Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman
Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and
the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added
neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking
populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy
(1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting
endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king
and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949,
Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in
1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to
flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic
elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and
abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now the EU);
it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
Location:
Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea,
Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and
Turkey.
Area:
131,940 sq km
Border countries:
Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206
km, Macedonia 246 km
Climate:
temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry
summers
Geography:
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea
and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country,
possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands
Population:
10,688,058
Nationality:
Greek(s)
Ethnic groups:
Greek 98%, Turkish and other 2%
Religions:
Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Languages:
Greek 99% (official), English, French
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
Athens
Time zone:
GMT/UTC +02:00
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
Currency:
euro (EUR)
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use: 6.303
million, Telephone system: adequate, modern networks reach all
areas; good mobile telephone and international service
Transportation:
Airports: 82, Railways: 2,571 km, Roadways:
114,931 km, Waterways: 6 km