| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | EEISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | ESTISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | TallinnGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | EuropeGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | EstoniaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Republic of EstoniaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | EestiCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | derives from the name of the people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D., which came from the Baltic word aueist, meaning "waterside dwellers"CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Parliamentary republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note: 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union and restored its statehoodCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Alar KARIS (Pres.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | EURISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | EuroISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 15ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Harjumaa / Hiiumaa / Ida-Virumaa / Järvamaa / Jõgevamaa / Lääne-Virumaa / Läänemaa / Pärnumaa / Põlvamaa / Raplamaa / Saaremaa / Tartumaa / Valgamaa / Viljandimaa / VõrumaaISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | barn swallow, cornflowerCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy); lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS; history: adopted 1920, but banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; unofficially in use since 1869, it has the same melody as Finland's anthem, but with different lyricsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | blue, black, whiteCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: no; citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia; dual citizenship recognized: no; residency requirement for naturalization: 5 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
derives from the name of the people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D., which came from the Baltic word aueist , meaning "waterside dwellers"
description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white meaning: blue stands for faith, loyalty, and devotion, and also the sky, sea, and lakes; black for the country's soil and the Estonian people's past suffering; white for striving for enlightenment and virtue and also for birch bark, snow, and summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
