Topic: Photos of Estonia

Topic: Introduction
Background: After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries - it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 59 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 45,228 sq km

land: 42,388 sq km

water: 2,840 sq km

note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
Area - comparative: about twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 657 km

border countries (2): Latvia 333 km; Russia 324 km
Coastline: 3,794 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Terrain: marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south
Elevation: highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 61 m
Natural resources: oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud
Land use: agricultural land: 22.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 52.1% (2018 est.)

other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Natural hazards: sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Geography - note: the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands

Topic: People and Society
Population: 1,211,524 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Estonian(s)

adjective: Estonian
Ethnic groups: Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)
Languages: Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)
Religions: Orthodox 16.2%, Lutheran 9.9%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 2.2%, other 0.9%, none 54.1%, unspecified 16.7% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.22% (male 102,191/female 97,116)

15-24 years: 8.86% (male 56,484/female 52,378)

25-54 years: 40.34% (male 252,273/female 243,382)

55-64 years: 13.58% (male 76,251/female 90,576)

65 years and over: 21% (male 89,211/female 168,762) (2020 est.)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 58.4

youth dependency ratio: 26.1

elderly dependency ratio: 32.3

potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 43.7 years

male: 40.4 years

female: 47 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.71% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 13.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Urbanization: urban population: 69.6% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 452,000 TALLINN (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.42 male(s)/female

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.2 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.88 years

male: 73.25 years

female: 82.73 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: NA

total: 99.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: NA

total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.7% (2019)
Physicians density: 4.48 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 99.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,100 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: <100 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)

vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.2% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.4% (2013/15)
Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2018)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.8% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 17 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.9%

male: 17.4%

female: 18.4% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amounts of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen dramatically and the pollution load of wastewater at purification plants has decreased substantially due to improved technology and environmental monitoring; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 6.74 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 16.59 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.99 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers
Land use: agricultural land: 22.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 52.1% (2018 est.)

other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 69.6% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)

vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 473,000 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 117,020 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.7% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 59.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1.721 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 4.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 12.806 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Estonia

conventional short form: Estonia

local long form: Eesti Vabariik

local short form: Eesti

former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)

etymology: the country name may derive from the Aesti, an ancient people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D.
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Tallinn

geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the Estonian name is generally believed to be derived from "Taani-linn" (originally meaning "Danish castle", now "Danish town") after a stronghold built in the area by the Danes; it could also have come from "tali-linn" ("winter castle" or "winter town") or "talu-linn" ("home castle" or "home town")
Administrative divisions: 15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald)

 urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru

rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, Räpina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru
Independence: 24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union restoring its statehood
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992, entered into force 3 July 1992

amendments: proposed by at least one-fifth of Parliament members or by the president of the republic; passage requires three readings of the proposed amendment and a simple majority vote in two successive memberships of Parliament; passage of amendments to the "General Provisions" and "Amendment of the Constitution" chapters requires at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament to conduct a referendum and majority vote in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015
Legal system: civil law system
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS (since 26 January 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 30-31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); in a first round of voting on 30 August, parliament failed to elect a president; in a second round on 31 August, the sole candidate, Alar KARIS, received 72 votes of 101 votes (there were 8 blank votes and 21 electors not present); KARIS was inaugurated on 11 October 2021; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament

election results: Alar KARIS elected president on 31 August 2021; parliament vote-Alar KARIS (independent) 72 of 101 votes; note – KARIS follows Kersti KALJULAID, who was Estonia's first female president; KALLAS is Estonia's first female prime ministerpresident indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 30-31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); in a first round of voting on 30 August, parliament failed to elect a president; in a second round on 31 August, the sole candidate, Alar KARIS, received 72 votes of 101 votes (there were 8 blank votes and 21 electors not present); KARIS was inaugurated on 11 October 2021; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by ParliamentAlar KARIS elected president on 31 August 2021; parliament vote-Alar KARIS (independent) 72 of 101 votes; note – KARIS follows Kersti KALJULAID, who was Estonia's first female president; KALLAS is Estonia's first female prime minister
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open- list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 3 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - RE 28.9%, K 23.1%, EKRE 17.8%, Pro Patria 11.4%, SDE 9.8%, other 9%; seats by party - RE 34, K 26, EKRE 19, Pro Patria 12, SDE 10; composition - men 75, women 26, percent of women 25.7%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 19 justices, including the chief justice, and organized into civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional review chambers)

judge selection and term of office: the chief justice is proposed by the president of the republic and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life

subordinate courts: circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts
Political parties and leaders: Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Juri RATAS]
Estonia 200 [Kristina KALLAS]
Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME]
Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Kaja KALLAS]
Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL]
Pro Patria (Isamaa) [Helir-Valdor SEEDER]
Social Democratic Party or SDE [Jevgeni OSSINOVSKI]
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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristjan PRIKK (since 7 July 2021)

chancery: 1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108

email address and website:
Embassy.Washington@mfa.ee

https://washington.mfa.ee/

consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brian RORAFF (since July 2019)

embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

mailing address: 4530 Tallinn Place, Washington DC  20521-4530

telephone: [372] 668-8100

FAX: [372] 668-8265

email address and website:
acstallinn@state.gov

https://ee.usembassy.gov/
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
National symbol(s): barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white
National anthem: name: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)

lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS

note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn,  Struve Geodetic Arc

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption.Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce.Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption.Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $47.44 billion (2020 est.)

$48.87 billion (2019 est.)

$46.54 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2019 est.)

4.36% (2018 est.)

5.51% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $35,600 (2020 est.)

$36,800 (2019 est.)

$35,200 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $31.461 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2019 est.)

3.4% (2018 est.)

3.4% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2018)

Moody's rating: A1 (2002)

Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2011)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 29.2% (2017 est.)

services: 68.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 20.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 24% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 2.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 77.2% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -74% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, pork, triticale
Industries: food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate: 9.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 648,000 (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.7%

industry: 20.5%

services: 76.8% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.94% (2019 est.)

4.73% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.9%

male: 17.4%

female: 18.4% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 21.7% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 30.4 (2017 est.)

35.6 (2014)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 25.6% (2015)
Budget: revenues: 10.37 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 10.44 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 9% of GDP (2017 est.)

9.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
Taxes and other revenues: 39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $616 million (2019 est.)

$280 million (2018 est.)
Exports: $21.69 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

$22.94 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

$22.69 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Exports - partners: Finland 13%, Sweden 9%, Latvia 8%, Russia 8%, United States 7%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, prefabricated buildings (2019)
Imports: $21.73 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

$21.68 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

$21.89 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Imports - partners: Russia 12%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Lithuania 7%, Latvia 7%, Sweden 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $345 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$352.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $23.944 billion (2019 est.)

$23.607 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.82771 (2020 est.)

0.90338 (2019 est.)

0.87789 (2018 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 11.55 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 8.795 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 5.613 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 3.577 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 2.578 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 72% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 28% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 28,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 27,150 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 35,520 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 481.4 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 481.4 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (2016 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 304,728 (2020)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22.97 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1,925,789 (2020)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145.2 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: greatly improved telecom service through a range of regulatory measures, competition, and foreign investment, leading to high-quality voice, data, and Internet services; one of the most advanced mobile markets and highest broadband penetration rates in Europe; government commits 20 million euro to rural broadband program; operators supporting LTE infrastructure and launch of smart services; 5G services in major cities; government provides Internet to schools and libraries (2020)

domestic: just under 23 per 100 for fixed-line subscribership and approximately 145 per 100 for mobile-cellular; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income tax returns online, and online voting - in local and parliamentary elections - has climbed steadily since first being introduced in 2005; a large percent of Estonian households have broadband access (2020)

international: country code - 372; landing points for the EE-S-1, EESF-3, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, FEC and EESF-2 fiber-optic submarine cables to other Estonia points, Finland, and Sweden; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 3 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; in 2016, there were 42 on-demand services available in Estonia, including 19 pay TVOD and SVOD services; roughly 85% of households accessed digital television services
Internet country code: .ee
Internet users: total: 1.22 million (2022 est.)

percent of population: 92% (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 415,610 (2020)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31.33 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 14

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 31,981 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ES
Airports: total: 18 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 3 (2013)
Heliports: 1 (2012)
Pipelines: 2360 km gas (2016)
Railways: total: 2,146 km (2016)

broad gauge: 2,146 km 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) (2016)

note: includes 1,510 km public and 636 km non-public railway
Roadways: total: 58,412 km (includes urban roads) (2011)

paved: 10,427 km (includes 115 km of expressways) (2011)

unpaved: 47,985 km (2011)
Waterways: 335 km (320 km are navigable year-round) (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 68

by type: general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 62 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Estonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defense League (Reserves); Ministry of Interior: Border Guards (2021)
Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

2.3% of GDP (2020)

2% of GDP (2019)

2% of GDP (2018)

2% of GDP (2017)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Estonian Defense Forces have approximately 6,500 active duty personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Estonian Defense Forces have a limited inventory of Soviet-era and more recently acquired modern weapons systems, largely from western European countries, particularly France and the Netherlands (2021)
Military deployments: approximately 100 Mali (Operation Barkhane/MINUSMA/EUTM) (2021)
Military service age and obligation: men 18-27 for compulsory military or governmental service, conscript service requirement 8-11 months depending on education; NCOs, reserve officers, and specialists serve 11 months; women can volunteer and as of 2018, women could serve in any branch of the military (2021)

note(s) - conscripts comprise about half (approximately 3,000-3,300) of the Estonian military's 6,500 active personnel and serve in all branches, except for the Air Force, which does not have conscripts; in 2020, women comprised about 10% of the full-time professional military force
Military - note: Estonia officially became a member of NATO in 2004
 since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative NATO also has provided air protection for Estonia since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on 4-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft have been hosted at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base since 2014since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiativeNATO also has provided air protection for Estonia since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on 4-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft have been hosted at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base since 2014

Topic: 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 RussiaRussia 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 71,873 (mid-year 2021); note - following independence in 1991, automatic citizenship was restricted to those who were Estonian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants; thousands of ethnic Russians remained stateless when forced to choose between passing Estonian language and citizenship tests or applying for Russian citizenship; one reason for demurring on Estonian citizenship was to retain the right of visa-free travel to Russia; stateless residents can vote in local elections but not general elections; stateless parents who have been lawful residents of Estonia for at least five years can apply for citizenship for their children before they turn 15 years old
Illicit drugs: producer of synthetic drugs; important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy


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Topic: Photos of Canada

Topic: Introduction
Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references: North America
Area: total: 9,984,670 sq km

land: 9,093,507 sq km

water: 891,163 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than the US
Land boundaries: total: 8,891 km

border countries (1): US 8,891 km (includes 2,475 km with Alaska)

note: Canada is the world's largest country that borders only one country
Coastline: 202,080 km

note: the Canadian Arctic Archipelago - consisting of 36,563 islands, several of them some of the world's largest - contributes to Canada easily having the longest coastline in the world
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast
Elevation: highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

lowest point: Atlantic/Pacific/Arctic Oceans 0 m

mean elevation: 487 m
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 6.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 4.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 34.1% (2018 est.)

other: 59.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 8,700 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Huron* - 35,972 sq km; Great Bear Lake - 31,328 sq km; Superior* - 28,754 sq km; Great Slave Lake - 28,568 sq km; Lake Winnipeg - 24,387 sq km; Erie* - 12,776 sq km; Ontario* - 9,790 sq km; Lake Athabasca - 7,935 sq km; Reindeer Lake - 6,650 sq km; Nettilling Lake - 5,542 sq km
note - Great Lakes* area shown as Canadian waters
Major rivers (by length in km): Mackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of Mexico) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km)
Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km)
note - watersheds shared with the US shown with *
Major aquifers: Northern Great Plains Aquifer
Population distribution: vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia
Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountainsvolcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormantcontinuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountainsvolcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant
Geography - note: note 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border note 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combinednote 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US bordernote 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combined

Topic: People and Society
Population: 38,232,593 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Canadian(s)

adjective: Canadian
Ethnic groups: Canadian 32.3%, English 18.3%, Scottish 13.9%, French 13.6%, Irish 13.4%, German 9.6%, Chinese 5.1%, Italian 4.6%, North American Indian 4.4%, East Indian 4%, Ukrainian 3.9%, other 47.7% (2016 est.)

note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin
Languages: English (official) 58.7%, French (official) 22%, Punjabi 1.4%, Italian 1.3%, Spanish 1.3%, German 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, Tagalog 1.2%, Arabic 1.1%, other 10.5% (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)

The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
Religions: Catholic 39% (includes Roman Catholic 38.8%, other Catholic .2%), Protestant 20.3% (includes United Church 6.1%, Anglican 5%, Baptist 1.9%, Lutheran 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.5%, Presbyterian 1.4%, other Protestant 2.9%), Orthodox 1.6%, other Christian 6.3%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 1.5%, Sikh 1.4%, Buddhist 1.1%, Jewish 1%, other 0.6%, none 23.9% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.99% (male 3,094,008/female 2,931,953)

15-24 years: 11.14% (male 2,167,013/female 2,032,064)

25-54 years: 39.81% (male 7,527,554/female 7,478,737)

55-64 years: 14.08% (male 2,624,474/female 2,682,858)

65 years and over: 18.98% (male 3,274,298/female 3,881,126) (2020 est.)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 51.2

youth dependency ratio: 23.9

elderly dependency ratio: 27.4

potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 41.8 years

male: 40.6 years

female: 42.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.75% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.17 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia
Urbanization: urban population: 81.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 6.313 million Toronto, 4.277 million Montreal, 2.632 million Vancouver, 1.611 million Calgary, 1.519 million Edmonton, 1.423 million OTTAWA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.4 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.8 years

male: 81.52 years

female: 86.21 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.3% of population

rural: 99.1% of population

total: 99.2% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population

rural: 0.9% of population

total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 10.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density: 2.5 beds/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.1% of population

rural: 98.9% of population

total: 99% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population

rural: 1.1% of population

total: 1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 29.4% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2011)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.2%

male: 20.9%

female: 19.4% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting agricultural and forest productivity; air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 6.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 544.89 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 101.82 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Land use: agricultural land: 6.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 4.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 34.1% (2018 est.)

other: 59.1% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 81.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 25,103,034 tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,168,715 tons (2008 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20.6% (2008 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Huron* - 35,972 sq km; Great Bear Lake - 31,328 sq km; Superior* - 28,754 sq km; Great Slave Lake - 28,568 sq km; Lake Winnipeg - 24,387 sq km; Erie* - 12,776 sq km; Ontario* - 9,790 sq km; Lake Athabasca - 7,935 sq km; Reindeer Lake - 6,650 sq km; Nettilling Lake - 5,542 sq km
note - Great Lakes* area shown as Canadian waters
Major rivers (by length in km): Mackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of Mexico) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km)
Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km)
note - watersheds shared with the US shown with *
Major aquifers: Northern Great Plains Aquifer
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 4.888 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 28.07 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 2.639 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 2.902 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Canada

etymology: the country name likely derives from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village or settlement
Government type: federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution
Capital: name: Ottawa

geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

time zone note: Canada has six time zones

etymology: the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word "adawe" meaning "to trade" and refers to the indigenous peoples who used the river as a trade highway
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon*
Independence: 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster)
National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Constitution: history: consists of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982

amendments: proposed by either house of Parliament or by the provincial legislative assemblies; there are 5 methods for passage though most require approval by both houses of Parliament, approval of at least two thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies and assent and formalization as a proclamation by the governor general in council; the most restrictive method is reserved for amendments affecting fundamental sections of the constitution, such as the office of the monarch or the governor general, and the constitutional amendment procedures, which require unanimous approval by both houses and by all the provincial assemblies, and assent of the governor general in council; amended 11 times, last in 2011 (Fair Representation Act, 2011)
Legal system: common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 6 July 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU (Liberal Party) (since 4 November 2015)

cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general

note: the governor general position is largely ceremonial
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of:
Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and can serve until age 75)
House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (338 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote with terms up to 4 years)

elections: Senate - appointed; latest appointments in July 2021
House of Commons - last held on 20 September 2021 (next to be held on or before 20 October 2025)

election results:
Senate - composition as of March 2022 - men 47, women 45, percent of women 48.9%

House of Commons - percent of vote by party - CPC 33.7%, Liberal Party 32.6%, NDP 17.8%, Bloc Quebecois 7.7%, Greens 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 159, CPC 119, NDP 25, Bloc Quebecois 32, Greens 2, independent 1; composition - men 235, women 103, percent of women 30.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 34.4%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges); note - in 1949, Canada abolished all appeals beyond its Supreme Court, which prior to that time, were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75

subordinate courts: federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts; note -  in 1999, the Nunavut Court - a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court - was established to serve isolated settlements
Political parties and leaders: Bloc Quebecois [Yves-Francois BLANCHET]
Conservative Party of Canada or CPC [Candice BERGEN (interim)]
Green Party [Amita KUTTNER (interim)]
Liberal Party [Justin TRUDEAU]
New Democratic Party or NDP [Jagmeet SINGH]
People's Party of Canada [Maxime BERNIER]
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kirsten HILLMAN (since 17 July 2020)

chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

telephone: [1] (844) 880-6519

FAX: [1] (202) 682-7738

email address and website:
ccs.scc@international.gc.ca

https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/washington.aspx?lang=eng

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Seattle

trade office(s): Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David COHEN (since December 2021)

embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8

mailing address: 5480 Ottawa Place, Washington DC  20521-5480

telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335

FAX: [1] (613) 241-7845

email address and website:
OttawaNIV@state.gov

https://ca.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver

consulate(s): Winnipeg
Flag description: two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the maple leaf has long been a Canadian symbol
National symbol(s): maple leaf, beaver; national colors: red, white
National anthem: name: O Canada

lyrics/music: Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE

note: adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, "O Canada" served as an unofficial anthem many years before its official adoption; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; as a Commonwealth realm, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 20 (9 cultural, 10 natural, 1 mixed) (2021)

selected World Heritage Site locales: L'Anse aux Meadows (c), Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (n), Dinosaur Provincial Park (n), Historic District of Old Quebec (c), Old Town Lunenburg (c), Wood Buffalo National Park (n), Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (c), Gros Morne National Park (n)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer.TThe 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship, with goods and services trade totaling more than $680 billion in 2017, and two-way investment stocks of more than $800 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s merchandise exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports.Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Canada’s economy posted strong growth in 2017 at 3%, but most analysts are projecting Canada’s economic growth will drop back closer to 2% in 2018.Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer.TThe 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship, with goods and services trade totaling more than $680 billion in 2017, and two-way investment stocks of more than $800 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s merchandise exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports.Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Canada’s economy posted strong growth in 2017 at 3%, but most analysts are projecting Canada’s economic growth will drop back closer to 2% in 2018.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,742,790,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,842,330,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,808,660,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.66% (2019 est.)

2.02% (2018 est.)

3.17% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $45,900 (2020 est.)

$49,000 (2019 est.)

$48,800 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1,741,865,000,000 (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2019 est.)

2.2% (2018 est.)

1.5% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA+ (2020)

Moody's rating: Aaa (2002)

Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2002)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 28.2% (2017 est.)

services: 70.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 57.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 20.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 30.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -33.2% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, rapeseed, maize, barley, milk, soybeans, potatoes, oats, peas, pork
Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum, natural gas
Industrial production growth rate: 4.9% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 18.136 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2%

industry: 13%

services: 6%

industry and services: 76%

manufacturing: 3% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.67% (2019 est.)

5.83% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.2%

male: 20.9%

female: 19.4% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 9.4% (2008 est.)

note: this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off, a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.3 (2017 est.)

31.5 (1994)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2000)
Budget: revenues: 649.6 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 665.7 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 89.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

91.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: figures are for gross general government debt, as opposed to net federal debt; gross general government debt includes both intragovernmental debt and the debt of public entities at the sub-national level
Taxes and other revenues: 39.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: -$35.425 billion (2019 est.)

-$42.862 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $477.31 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

$555.83 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

$556.89 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Exports - partners: US 73% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, gold, refined petroleum, natural gas (2019)
Imports: $510.29 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

$583.6 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

$589.55 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Imports - partners: US 57%, China 11%, Mexico 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, delivery trucks, crude petroleum, refined petroleum (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $86.68 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$82.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $2,124,887,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,949,796,000,000 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar -

1.28035 (2020 est.)

1.3228 (2019 est.)

1.32925 (2018 est.)

1.2788 (2014 est.)

1.0298 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 649.6 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 522.2 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 73.35 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 2.682 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 143.5 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 23% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 56% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 12% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 4.264 million bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 2.818 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 806,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 170.5 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 2.009 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 2.445 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 1.115 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 405,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production: 159.1 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 124.4 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 83.96 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 26.36 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 2.056 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 13.926 million (2020)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36.9 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 36,093,021 (2020)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95.63 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Canada has highly developed, technologically advanced telecom services; LTE and broadband are nearly universal; competition between the DSL and cable platforms with investment in fiber networks; regulatory efforts ensure operators have spectrum available to develop 5G services; policy to improve service speeds and enable digital economy and e-services; operator’s 5G network facilitates smart-city vehicle and pedestrian traffic; high value in e-commerce transactions; international connections through submarine, terrestrial, and satellite systems; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)

domestic: Nearly 37 per 100 fixed-line and 96 per 100 mobile-cellular teledensity; domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations (2020)

international: country code - 1; landing points for the Nunavut Undersea Fiber Optic Network System, Greenland Connect, Persona, GTT Atlantic, and Express, KetchCan 1 Submarine Fiber Cable system, St Pierre and Miquelon Cable submarine cables providing links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: 2 public TV broadcasting networks, 1 in English and 1 in French, each with a large number of network affiliates; several private-commercial networks also with multiple network affiliates; overall, about 150 TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable systems provide access to a wide range of stations including US stations; mix of public and commercial radio broadcasters with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the public radio broadcaster, operating 4 radio networks, Radio Canada International, and radio services to indigenous populations in the north; roughly 1,119 licensed radio stations (2016)
Internet country code: .ca
Internet users: total: 36.89 million (2022 est.)

percent of population: 96.5% (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 15,825,813 Retail high-speed Internet access subs (2021)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41.93 (2021)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 51 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 879

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 89.38 million (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3,434,070,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: C
Airports: total: 1,467 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 523

over 3,047 m: 21

2,438 to 3,047 m: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 147

914 to 1,523 m: 257

under 914 m: 79 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 944

1,524 to 2,437 m: 75

914 to 1,523 m: 385

under 914 m: 484 (2021)
Heliports: 26 (2021)
Pipelines: 840,000 km oil and gas  (2017)
Railways: total: 77,932 km note: 129 km electrified (2021) (2014)

standard gauge: 77,932 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)
Roadways: total: 1,042,300 km (2011)

paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) (2011)

unpaved: 626,700 km (2011)
Waterways: 636 km (Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States) (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 679

by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 1, general cargo 66, oil tanker 15, other 575 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Halifax, Saint John (New Brunswick), Vancouver

oil terminal(s): Lower Lakes terminal

container port(s) (TEUs): Montreal (1,745,244), Vancouver (3,398,860) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Saint John

river and lake port(s): Montreal, Quebec City, Sept-Isles (St. Lawrence)

dry bulk cargo port(s): Port-Cartier (iron ore and grain),

Fraser River Port (Fraser) Hamilton (Lake Ontario)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Canadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command; Primary Reserve (army, air, naval reserves); Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) (2021)

note - the Army reserves include the Canadian Rangers, which provides a limited presence in Canada's northern, coastal, and isolated areas for sovereignty, public safety, and surveillance roles
Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.4% of GDP (2020)

1.3% of GDP (approximately $26 billion) (2019)

1.3% of GDP (approximately $25.7 billion) (2018)

1.4% of GDP (approximately $27.6 billion) (2017)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 70,000 total active personnel (23,000 Army; 12,000 Navy; 12,000 Air Force; 23,000 other) (2021)

note - the Army also has 19,000 part-time, volunteer soldiers in the Reserve Force, including about 5,500 Rangers
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the CAF's inventory is a mix of domestically-produced equipment and imported weapons systems from Australia, Europe, Israel, and the US; since 2010, the leading supplier is the US; Canada's defense industry develops, maintains, and produces a range of equipment, including aircraft, combat vehicles, naval vessels, and associated components (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary male and female military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for Reserve and Military College applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2021)

note(s) - Canada opened up all military occupations to women in 2001; in 2020, women comprised about 16% of the CAF
Military deployments: the CAF has approximately 2,000 personnel deployed on more than 20 different operations around the world, including up to 575 in Latvia (NATO) and up to 850 in the Middle East (multiple missions, including support to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and NATO assistance mission Iraq) (2022)

note - NATO troop deployment numbers in eastern Europe are as of February 2022; in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Military - note: Canada is a member of NATO and was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 Canada is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD; established 1958); NORAD is a Canada-US bi-national military command responsible for monitoring and defending North American airspace; traditionally, a Canadian Armed Forces officer has served as the deputy commander of NORAD Canada’s defense relationship with the US extends back to the Ogdensburg Declaration of 1940, when the two countries formally agreed on military cooperation, including the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), which continued to be the highest-level bilateral defense forum between Canada and the US as of 2021 British troops withdrew from Canada in 1871 as part of the UK-US Treaty of Washington; following the withdrawal, the first Canadian militia, known as the Royal Canadian Regiment, was organized in 1883 to protect Canadian territory and defend British interests abroad, which it did in the South African War (1899-1902), Canada’s first overseas conflict; militia units formed the backbone of the more than 425,000 Canadian soldiers that went to Europe during World War I in what was called the Canadian Expeditionary Force; the Royal Canadian Navy was created in 1910, while the Canadian Air Force was established in 1920 and became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924; the Canadian Army was officially founded in 1942; a unified Canadian Armed Forces was created in 1968Canada is a member of NATO and was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949Canada is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD; established 1958); NORAD is a Canada-US bi-national military command responsible for monitoring and defending North American airspace; traditionally, a Canadian Armed Forces officer has served as the deputy commander of NORADCanada’s defense relationship with the US extends back to the Ogdensburg Declaration of 1940, when the two countries formally agreed on military cooperation, including the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), which continued to be the highest-level bilateral defense forum between Canada and the US as of 2021British troops withdrew from Canada in 1871 as part of the UK-US Treaty of Washington; following the withdrawal, the first Canadian militia, known as the Royal Canadian Regiment, was organized in 1883 to protect Canadian territory and defend British interests abroad, which it did in the South African War (1899-1902), Canada’s first overseas conflict; militia units formed the backbone of the more than 425,000 Canadian soldiers that went to Europe during World War I in what was called the Canadian Expeditionary Force; the Royal Canadian Navy was created in 1910, while the Canadian Air Force was established in 1920 and became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924; the Canadian Army was officially founded in 1942; a unified Canadian Armed Forces was created in 1968

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine, including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nm from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the UN Convention on the Law of the Seamanaged maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine, including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nm from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 22,400 (Venezuela) (refugees and migrants) (2020); 9,883 (Nigeria), 7,571 (Turkey), 7,385 (Iran), 6,965 (Pakistan), 6,287 (China), 5,244 (Colombia) (mid-year 2021)

stateless persons: 3,823 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: illicit production of fentanyl primarily for Canada's domestic drug market with at least small quantities smuggled to the US; complex laboratories setup for fentanyl production have been found and Mexican traffickers present in the country; Canada legalized marijuana in 2018


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines due to COVID-19. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required.  A visa is not required.
US Embassy/Consulate: US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines +(246) 227-4399; EMER: +(246) 227-4000; US Embassy Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.; BridgetownACS@state.gov;

https://bb.usembassy.gov
Telephone Code: 784
Local Emergency Phone: 999, 911
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Currency (Code): East Caribbean dollars (XCD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 110 V, 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, G

Major Languages: English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois
Major Religions: Protestant 75%, Roman Catholic 6.3%,  Rastafarian 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%
Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Tobago Cays; Montreal Gardens; La Soufriere cross country trail; Firefly Plantation in Bequia; Botanical Gardens in Kingstown; Dark View Falls; Vermont Natural Trail; Fort Duvernette; Bequia Beach; Union Beach
Major Sports: Rugby, cricket, soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball, tennis
Cultural Practices: Avoid cursing or using foul language as it is considered a criminal offense.
Tipping Guidelines: A service charge of 10% is usually added to a restaurant or hotel bill, but if not, leave at least 10-15% depending on your satisfaction with the service. Tip taxi drivers 10%, bellhops $2 (USD) per bag, and housekeeping $2 per night.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022