Estonia has had close ties with the Nordic countries since regaining independence in 1991, but having acceded to the EU in May 2004 links with the rest of Europe have strengthened.

The people are warm and welcoming, public and commercial services are efficient.

Outside the main towns the country has uncrowded roads running between fields and forest, with brightly painted wooden houses here and there, wood smoke rising languidly from their chimneys

Nature lovers will find a wide array of flora and fauna among the trees, bogs and grassland, observation towers have been built for birdwatchers in many locations.

Facts and Figures About Estonia.

Official name: Republic of Estonia

Area; 45,227 sq km.

Population: 1,445,600.

Capital: Tallinn (411,600 inhabitants)

Language: The official language is Estonian, which is closely related to Finnish, which is widely understood and spoken, together with English, Russian and German.

Religion: 80% of Christians are Lutheran; most of the remainder belong to the Orthodox Church.

Government: Parliamentary democracy.

Head of State: The President, who is elected for a 5 year term.

National Legislature: Riigikogu, 101 members elected for a 4 year term.

Currency: The national currency of Estonia is the EEK, or Kroon (crown) which is pegged to the Euro in the ratio 15.65:1. Estonia was the first country in the former rouble zone to establish a national currency and a stable economy with it.

Climate: The Estonian climate is characterised by warm summers and fairly severe winters, with average temperatures ranging from minus 8 degrees Celsius to 21C. July is the warmest month, with February the coldest. Within the average temperatures quoted temperatures below minus 20C or over 30C can occur.

Technology: Estonia has embraced technology with enthusiasm, the use of mobile phones and the Internet are widespread, wireless Internet exists in many places and it is planned to cover the whole of the country by 2008, the first country in the world to do so.

Some Reasons to Invest In Estonia

The legal system ensures clear ownership of property. All property details are recorded on the land registry database which is available online.

Mortgages with interest rates from about 4% are good value. Estonian banks lend Estonian nationals up to 95% of the lender's valuation, and non-nationals up to around 65% provided the payments do not exceed 40% of their take-home pay. This ensures that property remains affordable for the local population and is an excellent sign for prospective investors as it maintains a strong local market.

Foreign tourism in Estonia increased by 30% in 2005, making it Europe 's fastest growing tourist destination. Even now there is a shortage of hotel accommodation in the peak season, it can be impossible to find a hotel room and this provides opportunities for investors wishing to enter the rental market.

Low-cost flights are readily available, easyjet fly direct to Tallinn from Stansted and Estonian Air flights from Gatwick are now priced more keenly. Parnu is convenient for Riga , just over the border in Latvia , which is served by Ryanair. In 2005, for the first time passenger numbers at Tallinn exceeded 1 million.

Economic conditions are stable and key economic indicators are positive. GDP growth is 6% per annum; inflation is 3.7% while wages have yet to reach the EU average. As wages increase property prices will follow. The imminent introduction of the Euro is likely to increase prices as has happened in other EU countries. In the meantime, costs are relatively low, a beer is a little over ?1 and 20 cigarettes can be bought for about 75p.

PARNU, THE SUMMER CAPITAL OF ESTONIA

Cavitron is based in Parnu, our office is located on the northern outskirts of the town. Parnu is known as the Summer Capital of Estonia and represents the best of the country's history as well as looking forward to a bright future. Janet Street-Porter recently gave an enthusiastic critique of the town in her review of Estonia published in ?The Independent?.

It is to Parnu that the residents of Tallinn escape for summer weekends or holidays, it has a number of well-kept parks amid a mix of modern and traditional architecture, and has deservedly been nominated as a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2011.

In the winter the river freezes over and the locals set out onto the ice to fish through holes drilled in the ice, others race up and down on Ski-Doos, or take part in organised races on motorcycles or quad bikes when the ice is thick enough.

In spring the restaurants and bars put their tables outside for the season as the trees burst into leaf.

In summer-time the miles of white sand on the Blue Flag beach are crowded with sun-worshippers on the sands or sipping cold beer under parasols.

As autumn approaches the leaves turn golden, and after the first frosts in early October the café ´ables are taken indoors and householders make sure they have sufficient logs stacked up for the winter.

TALLINN

  Tallinn is called the ``Pearl of Mediaeval Europe``; it is also a large port and the capital of Estonia. In the 13^th century, Tallinn was a part of the powerful Hanseatic League. Mediaeval prosperity presented this romantic city with a wealth of picturesque views and sights. Tallinn is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

  The city was founded in the 12^th century and has been under the rule of Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Russia afterwards. All of these powerful countries recorded themselves in the city’s architecture. Tallinn is one of the most well-preserved mediaeval cities in Europe; its atmosphere is special owing to closeness to the sea, the ancient City Wall, broaches and houses with red tile roofs.

  Numerous small shops selling national art, handicraft, attires, leather works, souvenirs, and antique are always of interest.

  Furthermore, Tallinn is one of the most important economic centres in the Baltic Sea region.

  Today, Estonia is an independent country with it own culture and traditions, and Tallinn continues to be one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic States. It is also the centre of a quickly developing economic region. Within 10 years, Tallinn has become a developed city with high-rise buildings of glass and steel, representatives of the largest international corporations, neon signs, huge shopping centres, modern airport, quickly growing passenger port and numerous industrial production facilities. The medieval capital has become an ultramodern city with rich cultural life, without losing its integrity and charm in the process.