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Country information - Greece The Ottomans ruled Greece until the early 19th century. In 1821, the Greeks rebelled and declared their independence, but did not succeed in winning it until 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 I, Greece sided with the entente powers against the Ottoman Empire and the other Central Powers. In the war's aftermath, the Great Powers awarded a small part of Asia Minor to Greece, centered around the city of Smyrna (known as Izmir today) which had a large Greek population. During the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) the Turks eventually defeated the Greek armies and regained control of Asia Minor. Soon afterwards, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, fixing the borders to this date. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44). Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join 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. Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001. The 2004 Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens, returning them to Greece for the first time since their modern inception in 1896. Geography Greece Location Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Area total: 131,940 sq km Land 130,800 sq km Water 1,140 sq km Land boundaries total: 1,228 km Border countries Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km Coastline 13,676 km Climate temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Terrain mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Elevation extremes lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point Mount Olympus 2,917 m Natural resources lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential Land use arable land: 21.1% Natural hazards severe earthquakes People Greece Population 10,668,354 Nationality noun: Greek(s) Adjective Greek Ethnic groups Greek 98%, other 2% Religions Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Languages Greek 99% (official), English, French Government Greece Country name conventional long form: Hellenic Republic Conventional short form Greece Local long form Elliniki Dhimokratia Local short form Ellas or Ellada Former Kingdom of Greece Government type parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974 Capital Athens Administrative divisions 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos); Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos and 1 autonomous region; Agion Oros (Mt. Athos). Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Constitution 11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 Legal system based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch chief of state: President Karolos Papoulias (since 12 March 2005) Head of government Prime Minister Konstandinos Karamanlis (since 7 March 2004) Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister Elections president elected by parliament for a five-year term; election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by March 2008) Judicial branch Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Flag description nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Economy Greece Greece has a high standard of living. The Country has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about half of GDP. Tourism has great importance, providing a large portion of GDP and foreign exchange earnings. Greece also counts as a world leader in shipping. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the past three years, largely because of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Labor force 4.72 million Labor force - by occupation agriculture 12%, industry 20%, services 68% Unemployment rate 10.8% Population below poverty line NA Household income by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%, highest 10%: 28.3% Agriculture - products wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products Industries tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Currency (code) euro (EUR) Transportation Greece Airports 80 Airports - with paved runways total: 67 Airports - with unpaved runways total: 15 Heliports 8 Pipelines gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km Railways total: 2,571 km (764 km electrified) Roadways total: 116,470 km Paved 106,920 km (including 880 km of expressways) Unpaved 9,550 km Waterways 6 km Ports and terminals Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Irakleion, Pachi, Peiraiefs, Thessaloniki

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