What countries border Greece?
What is the current weather in Greece?
What is Greece famous for?
What is the capital of Greece?
Capital | Athens |
Government Type | parliamentary republic |
Currency | Euro (EUR) |
Total Area |
50,949 Square Miles 131,957 Square Kilometers |
Location | Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey |
Language | Greek (official) 99%, |
GDP - real growth rate | -2.3% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $25,600.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Greece?
Ethnic Group - note | note: data represent citizenship; Greece does not collect data on ethnicity |
Ethnic Groups | Greek 91.6%, Albanian 4.4%, other 4% |
Languages | Greek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1% |
Nationality Noun |
noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek |
Population | 10,461,091 |
Population Growth Rate | -0.35% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | 3.154 million ATHENS (capital), 815,000 Thessaloniki |
Urban Population |
urban population: 80.7% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change |
Population: Male/Female |
male: 5,117,862 female: 5,343,229 |
What type of government does Greece have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Ekaterini SAKELLAROPOULOU (since 13 March 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS (since 26 June 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: president elected by Hellenic Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 January 2020 (next to be held by February 2025); president appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Hellenic Parliament election results: 2020: Katerina SAKELLAROPOULOU (independent) elected president by Parliament - 261 of 300 votes; note - SAKELLAROPOULOU is Greece's first woman president 2015: Prokopis PAVLOPOULOS (ND) elected president by Parliament - 233 of 300 votes |
Suffrage | 17 years of age; universal and compulsory |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Greece dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years |
National Holiday | Independence Day, 25 March (1821) |
Constitution |
history: many previous; latest entered into force 11 June 1975 amendments: proposed by at least 50 members of Parliament and agreed by three-fifths majority vote in two separate ballots at least 30 days apart; passage requires absolute majority vote by the next elected Parliament; entry into force finalized through a "special parliamentary resolution"; articles on human rights and freedoms and the form of government cannot be amended; amended 1986, 2001, 2008, 2019 |
Independence | 3 February 1830 (from the Ottoman Empire); note - 25 March 1821, outbreak of the national revolt against the Ottomans; 3 February 1830, signing of the London Protocol recognizing Greek independence by Great Britain, France, and Russia |
What environmental issues does Greece have?
Overview | Greece, a rugged country of mountains and islands. The land area, including the islands, is 50,270 square miles (about the size of Alabama). Only 25% of the land is arable, and much of that is dry and rocky. |
Climate |
Greece has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Athens daytime summer temperature averages 90°F and often exceeds 100°F for periods in July-August. Humidity is low and the heat is tempered by sea breezes. Summer evenings are comfortable outdoors. Spring and fall temperatures are pleasant, and winter temperatures are 30°-55°F. Snow flurries occur, particularly in the northern suburbs, but seldom accumulate. Air pollution is a major problem in Athens throughout the year, but the climate is otherwise healthy. Thessaloniki, in northern Greece, experiences high temperatures and humidity from the end of May until the end of September. Summer heat is sometimes tempered by late morning and early evening breezes. July and August nights can be uncomfortably warm. In winter, periods of mild, sunny, and spring-like weather are interspersed with uncomfortable cold periods. Thessaloniki has periods of chilly and damp weather, with considerable rainfall and occasional snow. Temperatures often fall below freezing in winter. Although snow does not linger, the city has been struck by blizzards. One feature of Thessaloniki’s climate is the vardari, a strong northwesterly wind that appears suddenly and irregularly from the area of the Axios (Vardar) River Valley. |
Border Countries | Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km |
Environment - Current Issues | air pollution; water pollution |
Environment - International Agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds |
Terrain | mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands |
How big is the Greece economy?
Economic Overview |
Greece's economy has shown signs of recovery and growth after a prolonged period of financial crisis that began in 2009. The crisis was characterized by high levels of public debt, a significant budget deficit, and structural weaknesses in the economy, leading to severe austerity measures and international bailouts. Key Points of Greece's Economy: Economic Growth: Greece has experienced moderate economic growth in recent years. The tourism sector, a vital part of the economy, has been a significant driver of this growth, alongside a resurgence in exports and increased foreign investment. Unemployment: Unemployment rates, which soared during the crisis, have been gradually declining but remain high compared to the European Union average. Youth unemployment is particularly concerning, although it has improved somewhat. Public Debt: Greece's public debt remains one of the highest in the world relative to its GDP. Debt relief measures and restructuring by the EU and IMF have provided some relief, but managing this debt continues to be a major challenge. Reforms and Austerity: The government has implemented numerous economic reforms and austerity measures aimed at stabilizing the economy. These include pension cuts, tax hikes, and privatizations, which have been necessary for securing international financial assistance but have also led to social and political unrest. Banking Sector: The Greek banking sector has undergone significant restructuring, with banks recapitalized and efforts made to address the high levels of non-performing loans. Confidence in the banking system is slowly being restored. Investment and Business Climate: Efforts to improve the business climate have been ongoing, with initiatives to reduce bureaucracy, enhance digital infrastructure, and attract foreign direct investment. These measures aim to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. Challenges and Outlook: Despite positive signs, challenges remain. These include the need for further structural reforms, reducing unemployment, managing public debt, and addressing social inequalities. The geopolitical situation in the region and global economic trends also impact Greece's economic outlook. |
Industries | tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum |
Currency Name and Code | Euro (EUR) |
Export Partners | Italy 9.5%, Turkey 7.9%, Germany 7.9%, Cyprus 6.1%, Bulgaria 5.5%, US 5.2% |
Import Partners | Germany 10.6%, Russia 9.4%, Italy 9.2%, China 5.7%, Netherlands 5.5%, France 5%, Iran 4.5% |
What current events are happening in Greece?
Source: Google News
What makes Greece a unique country to travel to?