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Compare Venezuela (2002) - Estonia (2003)

Compare Venezuela (2002) z Estonia (2003)

 Venezuela (2002)Estonia (2003)
 VenezuelaEstonia
Administrative divisions 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia


note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)


note: counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses
Age structure 0-14 years: 31.6% (male 3,955,132; female 3,710,159)


15-64 years: 63.6% (male 7,756,362; female 7,695,738)


65 years and over: 4.8% (male 533,559; female 636,720) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 113,239; female 108,876)


15-64 years: 68.8% (male 467,041; female 501,805)


65 years and over: 15.4% (male 71,512; female 146,083) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish
Airports 372 (2001) 38 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 127


over 3,047 m: 5


2,438 to 3,047 m: 11


1,524 to 2,437 m: 32


914 to 1,523 m: 61


under 914 m: 18 (2002)
total: 14


2,438 to 3,047 m: 9


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 246


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 97


under 914 m: 139 (2002)
total: 24


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 5


under 914 m: 6 (2002)
Area total: 912,050 sq km


land: 882,050 sq km


water: 30,000 sq km
total: 45,226 sq km


land: 43,211 sq km


water: 2,015 sq km


note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Area - comparative slightly more than twice the size of California slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
Background Venezuela was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically-elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: an embattled president who is losing his once solid support among Venezuelans, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. Estonia received invitations to join NATO and the EU in 2002.
Birth rate 20.22 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 9.24 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $21.5 billion


expenditures: $27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) (2000 est.)
revenues: $1.89 billion


expenditures: $1.89 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Capital Caracas Tallinn
Climate tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Coastline 2,800 km 3,794 km
Constitution 30 December 1999 adopted 28 June 1992
Country name conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela


conventional short form: Venezuela


local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela


local short form: Venezuela
conventional long form: Republic of Estonia


conventional short form: Estonia


local long form: Eesti Vabariik


local short form: Eesti


former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency bolivar (VEB) Estonian kroon (EEK)
Death rate 4.91 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 13.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $34.5 billion (2000) (2000) $3.3 billion (2001 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Charles S. SHAPIRO


embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080


mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037


telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411


FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. DeTHOMAS


embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [372] 668-8100


FAX: [372] 668-8134
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires Luis HERERRA Marcano


chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007


telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214


FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820


consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
chief of mission: Ambassador Juri LUIK


chancery: 1730 M Street NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101


FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo (river); maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela; several Caribbean states protest Venezuela's claim to Islas des Aves (Bird Islands), 565 km from Venezuelan mainland Russia continues to reject signing and ratifying the joint December 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia
Economic aid - recipient $35 million with more assistance likely as a result of flooding (1999) $108 million (2000)
Economy - overview The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Venezuelan officials estimate that GDP grew by 2.7% in 2001. A strong rebound in international oil prices fueled the recovery from the steep recession in 1999. Nevertheless, a weak nonoil sector and capital flight - and a temporary fall in oil prices - undercut the recovery. In early 2002, President CHAVEZ changed the exchange rate regime from a crawling peg to a free floating exchange rate, causing the bolivar to depreciate significantly. Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization, is steadily moving toward a modern market economy with increasing ties to the West, including the pegging of its currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecoms sectors. A major goal is accession to the EU, possibly by 2004. The economy is greatly influenced by developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading partners. The high current account deficit remains a concern.
Electricity - consumption 75.101 billion kWh (2000) 6.192 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 1.19 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 80.754 billion kWh (2000) 7.937 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 23%


hydro: 77%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 99.8%


hydro: 0.1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0.2% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m
Environment - current issues sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Estonian 65.3%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Belarusian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.6% (1998)
Exchange rates bolivares per US dollar - 761.225 (January 2002), 723.666 (2001), 679.960 (2000), 605.717 (1999), 547.556 (1998), 488.635 (1997) krooni per US dollar - 16.61 (2002), 17.56 (2001), 16.97 (2000), 14.68 (1999), 14.07 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - 60%
chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Juhan PARTS (since 10 April 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next to be held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament


election results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September 2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened following Parliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI's successor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 188 votes to Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 24 ballots were either left blank or invalid
Exports $29.5 billion f.o.b. (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001)
Exports - partners US 60%, Brazil 5.5%, Colombia 3.5%, Italy 3.5%, Spain 3.4% (2000) Finland 19.2%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 10.6%, Latvia 7.4%, Germany 7.2% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
GDP purchasing power parity - $146.2 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $15.52 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 5%


industry: 40%


services: 55% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 5.8%


industry: 28.6%


services: 65.6% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $6,100 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.7% (2001 est.) 6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 8 00 N, 66 00 W 59 00 N, 26 00 E
Geography - note on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 96,155 km


paved: 32,308 km


unpaved: 63,847 km (1997 est.)
total: 51,411 km


paved: 10,334 km (including 94 km of expressways)


unpaved: 41,077 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2%


highest 10%: 38% (1997) (1997)
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 29.8% (1998)
Illicit drugs small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking
Imports $18.4 billion f.o.b. (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001)
Imports - partners US 35.8%, Colombia 6.8%, Brazil 4.5%, Germany 3.9%, Italy 3.9% (2000) Russia 26.6%, Finland 18.9%, Germany 9.2%, Sweden 8.2% (2002)
Independence 5 July 1811 (from Spain) regained on 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 5% (2000 est.)
Industries petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile; information technology, telecommunications
Infant mortality rate 24.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 12.03 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 13.88 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 12.3% (2001) (2001) 3.7% (2002 est.)
International organization participation CAN, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 38 (2001)
Irrigated land 540 sq km (1998 est.) 40 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term) National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)
Labor force 9.9 million (1999) (1999) 608,600 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1997 est.) industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 4,993 km


border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
total: 633 km


border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km
Land use arable land: 2.99%


permanent crops: 0.96%


other: 96.05% (1998 est.)
arable land: 26.5%


permanent crops: 0.35%


other: 73.15% (1998 est.)
Languages Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other
Legal system based on organic laws as of July 1999; open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)


elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - pro-government 108 (MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other 7), opposition 57 (AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other 13)
unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party 25.4%, Res Publica 24.6%, Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%; seats by party - Center Party 28, Res Publica 28, Reform Party 19, Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, People's Party Moodukad 6
Life expectancy at birth total population: 73.56 years


male: 70.53 years


female: 76.81 years (2002 est.)
total population: 70.31 years


male: 64.36 years


female: 76.57 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 91.1%


male: 91.8%


female: 90.3% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Location Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Map references South America Europe
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 15 NM


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 716,361 GRT/1,267,095 DWT


ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 1, Greece 1, Italy 1, United Kingdom 1, United States 2 (2002 est.)
total: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 200,807 GRT/169,899 DWT


ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 5


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Liberia 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN) includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada - including marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional) Estonia Defense Forces (including Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force), Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Maritime Border Guard, Coast Guard


note: Border Guards and Ministry of Internal Affairs become part of the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime; the Coast Guard is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense in peacetime and the Estonian Navy in wartime
Military expenditures - dollar figure $934 million (FY99) $155 million (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.9% (FY99) 2% (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 6,647,718 (2002 est.) males age 15-49: 360,440 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 4,786,849 (2002 est.) males age 15-49: 283,278 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 246,185 (2002 est.) males: 11,123 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 20 August 1991 was the date of reindependence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Venezuelan(s)


adjective: Venezuelan
noun: Estonian(s)


adjective: Estonian
Natural hazards subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
Net migration rate -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 km gas 859 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Action or AD [Claudio FERMIN]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [Garcia PONCE]; Homeland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNIZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Antonio HERRERA]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Oswaldo ALVAREZ Paz]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer] Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Siim KALLAS]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [leader NA]; Moderates (Moodukad) [Ivari PADAR]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tunne KELAM, chairman]; Res Publica [Juhan PARTS]; Russian Baltic Party [Sergei IVANOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action) NA
Population 24,287,670 (July 2002 est.) 1,408,556 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 67% (1997 est.) NA% (2000)
Population growth rate 1.52% (2002 est.) -0.49% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn
Radio broadcast stations AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998) AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001)
Radios 10.75 million (1997) -
Railways total: 682 km


standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge


note: 248 km of the existing system are privately owned; passenger services are nonexistent; however, a National Railways Plan, intended to provide a significant railway system, has been initiated (2001)
total: 968 km


broad gauge: 968 km 1.520-m/1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified)


note:: gauge being increased from 1.520-m to 1.524-m to reduce wear on wheels and rail as lines are modernized (2002)
Religions nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish
Sex ratio at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female


total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: modern and expanding


domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services


international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network
general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; internet services are available throughout most of the country - only about 11,000 subscriber requests were unfilled by September 2000


domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and internet services is available throughout the country


international: fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001)
Telephones - main lines in use 2.6 million (however, 3,500,000 have been installed) (1998) 501,691 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2 million (1998) 711,000 (yearend 2001)
Television broadcast stations 66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997) 3 (2001)
Terrain Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Total fertility rate 2.41 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.27 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 14.1% (2001 est.) 12.4% (2001)
Waterways 7,100 km


note: Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels
320 km (perennially navigable) (2002)
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