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Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
Capital city > Geographic coordinates: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Capital city > Name: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Constitution: The dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments to a nation's constitution
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Executive branch > Cabinet: Cabinet includes the official name for any body of high-ranking advisers roughly comparable to a U.S. Cabinet. Also notes the method for selection of members.
Executive branch > Chief of state: The name and title of any person or role roughly equivalent to a U.S. Chief of State. This means the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government
Executive branch > Head of government: Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
Government type: A description of the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
Judicial branch: The name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.
Legal system: A brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Political parties and leaders: Significant political organizations and their leaders.
Suffrage: The age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted
Country name > Conventional long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Civil law system: Description.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Executive branch > Elections: Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election
Leaders > Prime minister: Government > Leaders > Prime minister
National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
Flag description: A written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Country name > Conventional short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Constitutional form: Constitutional form of government.
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
Total businesses registered > Number: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward.
National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
Legislative branch > Election results: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Legislative branch > Elections: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index: Compares countries by their degree of government censorship, according to the Press freedom index. This index, created by the non-governmental organization Reporters without borders (RWS), is ellaborated using data from an extensive annual survey sent to professional reporters throughout the world. The survey contains questions about the type and ownership of media present in the country, freedom of speech, violence exerted against reporters, election campaigns, access of political parties to the media, etc.
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage: Percentage of seats held by women in country's national parliament or legislative houses.
Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. "
Executive branch > Election results: Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election (if any)
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
Basis of executive legitimacy: Basis of executive legitimacy.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Country name > Local short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press: Compares countries by freedom of the press. The lower the score, the more free the press of that country is. The scores are taken from the Freedom of the Press Index, elaborated by Freedom House, self-defined as "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world". The data used in the index come from an annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories, assessing the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in each of them.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber occupied by women.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote: Percentage of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties: Civil and political liberties
Units: Index Ranging from 7 (High Levels of Liberties) to 1 (Low
Units: This is the average of two indicators - civil liberties and political liberties.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
National holiday: The primary national day of celebration - often independence day.
Capital > Geographic coordinates: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Democracy > First female parliamentarian: Year first woman elected or appointed to parliament.
Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Leaders > President: Government > Leaders > President
Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index: DI 2012.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
Politics: Country politics.
International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 55 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 114 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
Parliament > Seats held by men: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses.
Country name > Local long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency (years). Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Parliament > Seats held by women: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses.
Leaders > President > Summary: Government > Leaders > President > Summary
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel: Date on which Israel was officially recognized as a state. Note that some countries had a “de facto” recognition in place long before the legal recognition.
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating: Democratic institutions
Units: Scale ranging from -10 (autocratic) to +10 (democratic)
UN membership date: Date of United Nations Membership
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people: DI 2012. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
Capital city: The location of the seat of government.
Capital > Name: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Spending > Expense > Current LCU: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout: The proportion of registered voters who actually voted.
Legislature (parliament) > People per member: Number of people each member of the legislature represents on average. The number of members of the legislature is the sum of the members of all chambers of parliament, if applicable.
Capital > Time difference: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
International relations: Country international relations.
Leaders > Prime minister > Profile: Government > Leaders > Prime minister > Profile
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members: Members of the lower house of the legislature or of the only chamber in a unicameral system.
Leaders > Head of state > Term limit for head of state: Head(s) of state.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
Democracy > Female parliamentarians: Seats in parliament held by women (as % of total). Data are as of 8 March 2002. Where there are lower and upper houses, data refer to the weighted average of women's shares of seats in both houses.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
Leaders > President > Profile: Government > Leaders > President > Profile
Role of head of state: Head of state.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote): This list shows the percentage of votes obtained by nationalist parties across Europe at the latest elections held in their respective countries. Note that the percentages show the votes from all the parties combined, and only for general elections (some parties may obtain a quite higher percentage in regional elections). Nationalist parties usually hold right-wing populist views, and among their common demands are a higher control of immigration, extended social/labor rights for country nationals, and a restriction of islamic customs -such as the veil or the construction of mosques-, though their ideologies and goals vary from country to country. Some parties have as their main goal the seggregation of a region from its parent country (with examples in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland). Most of nationalist parties with elected members in the European Parliament belong to the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong: Strength of legal rights index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. The index ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that these laws are better designed to expand access to credit."
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1 $ gross domestic product.
Parliament > Seats held by women per million people: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Democracy > Female suffrage: Year in which women received the right to vote. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to vote.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Leaders > Prime minister > Summary: Government > Leaders > Prime minister > Summary
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Capital > Daylight saving time: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties: Absolute number of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador: Name of ambassador to the USA.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Failed States Index: FSI 2013.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age
Democracy > Female candidacy: Year in which women received the right to stand for election. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to stand for election.
Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote: The total number of votes cast in the relevant election. Total vote includes valid and invalid votes, as well as blank votes in cases where these are separated from invalid votes. More information on valid, invalid and blank votes can be found at aceproject.org
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration: The number of registered voters. The figure represents the number of names on the voters' register at the time that the registration process closes, as reported by the electoral management body.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Turnout: The number of votes divided by the Voting Age Population figure, expressed as a percentage.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
Procedures to register property > Number: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes: January 1, 2005
Democracy and rights > Next election: Next election.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader: January 1, 2005
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader: January 1, 2007
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China: The date on which each country established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes: January 1, 2006
Spending > Expense > % of GDP: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes: The number of invalid votes, as reported by each country.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Capital city > Time difference: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant local currency.
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes: January 1, 2007
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader: January 1, 2005
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader: January 1, 2007
Spending > Other expense > % of expense: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
Democracy and rights > Last election: Last election.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Trademarks > Residents per million: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Procedures to register property > Number per million: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Ruling party: In power now.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth: Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.
Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Trademarks > Nonresidents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
Parliamentary republic adoption date: Date each country adopted the parliamentary republic form of government.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia issued by countries who do not recognize their sovereignty.
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo: Date on which Kosovo was officially recognized as a state.
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament: Number of members of the legislature (sum of members of all chambers of parliament where applicable).
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current local currency.
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members: Members of the lower (or sole) house.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
European Union > Council of the European Union votes: Number of votes each member state of the European Union has in the Council of the European Union.
Trademarks > Residents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours: Time to prepare and pay taxes is the time, in hours per year, it takes to prepare, file, and pay (or withhold) three major types of taxes: the corporate income tax, the value added or sales tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social security contributions.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars.
Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.

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STAT	Estonia	Finland
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)	19 regions (maakunnat, singular - maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular - landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Osterbotten (Swedish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland]
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	59	60 10 N, 24 56 E
Capital city > Name	Tallinn	Helsinki
Constitution	several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992; amended several times, last in 2012	1 March 2000
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	use embassy street address	APO AE 09723
Executive branch > Cabinet	Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament	Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament
Executive branch > Chief of state	President Toomas Hendrik ILVES (since 9 October 2006)	President Sauli NIINISTO (since 1 March 2012)
Executive branch > Head of government	Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)	Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 22 June 2011)
Government type	parliamentary republic	republic
International organization participation	Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO	ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch	Supreme Court (chairman appointed for life by Parliament)	general courts - deal with criminal and civil cases (include district courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, whose judges are appointed by the president); administrative courts
Legal system	civil law system	civil law system based on the Swedish model
Legislative branch	unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu	unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta
Political parties and leaders	Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR]<br />Estonian Greens (Rohelised) [Aleksander LAANE]<br />Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Margo MILJAND]<br />Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]<br />Social Democratic Party or SDE [Sven MIKSER]<br />Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa je Res Publica Liit) or IRL [Urmas REINSALU]	Center Party or Kesk [Juha SIPILA]<br />Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]<br />Green League or Vihr [Ville NIINISTO]<br />Left Alliance or Vas [Paavo ARHINMAKI]<br />National Coalition Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]<br />Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]<br />Swedish People's Party or SFP [Carl HAGLUND]<br />The Finns Party or TF [Timo SOINI]
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens	18 years of age; universal
Country name > Conventional long form	Republic of Estonia	Republic of Finland
Civil law system	Largely influenced by German civil law.	Civil law system based on Swedish law
Executive branch > Elections	president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate 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 councils) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest number of votes; election last held on 29 August 2011 (next to be held in the fall of 2016); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament	president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); the parliament elects a prime minister who is then appointed to office by the president
Leaders > Prime minister	Andrus Ansip	Jyrki Katainen
National symbol(s)	barn swallow, cornflower	lion
Flag description	three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white; various interpretations are linked to the flag colors; blue represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, while also reminiscent of the sky, sea, and lakes of the country; black symbolizes the soil of the country and the dark past and suffering endured by the Estonian people; white refers to the striving towards enlightenment and virtue, and is the color of birch bark and snow, as well as summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun	white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days	6.5 Ranked 154th.	14 Ranked 108th. 2 times more than Estonia
Country name > Conventional short form	Estonia	Finland
Constitutional form	Republic	Republic
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	Russia and Estonia in May 2005 signed a technical border agreement, but Russia in June 2005 recalled its signature after the Estonian parliament added to its domestic ratification act a historical preamble referencing the Soviet occupation and Estonia's pre-war borders under the 1920 Treaty of Tartu; Russia contends that the preamble allows Estonia to make territorial claims on Russia in the future, while Estonian officials deny that the preamble has any legal impact on the treaty text; Russia demands better treatment of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia implements strict Schengen border rules with Russia	various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands
Total businesses registered > Number	86,816 Ranked 48th.	250,873 Ranked 33th. 3 times more than Estonia
National anthem	<strong>name: </strong>"Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS	<strong>name: </strong>"Maamme" (Our Land)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS
FAX	372	358
Legislative branch > Election results	percent of vote by party - Estonian Reform Party 28.6%, Center Party of Estonia 23.3%, IRL 20.5%, SDE 17.1%, Estonian Greens 3.8%, Estonian People's Union 2.1%, other 4.6%; seats by party - Estonian Reform Party 33, Center Party 21, IRL 23, SDE 19, unaffiliated 5	percent of vote by party - Kok 20.4%, SDP 19.1%, TF 19.1%, Kesk 15.8%, Vas 8.1%, Vihr 7.3%, SFP 4.3%, KD 4%, other 1.9%; seats by party - Kok 44, SDP 42, TF 39, Kesk 35, Vas 14, Vihr 10, SFP 9, KD 6, other 1 (the constituency of Aland)
Legislative branch > Elections	last held on 6 March 2011 (next to be held in March 2015)	last held on 17 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015)
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index	9.26 Ranked 26th. 45% more than Finland	6.38 Ranked 34th.
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage	20.79% Ranked 78th.	42.5% Ranked 7th. 2 times more than Estonia
Independence	20 August 1991 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)	6 December 1917 (from Russia)
Executive branch > Election results	Toomas Hendrik ILVES reelected president; parliamentary vote - Toomas Hendrik ILVES 73, Indrek TARAND 25	percent of vote - Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 36.96%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 18.76%, Paavo VAYRYNEN (Kesk) 17.53%, Timo SOINI (TF) 9.4%, Paavo LIPPONEN (SDP) 6.7%, Paavo ARHINMÃKI (Vas) 5.48%, Eva BIAUDET (SFP) 2.7%, Sari ESSAYAH (KD) 2.47%; a runoff election between NIINISTO and HAAVISTO was held 5 February 2012 - NIINISTO 62.59%, HAAVISTO 37.41%; Jyrki KATAINEN elected prime minister; election results 118-72
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts	circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts	6
Basis of executive legitimacy	Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence	Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
Country name > Local short form	Eesti	Suomi/Finland
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press	18 Ranked 173th. 80% more than Finland	10 Ranked 193th.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament	18.8% Ranked 63th.	38% Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Estonia
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy	Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn	Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number	5 Ranked 141st. 67% more than Finland	3 Ranked 177th.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote	20.1% Ranked 3rd. 5% more than Finland	19.1% Ranked 4th.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties	5.5 Ranked 30th.	6 Ranked 12th. 9% more than Estonia
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$	2.39 billion$ Ranked 73th.	43.53 billion$ Ranked 22nd. 18 times more than Estonia
National holiday	Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union	Independence Day, 6 December
Capital > Geographic coordinates	59 26 N, 24 43 E	60 10 N, 24 56 E
Democracy > First female parliamentarian	1919 (elected)	1907 (elected)
Time required to start a business > Days	35 days Ranked 89th. 3 times more than Finland	14 days Ranked 148th.
Leaders > President	Toomas Hendrik Ilves	Sauli Niinisto
Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment	0.971 Ranked 104th.	0.993 Ranked 48th. 2% more than Estonia
Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office	the chief justice is proposed by the president and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life	Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court judges appointed by the president of the republic; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index	7.61 Ranked 27th.	9.06 Ranked 9th. 19% more than Estonia
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient	5.2 Ranked 13th.	6.1 Ranked 3rd. 17% more than Estonia
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days	17.5 Ranked 138th. 25% more than Finland	14 Ranked 153th.
Politics	PM Andrus Ansip heads a centre-right coalition which was re-elected in 2011	PM Jyrki Katainen's conservative National Coalition Party is the largest single group in parliament. Conservative President Sauli Niinisto is head of state
International law organization participation	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Parliament > Seats held by men	80 Ranked 121st.	115 Ranked 85th. 44% more than Estonia
Country name > Local long form	Eesti Vabariik	Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years	3 Ranked 65th. 3 times more than Finland	0.9 Ranked 165th.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million	3.73 Ranked 48th. 7 times more than Finland	0.554 Ranked 110th.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[372] 668-8100	[358] (9) 616250
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Marina KALJURAND (since 6 September 2011)	Ambassador Ritva KOUKKU-RONDE (since 1 September 2011)
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Jeffrey D. LEVINE (since 24 July 2012)	Ambassador Bruce J. ORECK (since 12 August 2009)
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery	None	None
Parliament > Seats held by women	21 Ranked 107th.	85 Ranked 22nd. 4 times more than Estonia
Leaders > President > Summary	Social Democrat Hendrik Toomas Ilves has occupied the largely cermonial role of president since 2006	President Sauli Niinisto is credited with leading the economy towards growth in the 1990s
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel	None	None
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating	6 Ranked 71st.	10 Ranked 27th. 67% more than Estonia
UN membership date	17 Sep. 1991	14 Dec. 1955
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people	5.68 Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Finland	1.67 Ranked 9th.
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000	64.14 Ranked 21st. 33% more than Finland	48.12 Ranked 26th.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number	13 Ranked 108th.	16 Ranked 70th. 23% more than Estonia
Capital city	Tallinn	Helsinki
Capital > Name	Tallinn	Helsinki
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita	1,775.79$ per capita Ranked 29th.	8,297.72$ per capita Ranked 7th. 5 times more than Estonia
Spending > Expense > Current LCU	78.09 billion Ranked 54th. 21% more than Finland	64.68 billion Ranked 57th.
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days	111 Ranked 69th. 3 times more than Finland	42 Ranked 166th.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout	57.4% Ranked 122nd.	65.3% Ranked 95th. 14% more than Estonia
Legislature (parliament) > People per member	13,271 Ranked 101st.	26,735 Ranked 84th. 2 times more than Estonia
Capital > Time difference	UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)	UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
International relations	Estonia joined Nato and the EU in 2004. It has a troop contingent in Afghanistan	Finland is one of four EU countries not in Nato. Its military is active in peacekeeping operations
Leaders > Prime minister > Profile	<p>The centre-right coalition led by Andrus Ansip increased its parliamentary majority in elections held in March 2011. </p><p>Mr Ansip thus bettered his own record of being Estonia's first sitting prime minister to be re-elected since the country quit the Soviet Union in 1991.</p> <p>He became prime minister in April 2005 and in March 2007 his centre-right Reform Party won parliamentary polls, but with too small a margin to govern alone.</p> <p>It went on to form a coalition with the conservative Pro Patria-Res Publica (IRL) and the Social Democrats.</p> <p>The re-election of the coalition in March 2011 was seen as voters rewarding the government for piloting the country through the economic crisis caused by the credit crunch of 2008, and into recovery.</p> <p>It was also Estonia's first election since joining the single European currency in January 2011. Mr Ansip had originally aimed for eurozone membership in January 2007 but high inflation led the government to put back the target entry date.</p> <p>Taking office for his third term, Mr Ansip said that improving the quality of people's lives was a top priority.</p> <p>But by late 2012, his party's opinion poll ratings fell to a record low as a result of popular anger at the quashing of a money-laundering and party funding case and the subsequent resignation of the justice minister, Kristen Michal. </p> <p>In the run-up to the March 2007 poll Mr Ansip backed legislation that paved the way for the removal of a controversial Red Army memorial in Tallinn. The law, and the subsequent relocation of the statue, sparked fury in Moscow.</p> <p>Andrus Ansip was 48 when he became premier. He entered national politics in 2004 following six years as mayor of Tartu, Estonia's second city.</p> <p>He is married and has three daughters. </p>	<p>Mr Katainen's conservative National Coalition Party emerged as the largest single group in parliament in the April 2011 elections.</p><p>He formed a grand coalition in June with six other parties from the left and centre, including the Social Democrats.</p> <p>The new opposition is the populist True Finns party, which refused to join the government in protest at its support for a bailout for Portugal during the debt crisis.</p> <p>Born in 1971, Mr Katainen worked as a teacher before being elected a councillor in 1993. He entered parliament in 1999 and became party leader in 2004.</p> <p>He served as deputy prime minister and finance minister in the previous two Centre-Party-led coalition governments between 2007 and 2011.</p>
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million	82.87 Ranked 39th. 11 times more than Finland	7.76 Ranked 109th.
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members	101 Ranked 83th.	200 Ranked 50th. 98% more than Estonia
Leaders > Head of state > Term limit for head of state	5 Ranked 93th.	6 Ranked 25th. 20% more than Estonia
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days	425 Ranked 141st. 13% more than Finland	375 Ranked 162nd.
Democracy > Female parliamentarians	17.8% Ranked 42nd.	36.5% Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Estonia
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number	3 Ranked 170th. The same as Finland	3 Ranked 173th.
Leaders > President > Profile	<p>Mr Ilves was first sworn in as president in October 2006.</p> <p>As head of state, the president is supreme commander of the armed forces and represents Estonia abroad. However, the role is mainly ceremonial.</p> <p>The president is elected to a five-year term by MPs and local officials. Mr Ilves was re-elected for a second five-year term in August 2011.</p> <p>Born in 1953, Mr Ilves is a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party.</p>	<p>Sauli Niinisto won the presidential election of February 2012 to become the country's first conservative head of state in five decades.</p> <p>He is the first president from the conservative National Coalition Party since 1956, and the first in 30 years from a party other than the Social Democrats.</p> <p>The victory of the pro-Europe politician suggested to observers that voters wanted to keep the country in the eurozone despite misgivings over European Union bailouts.</p> <p>Mr Niinisto is credited with leading Finland's economy towards growth following the collapse of the Soviet Union, during his tenure as finance minister from 1996 to 2001.</p> <p>Finland's president has a largely ceremonial role with fewer powers now than in previous decades, and is not directly involved in daily politics. However, the head of state is seen as an important shaper of public opinion, takes the lead on non-EU matters of foreign policy and plays a role as a "brand ambassador" of Finland overseas.</p> <p>Mr Niinisto succeeded President Tarja Halonen, who was elected as the country's first female president in 2000 and re-elected in 2006.</p>
Role of head of state	Ceremonial	Ceremonial
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita	1,775.8$ Ranked 29th.	8,297.72$ Ranked 7th. 5 times more than Estonia
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote)	20.1% Ranked 3rd. 5% more than Finland	19.1% Ranked 4th.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number	6 Ranked 146th. Twice as much as Finland	3 Ranked 166th.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million	3.88 Ranked 13th. 3 times more than Finland	1.13 Ranked 40th.
Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong	6 Ranked 78th.	7 Ranked 60th. 17% more than Estonia
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU	34.59 billion Ranked 54th.	46.16 billion Ranked 50th. 33% more than Estonia
Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU	17.11 billion Ranked 56th. 3 times more than Finland	6.5 billion Ranked 65th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP	0.182$ per $1 of GDP Ranked 47th.	0.225$ per $1 of GDP Ranked 24th. 24% more than Estonia
Parliament > Seats held by women per million people	16.58 Ranked 24th. 3% more than Finland	16.14 Ranked 26th.
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	April 20, 1992	September 21, 1974
Democracy > Female suffrage	1918	1906
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days	148 Ranked 96th. 2 times more than Finland	66 Ranked 177th.
Leaders > Prime minister > Summary	Andrus Ansip is the longest-serving prime minister since independence in 1991	Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen is a former teacher
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million	26.13 Ranked 42nd. 4 times more than Finland	6.09 Ranked 83th.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million	4.85 Ranked 66th. 88% more than Finland	2.59 Ranked 83th.
Constitution codification > Date	1992	2000
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million	13.07 Ranked 53th. 5 times more than Finland	2.59 Ranked 105th.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million	9.71 Ranked 41st. 3 times more than Finland	2.96 Ranked 75th.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million	110.5 Ranked 42nd. 9 times more than Finland	12.19 Ranked 107th.
Capital > Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita	64.14 per 1,000 people Ranked 21st. 33% more than Finland	48.12 per 1,000 people Ranked 27th.
Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU	211.1 million Ranked 77th.	2.35 billion Ranked 58th. 11 times more than Estonia
Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties	118,023 Ranked 25th.	560,075 Ranked 13th. 5 times more than Estonia
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador	Kaljurand, Marina Marina Kaljurand	Koukku-Ronde, Ritva Ritva Koukku-Ronde
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons	94,235 Ranked 7th. 47 times more than Finland	2,017 Ranked 32nd.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people	70.36 Ranked 1st. 189 times more than Finland	0.373 Ranked 29th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita	1,077.75 constant 2000 US$ per c Ranked 24th.	5,297.22 constant 2000 US$ per c Ranked 8th. 5 times more than Estonia
Time required to build a warehouse > Days	117 days Ranked 140th. 2 times more than Finland	56 days Ranked 166th.
Failed States Index	45.3 Ranked 6th. 3 times more than Finland	18 Ranked 33th.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population	1.07 million Ranked 117th.	4.16 million Ranked 77th. 4 times more than Estonia
Democracy > Female candidacy	1,918 Ranked 151st. 1% more than Finland	1,906 Ranked 159th.
Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita	0.432 per 1,000 people Ranked 13th. 3 times more than Finland	0.138 per 1,000 people Ranked 27th.
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000	0.432 Ranked 13th. 3 times more than Finland	0.138 Ranked 27th.
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	March 2, 1992	February 19, 1992
National anthem > Name	"Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)	"Maamme" (Our Land)
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Votes	4 Ranked 24th.	7 Ranked 20th. 75% more than Estonia
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote	492,356 Ranked 116th.	2.71 million Ranked 68th. 6 times more than Estonia
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration	857,270 Ranked 112th.	4.15 million Ranked 73th. 5 times more than Estonia
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Turnout	46 Ranked 95th.	65.2 Ranked 54th. 42% more than Estonia
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita	4.47 per 1 million people Ranked 39th. 8 times more than Finland	0.571 per 1 million people Ranked 112th.
Time required to enforce a contract > Days	275 days Ranked 145th. 21% more than Finland	228 days Ranked 154th.
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Procedures to register property > Number	3 Ranked 155th. The same as Finland	3 Ranked 157th.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number	13 Ranked 134th.	17 Ranked 88th. 31% more than Estonia
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes	4 Ranked 23th.	7 Ranked 19th. 75% more than Estonia
Democracy and rights > Next election	March 2015	April 2015
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense	44.29% Ranked 45th.	71.36% Ranked 6th. 61% more than Estonia
Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China	September 11, 1991	October 28, 1950
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense	21.91% Ranked 45th. 2 times more than Finland	10.05% Ranked 80th.
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes	4 Ranked 23th.	7 Ranked 19th. 75% more than Estonia
Spending > Expense > % of GDP	31.05% Ranked 35th.	35.12% Ranked 25th. 13% more than Estonia
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %	20.8% Ranked 79th.	42.5% Ranked 7th. 2 times more than Estonia
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[372] 668-8134	[358] (9) 6162 5800
Council of Europe > Date joined	5/14/1993	5/5/1989
Parties in the European Council during 2006 > Leaders > January 1 > 2006 > Votes	4 Ranked 22nd.	7 Ranked 18th. 75% more than Estonia
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Leader	Juhan Parts	Matti Vanhanen
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > National party	Reformierakond	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Party_%28Finland%29">Centre Party</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > National party	Reformierakond	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Party_%28Finland%29">Centre Party</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2007 > Leaders > January 1 > 2007 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes	1.6% Ranked 72nd. 60% more than Finland	1% Ranked 91st.
Parties in the European Council during 2009 > Leaders > January 1 > 2009 > Leader	Andrus Ansip	Matti Vanhanen
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > Votes	4 Ranked 24th.	7 Ranked 20th. 75% more than Estonia
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone	[1] (202) 588-0101	[1] (202) 298-5800
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 588-0108	[1] (202) 298-6030
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million	18.61 Ranked 36th. 4 times more than Finland	5.13 Ranked 72nd.
Capital city > Time difference	2	UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National anthem > Note	adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody with that of Finland but has different lyrics	in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU	24635400000	30163000000
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense	13.14% Ranked 41st. 35% more than Finland	9.76% Ranked 64th.
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Votes	4 Ranked 22nd.	7 Ranked 18th. 75% more than Estonia
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita	1,077.76 constant 2000 US$ Ranked 24th.	5,297.22 constant 2000 US$ Ranked 7th. 5 times more than Estonia
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number	35 Ranked 132nd. 6% more than Finland	33 Ranked 148th.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million	2.24 Ranked 50th. 4 times more than Finland	0.554 Ranked 94th.
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita	0.92 per 1,000 people Ranked 9th. 85% more than Finland	0.497 per 1,000 people Ranked 26th.
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes	4 Ranked 25th.	7 Ranked 21st. 75% more than Estonia
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader	Juhan Parts	Matti Vanhanen
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense	0.27% Ranked 84th.	3.63% Ranked 54th. 13 times more than Estonia
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader	Andrus Ansip	Matti Vanhanen
Spending > Other expense > % of expense	3.6% Ranked 62nd.	7.78% Ranked 28th. 2 times more than Estonia
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU	2.81 billion Ranked 57th.	5.03 billion Ranked 50th. 79% more than Estonia
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Leader	Andrus Ansip	Matti Vanhanen
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Leader	Andrus Ansip	Mari Kiviniemi
Democracy and rights > Last election	March 2011	April 2011
Trademarks > Residents per million	919.74 Ranked 9th. 85% more than Finland	496.92 Ranked 26th.
Procedures to register property > Number per million	2.23 Ranked 38th. 4 times more than Finland	0.57 Ranked 85th.
Ruling party	Estonian Reform Party	National Coalition
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million	9.68 Ranked 34th. 3 times more than Finland	3.23 Ranked 64th.
Time to resolve insolvency > Years	3 years Ranked 76th. 3 times more than Finland	0.9 years Ranked 145th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth	7.48% Ranked 26th. 5 times more than Finland	1.53% Ranked 78th.
Time required to register property > Days	51 days Ranked 79th. 4 times more than Finland	14 days Ranked 144th.
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Votes	4 Ranked 24th.	7 Ranked 20th. 75% more than Estonia
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue	0.27% Ranked 85th.	3.21% Ranked 57th. 12 times more than Estonia
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general	New York	Los Angeles, New York
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people	63.17 Ranked 35th. 3 times more than Finland	21.84 Ranked 73th.
Trademarks > Nonresidents	583 Ranked 39th.	722 Ranked 36th. 24% more than Estonia
Parliamentary republic adoption date	1918	1919
Date of transition to republican system of government > Republic since	March 15, 1917	November 9, 1918
FAX > Consulate(s) general	New York	Los Angeles, New York
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000	791.58 Ranked 16th.	797.21 Ranked 14th. 1% more than Estonia
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million	4.47 Ranked 39th. 8 times more than Finland	0.57 Ranked 113th.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number	25 Ranked 132nd.	27 Ranked 119th. 8% more than Estonia
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia	Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated "Russia's move is a deliberate breach of international law and the principles of stability in Europe. Estonia, like all European Union and NATO member states, adheres firmly to the principles of Georgia\u2019s territorial integrity".	Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. Russia should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire agreement, including the modalities defined in the 16 August 2008 letter of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones".
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo	None	None
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament	101 Ranked 88th.	200 Ranked 57th. 98% more than Estonia
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU	30090300000	35003000000
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members	4 Ranked 152nd. The same as Finland	4 Ranked 164th.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million	317.31 Ranked 43th. 5 times more than Finland	69.26 Ranked 91st.
European Union > Council of the European Union votes	4 Ranked 26th.	7 Ranked 22nd. 75% more than Estonia
Trademarks > Residents	1,241 Ranked 36th.	2,598 Ranked 28th. 2 times more than Estonia
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours	104 hours Ranked 148th.	264 hours Ranked 80th. 3 times more than Estonia
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$	1.45 billion constant 2000 US$ Ranked 68th.	27.79 billion constant 2000 US$ Ranked 22nd. 19 times more than Estonia
Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita	2.24 per 1 million people Ranked 39th. 4 times more than Finland	0.571 per 1 million people Ranked 87th.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita	18.64 per 1 million people Ranked 36th. 4 times more than Finland	5.14 per 1 million people Ranked 74th.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita	9.69 per 1 million people Ranked 34th. 3 times more than Finland	3.23 per 1 million people Ranked 65th.
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU	10.26 billion Ranked 54th. 63% more than Finland	6.31 billion Ranked 60th.

SOURCES: CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of national legal systems (Civil law); British Broadcasting Corporation 2014; World Bank, Doing Business project (http://www.doingbusiness.org/).; Wikipedia: List of countries by system of government (Alphabetical list of countries); All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; World Development Indicators database; Wikipedia: Censorship by country (Censorship by country) ("Press Freedom Index 2013" , Reporters Without Borders, 30 January 2013); United Nations Statistics Division; "2012 Freedom of the Press Data" , Freedom House, 1 May 2012; Wikipedia: List of active nationalist parties in Europe (National); Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2000-2001, New York: Freedom House, 2001; IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945-1995: A World Statistical Survey. Geneva and IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2001. 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Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files.; Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 2003; Wikipedia: List of legislatures by number of members; Wikipedia: Term of office (Terms of office by country); calculated on the basis of data on parliamentary seats from IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2002. Parline Database. March 2002; World Economic Forum, Global Competiveness Report and data files. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; United Nations Statistics Division. Source tables. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Foreign relations of Nepal; IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945-1995: A World Statistical Survey. 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Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_Abkhazia_and_South_Ossetia#States_that_do_not_recognise_Abkhazia_or_South_Ossetia_as_independent; Wikipedia: International recognition of Kosovo (United Nations member states); "Council of the European Union" . Council of the European Union.

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