Greece

Full name of country: Hellenic Republic

Region: Europe

Official language: Greek

Population: 10,461,091 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Greek(s) (noun), Greek (adjective)

Land area: 130,647 sq km (50,443 sq miles)

Water area: 1,310 sq km (506 sq miles)

Capital: Athens

National anthem: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty), by Dionysios Solomos/Nikolaos Mantzaros

National holiday: Independence Day, March 25 (1821)

Population growth: -0.35% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +2

Flag: The flag of Greece features nine horizontal stripes of equal size that alternate between blue and white, with the top and bottom stripes being blue. In the upper-hoist (upper-left) side is a white cross set against a blue square. Although there is no official significance to the nine stripes, some think they represent the nine letters that make up the Greek word for “freedom,” and others contend they represent the Nine Muses from Greek mythology. The cross represents the Greek Orthodox Church.

Motto: “Eleftheria i Thanatos” (Freedom or Death)

Independence: 1830 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Government type: parliamentary republic

Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and compulsory

Legal system: civil legal system based on Roman law

Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula of southern Europe. It also contains two large groups of islands. In the west, the Ionian Islands include Corfu, Cephalonia, and Lefkas. In the east and south, the Aegean Islands include Euboea, Samos, Chios, Lesbos, and Crete. Greece borders Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Macedonia.

Throughout history, classical Greek culture has had a profound influence on the rest of the world, so much so that Greece is widely considered one of the cradles of Western civilization. The country also remains a viable regional power in southeastern Europe; it joined the European Union (EU) in 1981 and the Eurozone, which required the country to adopt the euro as currency, in 2001. Citizens of Greece are known as Greeks. However, some Greeks prefer to be called Hellenes, and refer to their country as the Hellenic Republic, or Hellas, after the mythological figure Hellen.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: The population in Greece is largely homogenous—about 91.6 percent of the population was of Greek citizenship while 4.4 percent were Albanian and 4 percent were other foreign citizens in 2011 (the Greek government does not collect data on ethnicity). However, immigration and arrivals of large numbers of refugees starting in the 2000s has led to demographic shifts in the country's population.

Modern Greek, a language thousands of years old and descended from Ancient Greek, is the official language in Greece, and is spoken by 99 percent of the population. The modern spoken language is called dimotiki. English and French are also spoken as a second language by many people in Greece.

The primary and official religion in Greece is the Greek Orthodox Church. However, the country promises religious liberty to its citizens, and proselytizing is forbidden by the constitution. The majority of Greeks (81–90 percent) are Greek Orthodox. Approximately 2 percent of the Greek population is Muslim (2015 estimates).

Most Greeks (80.7 percent) lived in urban areas in 2023. Athens, the capital, had a population of 3.154 million in 2023 and is the cultural and political center of Greece. Thessaloniki is another densely populated city located in the northern part of the country. Other important cities in Greece include Patra, Kalamata, Volos, Ioannina, Kavala, Sparta, and Alexandroupolis.

Indigenous People: Archeologists speculate that people from Asia Minor began settling in Greece around 2000 BCE. Greek culture grew remarkably sophisticated, and reached a high point in the fifth century BCE. During this period, Greeks became internationally famous for their prominent poets, philosophers, and historians, and made important contributions to science. They were also the first group of people to experiment with democracy. Many different ethnic groups, including the Minoans, Mycenaeans, Macedonians, and Phoenicians have influenced Greece during its long history.

Education: Most Greek children begin their formal schooling at the age of six. The first nine years of public education are funded by the central government. The literacy rate in Greece is 97.9 percent (2018 estimate).

Primary education (dimotiko) lasts for six years. At this point, students move onto secondary schools. Secondary education includes two stages of training. The first three years consist of the lower secondary stage of study (gymnasio) when students are between the ages of twelve and fifteen. The second three years prepare students for college or other technical vocations. These programs are called lykeios and tees.

Students usually begin university study at the age of eighteen. University attendance, including books, is publicly funded, but students must meet strict standards and other criteria. A student's scores on state-administered tests, as well as his or her grade-point average and choice of major, are all considered when applying for university study. Universities are therefore very competitive. The country's major universities are in Athens, Salonika, Thrace, Ioannina, Crete, and Patras.

In 2007, Greece passed a law that set a ten-year deadline on getting a first degree. Greece's university system was reformed in 2011, but challenges have remained, especially given the national economic crisis, which started in 2009. In 2012, Greece had the highest gross tertiary education enrollment of all countries surveyed that year by the World Bank. By 2018, first-time university graduation rates reached 94 percent.

Health Care: The government devotes approximately 9.5 percent of Greece's gross domestic product (GDP) to health care (2020). Since the 1990s, the government has attempted to build more hospitals and in general improve all medical facilities and provide advanced training for medical workers.

The National Health System was introduced in 1983, and provides medical coverage including hospitalization, maternity care, dental coverage, and other medical benefits for Greek citizens. However, the system has suffered from lack of funds and resources. Greece ranked thirty-third on the 2021 United Nations Human Development Index.

In Greece, children under one year of age are immunized against measles, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Life expectancy in Greece is 81.9 years (2024 estimate). Air quality in Greece has been a major issue, and has been known to cause health problems.

Food: Influenced by Turkey, the Middle East, and the Balkans, Greek cuisine is a blend of fresh vegetables, seafood, and marinated meats. Common spices used include garlic, oregano, mint, basil, and dill. Cheese, particularly feta, is often served with salads and bread. Lamb is the most commonly prepared meat, though pork, beef and chicken are also used. Common sauces include avgolemono (an egg-lemon sauce) or tomato-based sauces.

The Turkish-derived tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt dip) is a popular appetizer. Spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie) is another common dish. Due to Greece's proximity to the sea, fish and shellfish are popular menu items. Olive oil is used generously. Desserts, such as Greece’s well-known baklava, are often served in the late afternoon with coffee.

Arts & Entertainment: The two major cultural centers in Greece are Athens and Thessaloniki. Some of the famous theaters in Athens include the Athens Concert Hall, the Dora Stratou Theater, the Lycabettus Hill Theater, the Olympia Theatre, and the Pallas Theatre. The Acropolis Museum and the Athens Municipal Gallery are two of the many museums in the city. Athens is also well known for its vibrant night life.

Greece has a rich cultural legacy that spans thousands of years, particularly in art, literature, architecture, drama, politics, and philosophy. Greek literary contributions range from the classical poetry of Homer to twentieth-century Nobel Prize–winning poets Giorgios Seferis (1900–71) and Odysseus Elytis (1911–96).

There are also many important archeological sites throughout Greece. In Athens, the Agora is an ancient marketplace, where it is said that Socrates used to teach. The Acropolis of Athens and the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (also called the Olympeion) are among the country's most significant sites. These sites are cherished by Greeks, as they preserve the country's classical culture.

During the nineteenth century, Greece experienced a musical rebirth, and several important composers emerged on the national scene. Opera composers Nikolaos Mantzaros (1795–1872), Spyridion Xyndas (1812–96), and Spyros Samaras (1861–1917) became very well known for their scores. The most famous composer of the twentieth century is Mikis Theodorakis (b. 1925), who was very vocal against the military leadership of Greece in the 1960s and 1970s.

Holidays: There are many festivals held throughout the year in Greece, including the Athens Festival (June to October), the Lycabettus Festival (May to September) and the Nauplia International Music Festival (June).

Public holidays include the Feast of the Assumption (August 15), St. Stephen's Day (January 6), Ohi Day (May 1) Spring Festival/Labour Day (February), New Year's Day (January 1), Greek Independence Day (March 25), and Orthodox Easter Sunday, in March or April.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Greece is situated on the southern Balkan Peninsula in southern Europe. It is located between the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The mainland is dominated by the peripheries (administrative regions) of Thrace and Macedonia in the north; Epirus and Thessaly and Central Greece in the center of the country; and the Peloponnese peninsula in the south.

One-fifth of Greece is made up of islands, and almost all parts of Greece are close to the sea. Greece includes about 2,000 islands, the largest of which are Crete, Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes, Khios, Kefallonia, Corfu, Limnos, Samos and Naxos. Greece has 13,676 kilometers (8,498 miles) of coastline.

The vast majority of Greece is mountainous. The famous Mount Olympus is the highest point of elevation in the country, at 2,917 meters (9570 feet). Prominent mountain ranges include the Pindus; the Leflka Ori (or White Mountains), located in Crete; the Taiyetos, in the south; and Parnon in the east.

Greece has 1,310 square kilometers (about 506 square miles) of water area. Major rivers include the Mesta, Strimon, Arakhthos, Akheloos, Aliakmon, Pinios, and Alfios. Greece also borders several different seas including the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Natural Resources: Greece has many natural resources, including petroleum. Other natural resources are lignite, bauxite, iron ore, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, and hydropower potential. Most of Greece’s resources, however, are not very valuable to the economy.

Approximately 19.7 percent of Greece’s land is arable (2018 estimate). About 30.5 percent of Greece is forested (2018 estimate). Air and water pollution are the most serious environmental (and health) threats, especially in the dense metropolis of Athens.

Plants & Animals: Many different plants can be found in Greece. At lower elevation are oranges, olives, dates, almonds, pomegranates, figs, cotton, and tobacco. Common trees include myrtle, oleander, lentisk, plane, and white poplar, as well as the famous Greek cypress trees. Oak, chestnut, and beech trees are also found at the country's higher elevations.

Bears, wolves, jackals, foxes and polecats may be found in the mountains of Greece. In the north, there are populations of wild boar.

In 2023 BirdLife International reported that there were 346 species of birds in Greece, a large portion of which are migratory. These include golden and imperial eagles, yellow vultures, falcons, owls, bustards, partridges, woodcocks, snipes, wood pigeons, and turtle doves. A 2013 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identified 115 mammal species, sixty-four reptile species, and twenty-two amphibian species. In terms of aquatic life, there were dolphins and whales, 162 freshwater fish species, and 476 marine fish species.

Climate: The climate varies in Greece, but in general the country experiences mild winters and hot, dry summers. Weather is subject to rapid changes, and people have been known to experience several different seasons in one day in the mountainous regions.

The greatest amount of rainfall occurs in the Ionian Islands. Snow falls primarily in the mountains during the winter, but rarely in the maritime regions.

Economy

Greece's public sector provides about half of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). In 2023, the GDP was estimated at US$375.78 billion, and the per capita GDP was estimated at US$36,300.

Services, such as tourism and hospitality, dominate the economy, although industry and agriculture remain important sectors. Greece had an estimated unemployment rate of 11 percent in 2023.

In 2023, Greek exports totaled an estimated $106.65 billion. Export products included petroleum products, medicines, aluminum plating, cotton, cheese, and copper piping. Greece's major trading partners in 2019 included Germany, Italy, Turkey, Iraq, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, China, South Korea, Lebanon, and the Netherlands.

The Greek economy faced serious crises in the 2010s. In April 2010, Greece faced a national economic emergency related to its high level of national debt. After regulatory agencies downgraded the status of the country's debt rating to "junk," meaning that it was unlikely Greece could pay back it back, Greek leaders and economic analysts feared a nationwide economic collapse. The Greek government began to negotiate for a bailout package, stating that a collapse of the Greek economy would have serious consequences for the EU and the global economy. Later in the month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the EU agreed to a financial bailout for Greece, valued at over US$147 billion in short- and medium-term loans.

In October 2011, the IMF and EU leaders approved a second bailout package worth US$169 billion in exchange for Greece's promise to institute further austerity measures worth US$7.8 billion between 2013 and 2015. This bailout package hurt Greek banks, which held a large portion of Greece's sovereign debt, which they were forced to write down. It also lengthened the duration of Greece's recession.

Greece's economy improved by the end of 2013, and Prime Minister Antonios Samaras announced that Greece planned to leave the bailout program. Samaras's announcement did not please investors, however, and the subsequent downturn in Greece's stock and debt markets pushed Greece to reenter negotiations with its creditors. Greece eventually agreed to extend the EU portion of its bailout through February 2015. While Greece posted a positive annual growth rate of 0.8 percent for 2014, Greek voters expressed their discontent with austerity measures by voting in anti-austerity politicians in the January 2015 elections. Greece and its creditors tentatively agreed to the terms of a third bailout in February 2015; negotiations and plans were made to end the program and Greece's overall reliance on financial assistance in the summer of 2018, as the country's economy was showing some signs of recovery. The economy continued to recover until 2020, when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the country back into recession. In 2021, Greece received further financial assistance via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0, which was adopted by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Union. By 2023, Greece's economy had rebounded from recession.

Industry: Greece's major industries include tourism, the production of food, tobacco, textiles, chemicals, and metal products. The petroleum industry is also very important to the economy. Technology and telecommunications are two of the country's newer, expanding industries. Due to its geographic location, shipping has always been an important industrial sector in Greece.

Agriculture: Agriculture comprises 3.8 percent of Greece's GDP (2023 est.), and is an important resource for the country. Greek crops feed over half the population and supply many important exports.

Wheat is the primary crop. Other major agricultural products include sugar beets, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, olives, barley, wine, and tobacco, beef and dairy products. Greece is also one of the world’s major sources of olive oil and raisins.

Greek agriculture faces several natural, environmental, and financial challenges, including drought, soil erosion, and lack of investment. Its contribution to the GDP has been steadily declining since the 1950s. The federal government has sought to address these issues by providing tax exemption for some agricultural income as well as generous tax credits to farmers.

Tourism: Tourism is a major source of revenue for Greece. The country's tourist sector suffered severely in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while it has recovered, it still has not surpassed 2019 levels. Travel and tourism contributed approximately 37.8 billion euros to the country's GDP in 2022, compared to 40.8 billion euros in 2019.

Visitors are welcomed in Greece, though passports are required for travelers from outside the Schengen area. Some of the major tourist sites include the Parthenon, the site of the ancient oracle at Delphi, the Agora at Corinth, and the Minoan ruins on Crete.

Government

Greece became a parliamentary republic when the monarchy was removed in 1974. There is a constitution and the president is elected by parliament for a maximum of two five-year terms. However, if the candidate does not win a majority in parliament, a general election is called.

The president appoints the prime minister (the leader of the majority party or coalition in parliament), who then serves as the head of parliament. The Hellenic Parliament (Vouli ton Ellinon) is made up of 300 deputies who are directly elected to four year terms. The Supreme Civil and Criminal Court is one of the highest courts in Greece. The legal system is derived from the Roman model. In March 2020, the Hellenic Parliament elected Greece's first woman president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, an independent.

Major political parties in Greece are Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left), New Democracy (ND), To Potami (The River), the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Independent Greeks, and the Movement of Democratic Socialists. The far-right Golden Dawn Party, which was labeled by many as a neo-Nazi organization yet at one point was the third-most popular party in Greek parliament, was declared a criminal organization in 2020; many of its leaders were sent to prison for murder of political opponents and other crimes.

On the local level, the country is divided into thirteen administrative regions (perifereia) and one autonomous monastic state. These are broken up further into prefectures (nomoi). This decentralization of power provides districts with more direct control over local issues.

Interesting Facts

• In 2004, Greece spent $10 billion to hold the Olympic Games in Athens.
• In 2016, the Greek parliament approved a plan to build the first official mosque in Athens in at least 150 years.
• In 2019, underwater archaeologists discovered the remains of a large building at the location of the ancient Battle of Salamis dating from the fourth century BCE.

Bibliography

"Greece." Data Zone, BirdLife International, 2023, datazone.birdlife.org/country/greece. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.

"Greece." International Union for Conservation of Nature, 18 Dec. 2013, www.iucn.org/regions/europe/resources/country-focus/greece. Accessed 25 Aug. 2015.

"Greece." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 16 Oct. 2023, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greece/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

"Greece Economic Development Snapshot." Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, December 2021, www.oecd.org/economy/greece-economic-snapshot/. Accessed 1 June 2022.

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports, United Nations Human Development Programme, 2023, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

"Total Contribution of Travel and Tourism to GDP in Greece in 2019 and 2022." Statista, May 2023, www.statista.com/statistics/644573/travel-tourism-total-gdp-contribution-greece/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.