Page 49 - Guide for International Students

climAte
Average temperatures range from 20°C in sum- mer, with July usually being the hottest month, to -8°C in winter. However, the temperature may rise to 30°C and above in summer or fall below -25°C in winter. Those staying in Estonia during the winter months, i.e. between October and April, will need a good pair of warm, insulated shoes or boots, warm winter coat, woollen sweat- ers and thermal underwear, also some clothing for the rainy days. Otherwise, normal northern European clothing is enough.
lAnguAge
The official language is Estonian, which belongs to the Finnish branch of Finno-Ugric group
of languages. It is therefore not related to the neighbouring Indo-European languages, such as Russian, Latvian and Swedish. Finnish, Hungar- ian and Estonian are the best known of the Finno-Ugric languages.
tallinn
Official name: Tallinn
Historical names: Reval, Lindanise, Lyndanisse,
Lindanäs, Ledenets, Kesoniemi, Kolyvan
Position: capital and the largest city of Estonia
Population: 431 184
County: Harju County
Official Language: Estonian; additionally Finn- ish, Russian and English are widely understood
“Tallinn is the most central place in eastern and northern Europe – it is easy to travel to Helsinki (85 km), Riga (307 km), Stockholm (405 km) and St. Petersburg (395 km).”
getting Around estoniA
Public buses and trains are the easiest, cheapest and most convenient solution for visiting Tartu, Pärnu, Narva, Viljandi or any other larger town. Buses from Tallinn to Tartu depart every 30 min- utes, to Pärnu every hour. On weekdays, seats
to these destinations are almost always available directly before departure (but watch out for spe- cial events). During weekends it is recommend- able to buy a ticket in advance. Timetables and ticket information is available at www.tpilet.ee. The Tallinn Bus Terminal is located at Lastekodu Street 46 (reachable by tram no 2 and 4).
If you plan to travel by train, information about timetables and tickets can be found at www.elron.ee. The Central Train Station Balti Jaam is located at Toompuiestee Street 37 (reach- able by tram no 1 and 2).
About Estonia: estonia.eu, lonelyplanet.com/estonia
GeoGraphy
Total area: 159.2 km2 Coordinates: 59°26’ N 24°45’ E
Situated: the southern coast of the Gulf of Fin- land, in north central Estonia
Distance from Tallinn to Helsinki - 85 km; to Riga - 310 km; to St. Petersburg - 365 km; to Stockholm - 380 km
Length of the coastline: 46 kilometers
Largest lake: Lake Ülemiste (covers 9.6 km2) –
main source of the city’s drinking water River: Pirita
Highest point: 64 meters above the sea level, the district of Nõmme, in the south-west of the city.
(Student from italy)