Estonians (Estonian: eestlased, previously maarahvas) are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia.

Estonia was one of the republics of the Soviet Union and was formally annexed as the Estonian SSR in August 1940.

Estonia was first settled in 2,000 B.C. The name of Estonia occurs first in a form of Aestii in the first century A.D. by Tacitus.

Work – Estonia may have had rocket-like growth in recent years, but only from a very low base as a former Soviet republic. An average local monthly salary (4th quarter 2007) is around 800 EUR.

Area: 45,227 km²

Coastline: 3,794 km

Land Borders: 343 km with Latvia and 338.6 km with the Russian Federation

Distance from Tallinn to Helsinki: 85 km; to Riga: 307 km; to St.Petersburg: 395 km; to Stockholm: 405 km

Type: Parliamentary Democracy

Head of State: President Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Head of Government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSI

Administrative regions: 15 counties

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Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by more than nine million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the coast and on the Åland islands. It is to a considerable extent mutually intelligible with Norwegian and to a lesser extent with Danish. Along with the other North Germanic languages, Swedish is a descendant of Old Norse, the common language of the Germanic peoples living in Scandinavia during the Viking Era.

Many people imagine Stockholm when speaking about Sweden but it is not the only place to go. All the nature, ice hotels, cities, boats and typical Swedish colour make Sweden the most thrilling experience out of all the northern countries of EU.

For further information look at www.visitsweden.com

Swedish society is a great example of tolerance and openness.

This nation is one of the more reserved within the EU. When you want to develop a conversation with a Swede, he or she will always first listen to you and then give you his or her opinion. Swedes do not interrupt each other while speaking which makes the business conversation very clear and well-organised.

Over 80% of Swedes belong to the Lutheran Church of Sweden, but seldom go to church. Attendance is a bit higher among members of free churches such as Pentecostalists and the Salvation Army. Christenings, weddings and funerals are usually made in church, although civil weddings are generally accepted - especially for subsequent marriages. Around half of Swedes are confirmed, usually at the age of fifteen.