Estonia Joins the Euro Zone

Estonia - 1 January 2011 is after it's independence day in 1991 and the entry into the European Union in 2004 most probably the most important date in the history of this small Northern European country. This day the marks the country's entry into the Euro Zone and will introduce and participate in the European monetary system and currency - The Euro.

To mark the event at midnight two spectacular fireworks were displayed over the brand new European Capital of Culture. Fireworks were shot from the roof of Solaris centre across the Estonia Opera house and the second over the Bay of Tallinn.

Estonia also known as Estland and Eesti Vabariik has been ruled over the centuries by Danish, Swedish, German and Russian occupation. In 1940 it was incorporated in the USSR. And it regained the independence from Russia in 1991 after the Sovjet Union collapsed. Once the last Russian troops left the country in 1994 it was ready to bond and strengthen the ties with the western world.

Estonia joined the NATO and the EU in 2004. The country is located at the Baltic Sea and sandwiched between Latvia and Russia. Just of the Estonian coast 1500 islands lay peacefully in the Baltic Sea.

1 January 2011 also marks the day that Estonia's capital Tallinn becomes European Cultural Capital of 2011. The City is located at the northern coastline and because of it historical occupants from Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Russia the city is rich in historical value.