit from the fact they buy at today’s prices but take possession in 12 – 18 months when the real value of the property has risen quite substantially.

Unlike in many other countries around the world, those who buy off-plan in Estonia usually only have to find between 10 and 20% of the property’s price during the build period because the majority is payable upon completion – this makes it easier for a property buyer to save to afford a property or to flip upon completion and resell to realize the profits with which to pay the developer.

The investment property potential in Estonia is exceptional and anyone looking to diversify their real estate portfolio should consider this Eastern European country’s property market.

Rhiannon Williamson writes about property investment in emerging countries around the world. To read more about investment property in Estonia click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhiannon_Williamson

The passengers tend to be middle-aged and older, with a sprinkling of canes, walkers and wheelchairs. The crew does very well catering to the needs of this older bunch so it’s a pleasant experience.

Don’t expect the bars to be brimming with drinkers or much action in the late-night disco. Every night on our beds there were white towels shaped and folded into clever animals configurations by the cabin attendants, a nice endearing touch. The food aboard ship is quite good but not the greatest I’ve had on other ships.

The singers and dancers in the shows are quite good, but don’t look for spectacular entertainment with stunning technical effects. This ship doesn’t have all the glitzy stage features and contraptions that newer ships have.

No tendering was necessary at any stops on the entire trip. Our nine land tours cost each of us $1041.

Cruising is one of few activities in life in which people voluntarily accept and pay for regimentation, living by the clock, being told when to tour, when to eat, when to be entertained and see shows. It’s back to school, summer camp or under military discipline. Cruise passengers seem programmed to have a good time, like the ritual of the parade of baked Alaska on the last night of a cruise. The passengers dutifully take pictures, wear crazy hats, stand and cheer, wave handkerchiefs. In other words, “You will have a good time!” “Yes, and we’ll love it.” Perhaps they are a special breed, these cruisers.

Aboard ship were passengers who were nasty flu commandoes. They gave you a dirty look if you coughed or sneezed. They looked as if they wanted to send you to an extermination camp.

After our first day at sea, we docked on a Sunday in Tallinn, Estonia. The first thing the bus guide said was, “We overdeliver here as you’ll see on this tour of our city. We tend to surprise people because they come expecting very little, and they find a beautiful country waiting to be discovered.”

True enough, but you can’t really see very much in a four hour familiarization tour. I would say St. Petersburg and Stockholm were the cities that overdelivered in terms of sightseeing on our cruise.

On the tour of Estonia we heard a great deal about the grim years of Soviet occupation and domination as well as Russia’s recent efforts to intimidate and cow the tiny country on its border. For 750 of its 800 year history, it was a conquered country.

When the vacuum of power developed in the Soviet Union in 1991, Estonia declared its independence so it’s had only eighteen years of recent freedom. In 1918 Estonia gained its independence from Russia, but was occupied in 1940 by the Soviet Union. From 1941 to 1944 the Germans held the country until it was taken over again by the Soviets.

During those difficult times, ‘41 to ‘44, some Estonians fought on the German side to rid the country of the Russians. Others fought on the Russian side to get rid of the Nazis. Some families were fractured by differing loyalties. When the Soviets won in 1944, many Estonians were deported to Siberia. The Russians said they had liberated Estonia, so Estonians said, “Now you can leave,” and instead the Soviets occupied the country, remaining for forty-seven years of oppression.

One of our first stops on a bus tour of Tallinn was the place where the song festivals were held during the old Soviet days. The music was an outbreak of freedom, a way for the Estonians to express their desire for liberty and their sense of national identity without the Soviets clamping down on them. The music festivals attracted up to 300,000 people. You can’t shoot at people just because they are singing.

One time two million people held hands and formed a human chain running through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as a way of showing solidarity in their quest for independence from Soviet domination.

The guide said that some people think Estonia is 1.3 million people pretending to be a country. There is still a large Russian-speaking ethnic minority of 300,000. In the suburbs we were shown the old grim, gray Soviet housing blocks where many still live. In the Soviet era the state owned the factories, but since the country had no significant raw materials, all raw materials had to be shipped in, and the Russians were just using Estonian labor and providing sub-standard housing. Buildings with Soviet facades were okay on the outside but dumpy within we were told.

Everywhere on our Baltic cruise guides talked of the devastating effects of the worldwide bank collapse and recession. In Estonia there has been a fifteen per cent contraction in the economy. Estonia is a member of the EU, the European Union.

We saw some colorful little sheds (shops) along the waterfront, lots of trams, beautiful lush forests and open green spaces. The cemeteries are under the forest canopies.
Some houses were old 19th century wooden structures with ornate gingerbread features.

Workers are given real estate vouchers which they collect and use to purchase apartments or houses. With privatization 88% of the people own their own dwellings. Sometimes in order to get things done, the guide pointed out, you have to grease somebody’s paw.

Our guide pointed out the ruins of an old cloister which in the past held both nuns and monks. Little uninvited monks and nuns would be born there occasionally.

The guide said that the tighter and more repressive a totalitarian regime is, the better the anecdotes are. Through humor you can criticize the regime without putting a noose around your neck. One favorite anecdote: Brezhnev, never the brightest of Russian leaders, was due to speak at the opening of the 1980 Olympics. His speechwriter handed him his speech, and Brezhnev began, “O-o-o-o-o.” The writer interrupted him saying, “Sir, you don’t have to read the Olympic logo.”

Ferries run back and forth from Finland to Estonia. They are called “vodka missions.” The Finns come over to pick up vodka, beer and ciggies which are much cheaper in Estonia. There are close connections between the two people, and the “vodka tourists” benefit both countries.

Outside a church we were told a probably apocryphal story. A dissolute Casanova who had died in his late twenties after taking advantage of hundreds of women repented and begged to be buried in the church at the entranceway. The minister finally relented and agreed. The unrepentant Casanova told his friend he wanted to be buried there so he could look up the women’s dresses as they entered the church.

In every stop on the trip cruisers enjoyed walks through the older, medieval-looking sections of towns and cities with their narrow cobblestone streets, the buildings that seemed to tilt and the general feel of walking back in time. For the tourists, the older something is, the more attractive and charming. They were not disappointed in Tallinn. We were brought to the older section on the heights with its old cathedral and a view of the tidy town below with the orange-tiled roofs. Tallinn proved to be, as the guide predicted, a pleasant surprise.

John (Jack) Rooney’s latest novel is “Last Passage to Santiago,” a suspenseful travel-thriller that has romance, infidelity, and a kidnapping. His first book was the thriller “Nine Lives Too Many” featuring his series detective Denny Delaney pitted against the arch-terrorist Felix the Cat. That was followed by a chill-packed sequel “Clawed Back from the Dead.” Rooney’s book about India, “The Daemon in Our Dreams” was a blend of the naturalistic and the paranormal. In “The Rice Queen Spy” he presented the life story of a British secret operative who was “outed” and later went on to live an openly gay life while thumbing his nose at the bureaucracy that had betrayed him. The author’s work schedule includes a new Delaney effort.

He was born and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts (Classical High and American International College), went on to receive a master’s degree in English from Columbia University, and finished course work for his Ph.D. at N.Y.U. He has written book reviews, and feature and travel articles for newspapers and magazines. He served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman in Times Square and Vienna, Austria, and in civies in U.S. Army AWOL apprehension.

His website is http://www.senneffhouse.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_F._Rooney

Going down the cobbled winding roads of Tallinn one can witness the Lower town and Tompea Hill which was the aristocratic part of the town of Tallinn.

There are many other sights in the town of Tallinn that travelers frequent. The Tallinn Zoo, Rocca al Mare Tivoli which is the biggest amusement park in Tallinn and the botanical garden in Tallinn are a few of them. The zoo houses a whopping 6,000 animals while the botanical gardens have 8,000 different varieties of flora which come from different parts of the world. There are also temporary exhibits which keep changing over time.

The Kadriorg palace and the Russian Orthodox cathedral by Alexander Nevsky are also traveler’s favorite hotspots in Tallinn. The palace was the summer home of Russian Czar, peter I. it is a pink baroque palace that stands today in the middle of a resort on the seaside. This resort also houses the Estonia art museum which is also the venue for many of the town’s theatrical performances, concerts, receptions and lectures.

The Open Air Museum of Estonia which is in Kopli is a must visit for the traveler too. This museum has preserved ancient buildings of historical importance that have been entirely moved from various parts of Estonia. Haapsalu which is on the west coast of Estonia is a secluded quiet town. You can stay in one of the guest lodges and explore the ancient ruins from the 13th century among other things such as a Gothic cathedral and a castle that supposedly is haunted by a female ghost who only shows herself on full moon nights. The beaches in this town are quiet and calm without the din of the crowds so typical of famous beaches.

On the Estonian southern coast is parnu which saw its first settlement way back in 7500 BC. Walking through the old town, travelers find many interesting sights such as a 17th century mansion, Swedish ramparts and The Red Tower. The Neoclassical Bath house in this town offers great packages for skin rejuvenation through traditional mud baths.

So you just saw that the real Estonia is not just found in the town of Tallinn and that Tallinn is just one of the pieces of the beautiful puzzle that is Estonia. Estonia can be visited any time of the year with summer being the favorite but travelers who would like to witness the Christmas market in Tallinn’s old town should travel to Estonia in December.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anirudh_S_B

Estonia is a beautiful country situated in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. The country is surrounded by Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Russian Federation. The country has a temperate climate with mild winters and summers. It is popular with tourists due to the constant nature of its temperature. The country is situated on the shores of Baltic Sea resulting in the climate being generally humid most of the time. However, the climate in coastal areas and inland regions is slightly different with sudden variations in temperature and climate.

Many holiday makers relax on the beautiful clean beaches and stay in a holiday villa with swimming pool. While there they can visit many of the interesting cities that this wonderful country possesses. Popular cities to visit in Estonia are Tallinn, Parnu, Kohtla- Jarve, Narva and Tartu. Many tourists stay in these cities in one of the many self catering holiday apartments and holiday accommodation.

Some tourists go for a peaceful and relaxing holiday in Estonia. Haapsalu is regarded as a laid back place popular for its slow way of life and beautiful buildings and views. This is a small yet beautiful town situated on the western coast of Estonia. This beautiful little town is full of romantic tree lined streets and beautiful holiday cottages and apartments. The age old narrow streets in the town often lead down to the seaside.

The area is also known as the Nordic Venice, due to the combination of the natural beauty and sea shore. Many tourists visit the famous wooden house where Peter I of Russia stayed in. The town is also popular for the Haapsalu Castle. This enchanting Nordic castle is located in the centre of the town and it was build as the residence of the Bishop.

Lovers of the great outdoors can visit the three national parks in Estonia. It is possible to rent holiday cottages near to these parks. When staying there holiday makers experience the beauty of untouched forests and swamps in these national parks. The best of these parks are Lahemaa, Soomaa and Vilsandi.

The national parks are dotted with historic manors and old styled villages. The Lahemaa national park is located 50 kms east of the capital city Tallinn. This forest occupies thick forests, peninsulas and spectacular bays; Another famous national is Vilsandi.

The little diva of Estonia, Haapsalu comprises of the famous Estonian railway museum. It is actually a train station that was built in 1907. Now, it is not used and converted into train museum. The building of the railway station is a magnificent gem of the Estonia country.

Tallinn is yet another beautiful city in Estonia. The capital city of the country holds a great collection of old buildings. Families come on vacation to Estonia and stay in one of the many holiday homes that are available to rent. Holiday villas with swimming pools are popular as are self catering apartments and holiday cottages.

Andrew Gibson is MD of Compareaway. It is one of the fastest growing online travel websites for booking holiday homes. To see an example of why Compareaway is growing so rapidly have a look at Holiday Villas.

Compareaway also has a great selection of Holiday Cottages and self catering holiday apartments that can be rented as holiday homes all over the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gibson

For someone who enjoys skating or ice fishing, Estonia in the winter can be a great place to visit. Its winters can get very cold, but thanks to the North Atlantic Gulf Stream the summers remain quite mild. The best time to visit Estonia is during the months of May through to September, July usually being the warmest month of the year.

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and is well suited to all travellers needs. Tallinn is situated on the north coast of Estonia along the Gulf of Finland. It the largest city in Estonia and is an important industrial, political and cultural centre. It is also an extremely busy seaport with regular ferries to the Scandinavian countries.

Estonian Air is the national carrier and offers special weekend packages for tourists. The main international airport of Estonia is about four kilometres from Tallinn centre, with a local bus connection between the airport and the edge of the city centre.

Tourism accounts for fifteen percent of Estonia’s GDP – mainly due to people visiting Tallinn.

For anyone interested in shopping in Tallinn, the local currency is the Estonian Kroon. The main shopping centre is located in the Kristiine district – here you can shop ’til you drop at very affordable prices. The centre also boasts a large number of cafes and restaurants. Good bargains can also be got in the department stores in the city centre.

Travelling around Tallinn is easy with a great bus, tram and rail service. The city operates a wide-ranging bus system to all districts of Tallinn. Fares are reasonably priced and tickets are easily purchased through street-side kiosks.

For anyone interested in visiting the main attractions of Tallinn a single card can be bought from the local tourist office which allows entry to most attractions – this card also allows free public transport around the city. The card is called the Tallinn Card.

The main attractions are in the old part of the city, which should be explored on foot. Local walking tours offer a great understanding of the citys culture and architecture. Two kilometres east of the city centre is the former palace of Peter the Great, which now houses the National Art Museum of Estonia and is also the presidential residence.

There is a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars in the city of Tallinn as well as dynamic nightclubs, which attract parties from all over Europe.

The Estonian speciality is smoked fish, particularly trout. Veal is also a very common dish in Estonia, it is normally served roasted and is well accompanied with the local beer: Saare beer. Restaurant bills usually include a tip, but extra tips should be added when the service is special.

Tallinn is a beautiful medieval city that offers terrific value. It has all the modern comforts of Western Europe at Eastern Europe prices.

TJ Tierney is an award winning photographer and a freelance writer. To find out more information on Estonia visit his travel guide or his travel directory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Tierney

Lahemaa National Park – Considered one of the most popular natural attractions in Estonia, the Lahemaa National Park is the country’s largest national park, covering an area of more than 70,000 hectares. Aside from hiking, the park also offers opportunities for cycling, skiing and camping, so tourists can actively explore its amazing diversity of plant and wildlife while admiring the scenic views.

Vilsandi National Park – Although not as big as the Lahemaa, the Vilsandi National Park is still one of the top Estonia attractions, particularly since it is one of the oldest nature reserves in Europe. It is also a sanctuary for thousands of species of migratory birds, making it a true paradise for bird-watchers.

Matsalu National Park – Like the Vilsandi, the Matsalu National Park is also a bird-watcher’s paradise. This is because the park is home to almost 300 species of birds, including ducks, pigeons, finches and owls. You can also find hundreds of vascular plants here such as yarrow, meadowsweet and cuckooflower.

Soomaa National Park – Although the youngest national park in Estonia, the area of the Soomaa National Park is second only to the Lahemaa, which numbers it among the popular Estonia attractions. It is especially popular for its mires and dunes which tourists can explore by riding a canoe or hiking along one of the nature trails.

Jagala Falls – Nicknamed the ‘Niagara Falls of the Baltics’, this waterfall is 7.8 metres high – the highest in Estonia. It is beautiful both in the summers when it reflects the sunlight and in the winters when it gets iced up.

Parnu Beach – If you’ve come to Estonia to enjoy the sun and sand, then a trip to Parnu Beach is a must. Parnu Beach is the best among the beaches of Estonia, offering a stretch of golden sand, clear waters and several bars where you can eat and have fun at the end of the day. The town of Parnu is an attraction in itself, with 17th century houses and magnificent churches.

There are other Estonia attractions, too, such as the Tallinn Zoo, the Tallinn Botanical Garden, the Kuressaare Castle in Saaremaa and the Estonian Open Air Museum. Still, its natural attractions are the best Estonia has to offer and are therefore, must-see places for anyone spending holidays in Estonia.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including Estonia. To book your cheap car rental Estonia or learn more about car rental worldwide, visit http://www.zencarhire.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isabella_Olsen

All these factors have contributed to Estonia being ranked 28th in the IMD’s “World Competitiveness Yearbook” of 2004 and 6th place in the Heritage Foundation’s “Index of Economic Freedom” of 2004. The rankings are a further affirmation of Estonia’s positive economic development, which stands in contrast to many European states, which are now experiencing economic slowdowns.

The ‘interest war’ of early 2004, helped fast track thousands of Estonians onto the property ladder and the trend has continued. While interest rates are set to stabilise, the number of property transactions every year in Estonia is growing by on average 16 %. The current interest rates are 60% lower than they were three years ago, so it’s not surprising that home loans are at an all time high. Banks are offering mortgages for as little as 3%.

The consequences? Estonia is not cheap, well not that cheap. Demand by Estonians for property has pushed prices far beyond the average that one would expect to pay in other Central and Eastern European countries. On the other hand, it is packed with charm and the character of Tallinn’s ‘old town’ is something many are prepared to pay for. Prices in Estonia rose on average by 10% last year and there is nothing to suggest that the trend won’t continue this year and for several years to come.

The most expensive housing is situated in the old town and city centre areas. You might expect to pay between EUR1800 and EUR2400 per sq metre in the more exclusive streets of Tallinn’s old town. However, the average price level in Tallinn is around EUR900 – EUR1200 per sq m. In Tallinn’s suburban areas, prices can be as low as EUR550 per sq. metre for older apartments. You shouldn’t expect to pay much more than EUR700 per sq. metre. For newer apartments in the suburbs prices range from EUR900 to EUR1600 per sq. metre. Over the past five years prices in Tallinn have increased by more than 100%. Most new builds sell off the plans and are sold complete with interior decoration.

Estonia does not place restrictions on foreign citizens and foreign companies purchasing apartments, houses or buildings. Foreign companies and individuals also have the first option of buying the land under the buildings they have acquired. However, when buying large areas of forest and agricultural land, Estonian policy requires that a company must be registered in Commercial Register and must have been active in areas of forestry or manufacturing of agricultural products for at least past three years.

Buying property in Estonia is a relatively straightforward and safe procedure. The wheels of the bureaucratic machine move fairly efficiently, meaning that title can be transferred in as little as four weeks. Foreigners were known to have paid higher prices in the early 1990s, but the market has matured. Foreigners are now developing many of the new properties in Estonia. This combined with the closing gap between foreign and local salaries means that far fewer people, foreign or local, are being taken advantage of. Most agents meet certain standards within real estate protocol and foreigners getting fleeced is no longer something to be overly concerned about.

Estonia’s future is definitely bright and the roar of the ‘Baltic Tiger’ may well echo the roar of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ that saw property prices in Ireland increase by 187% between 1997 and 2004, the highest increase in Europe.

Tracey Meagher runs many property newsdesks, including Property Newsdesk Central and Eastern Europe and Property Newsdesk Estonia To learn more about investing in Property in Estonia visit TallinnProperty

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracey_Meagher

The gay traveler will also be very happy to find out that post-soviet countries experience much lower tax brackets and thus traveling within Estonia is extremely affordable. You will find your times in Estonia to be much less expensive than almost anywhere else in Europe. Whether you are shopping along the quaint streets of Estonia, dining on authentic Estonian fare, or partying hard in Estonia gay bars, you will definitely save a lot of money.

When you are in Estonia, be sure to experience authentic Estonian cuisine such as their blood sausage. The cuisine in Estonia is very similar to German and Scandinavian cuisine, and you will definitely want to try out the national dish of verivorst and mulgikapsad which is blood sausage served with something that resembles sauerkraut stew. The food here is very rich, and you will enjoy unique delights such as sour fat milk in salad dressings, and the famous potato salad in Estonia. After you have enjoyed some authentic Estonia cuisine, you can dance off your dinner in any of the many Estonia bars.

When you are enjoying yourself in Estonia bars, you will definitely want to check out the local drinks that are country wide favourites. The local beer is known as Saku and Estonians also love their Viru Valge which is a favoured white vodka.

No matter how you choose to spend your time in Estonia, be sure to use our online directory for a complete listing of Estonia bars.

Nathaly Dedeyan is co-owner of Estonia Gay Bars a free online directory of bars and clubs in Estonia. Visitors to Estonia Gay are able to browse and rate or review bars and clubs in the Estonia area and club owners are able to submit their clubs and bars, news, photos and upcoming events for free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathaly_Dedeyan

Estonia has a lot to offer all visitors to the area. It’s a great way to learn first hand about the Estonia region and all that it has to offer! Talllinn, the ancient Hanseatic city and the capital of Estonia, offers historical and architectural monuments. Parnu, which is known as a seaport and a health resort, offers its theater and its 3km long sandy beach. Tartu offers its very old university and other sights like the Vyshgorod Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the university’s Botanical Garden. Narva, which is one of the oldest towns in Estonia, offers some great old architectural monuments and museums. Other nice places to visit are Haapsalu, Saaremaa, and Mustvee.

Nature lovers can explore the countryside because nearly half of Estonia is covered with forests. Dozen of national parks and protected areas give visitors the opportunity to observe special flora and fauna. Explore Estonia’s wildlife such as lynx, bears, wolves and elk. There are also many wetland birds, eagles, storks and butterflies in parts of Estonia. Trainspotters can go trainspotting. You can even spend the night in a luxury sleeping car. Furthermore, swimming is also very popular all around the country. There are many beaches with white sand, pools, and lakes as well. Likewise, fishing is very popular and boating is widely practiced. Other activities you would be busy doing in Estonia are hiking, cycling, horse riding, canoeing, golf, basketball, skiing, and football.

You will always find a tour to suit your needs in Estonia whether you are looking for a self-guided Estonia tour or want to join a guided tour of Estonia. There are many available websites to find some of the best guided and self-guided Estonia tours as well as vacation rentals available today. Consider staying in one of the Estonia vacation rentals for your next Estonia holiday. Estonia rentals consist of vacation homes, condos, villas, and apartments that will match your search criteria. Estonia vacation rentals can be sorted by price, bedrooms, type of unit and whether the unit is pet friendly or not.

We have wide selection of Estonia Vacation Rentals that offer more amenities and space than hotels. Check out the vacation rentals in Estonia to inquire and book directly with the owner.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milan_Matchev

Situation

Tallinn is situated in Northern Europe in the northeastern part of the Baltic Sea region. Its unique position between the high-tech Nordic countries and Russia, which her huge natural resources as well as an enormous market, has made the city an attractive place for investors from all over the world. Foreign investments into Estonia amounted to 189.7 billion kroons as of June 2004, making Estonia the most successful country in Eastern Europe in this respect.

Distances from some European cities (by plane):

o Helsinki 82km

o Riga 280km

o St Petersburg 315km

o Stockholm 380km

o Copenhagen and Moscow 860km

o Berlin 1030km.

Tallinn Top Culture Events

The top summer event in Tallinn is the Old Town Days in the first week of June; in December the Black Nights Film Festival brings the best of the year’s European films to Tallinn, and there are a lot of other annual cultural events like Jazzkaar, Orient, NYYD, and more.

Economic Life

About half of the GDP of Estonia is produced in Tallinn (and its Suburbs) and more than half of the foreign-owned companies reside here. The economy is boosted by close relations with Finland and Sweden and a liberal economy that is favorable to foreign investments. Rapid development of the communications infrastructure has created a situation where mobile technologies and the Internet are used more widely than in some larger and wealthier EU countries (e.g. Internet banking is used by more than 10% of the population, active users of the Internet are more than 50% of the whole population, every second Estonian has a mobile phone etc,
e-government and e-tax system are working etc). The projected economic growth for this year is 5.9% The GNP per capita Estonia in 2004 was 40% of the EU average (39% in Lithuania, 34% in Latvia).

Inhabitants

Tallinn has about 400,000 inhabitants, half of whom are Estonians 40% Russians and 10% other nationalities. You probably didn’t know that there are over 120 nationalities living in Estonia. The major ethnic groups are Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Finns, Tatars, Latvians, Poles, Jews, Lithuanians, Germans and Armenians. Basically every third inhabitant of Estonia speaks some other language.

Short History

o 10th century: ancient Estonians have already established the central trading point on the coast of the Gulf of Finland.

o 1219: Northern Estonia is conquered by the Danes. led by King Waldemar 2nd, who later establishes a stone castle at Toompea -multinational town grows around it.

o 1248: Tallinn acquires town rights.

o 1219-1346: the Danish period. A network of streets is formed inside the town wall, with a guild house, churches and convents, warehouses and defense buildings.

o 1347-1561: the Livonian Order acts as the sovereign; the building of the Old Town with its principal stone buildings is completed.

o 1561-1710: the Swedish period Tallinn’s trading success has faded because of long lasting wars.

o 1710: Tallinn capitulates to the Russian Army (Great Northern War).

o 1857: An important evolution in the town’s development was caused by the loss of stronghold status and the building of a railway connection to St Petersburg. Rapid industrial development begins, resulting in the swift growth of the town.

o February 24. 1918: the Estonian Salvation Committee declares the independent democratic Republic of Estonia. The new government immediately has to organize a defense against the attacking Russian bolshevist troops and the Estonian War of Independence begins. It ends in 1920.

o 1920: Tallinn becomes the capital of the independent Republic of Estonia.

o June, 1940: Soviet troops occupy Estonia, abolishing its independence and establishing Soviet order.

o 1st August 20, 1991: the Supreme Soviet of Estonia declares re-establishment of the independence of Estonia based on legal continuity.

o August 29. 1994: the last troops of Russian army are withdrawn from Estonia. The Second World War has come to an end for Estonia.

o May 1. 2004: Estonia joins the European Union.

Tallinn is a hospitable city, we welcome you to stay in one of our Tallinn apartments in the city center where modern interiors and security blend with old town charm. Emjoy the best of Tallinn for less than the cost of an hotel!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Johnson