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Administrative divisions 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
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	59 26 N, 24 43 E
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Constitution	adopted 28 June 1992
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Corruption	6.4		[27th of 160]
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address use embassy street address
Source: Transparency International
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Executive branch > Chief of state President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Flag description pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Government type	parliamentary republic
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Independence 20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Judicial branch National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Legal system based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political parties and leaders Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]; Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Marek STRANDBERG]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [Yevgeniy TOMBERG]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR]; Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) [Mart LAAR]
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political pressure groups and leaders Nochnoy Dozor/Night Watch anti-fascist movement (leader Alexander KOROBOV)
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Status democracy
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens
Source: electionworld.org
Time required to start a business > days	35 days		[83rd of 171]
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Trademarks, residents	1,241		[36th of 98]
Source: World Development Indicators database
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International Russia recalled its signature to the 1996 technical border agreement with Estonia in 2005, rather than concede to Estonia's appending prepared a unilateral declaration referencing Soviet occupation and territorial losses; Russia demands better accommodation of Russian-speaking population in Estonia; Estonian citizen groups continue to press for realignment of the boundary based on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Source: World Development Indicators database

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