Greece 12108 226063466 2008-07-16T17:43:27Z 3rdAlcove 4810601 {{sprotect|small=yes}} {{otheruses}} {{redirect|Hellas}} {{redirect|Grece|the ethnonationalist think-tank|GRECE}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> Ελληνική Δημοκρατία <br/>''Ellinikí Dimokratía''</span> |conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> Hellenic Republic </span> |common_name = Greece |image_flag = Flag of Greece.svg |image_coat = Coat of arms of Greece.svg |symbol_type = Coat of arms |image_coat_caption = Coat of arms |image_map = Location Greece EU Europe.png |map_caption = {{map_caption |location_color=dark green |region=[[Europe]] |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the [[European Union]] |subregion_color=light green |legend=Location Greece EU Europe.png}} |national_motto = {{lang|el|Ελευθερία ή θάνατος}}<br/>{{lang|el|''[[Eleftheria i thanatos]]''}}{{spaces|2}}<small>([[transliteration]])<br/>"Freedom or Death"</small><!--See http://www.culture.gr/4/42/421/42103/42103e/g42103e3.html and http://humanitas.filg.uj.edu.pl/files/terminus/artykuly/d9b23762d6da8f325e2b215ff5338d2b.pdf--> |national_anthem = Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν <br/>''Ýmnos eis tīn Eleutherían''<br/>[[Hymn to Liberty]]{{smallsup|1}} |official_languages = [[Greek language|Greek]] |demonym = [[Greeks|Greek]] |capital = [[Athens]] |latd=38 |latm=00 |latNS=N |longd=23 |longm=43 |longEW=E |largest_city = Athens |government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]] |leader_title1 = [[President of Greece|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Karolos Papoulias]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Greece|Prime Minister]] |leader_name2 = [[Kostas Karamanlis]] |leader_title3 = [[Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament|Speaker]] |leader_name3 = [[Dimitris Sioufas]] |sovereignty_type = Modern statehood |established_event1 = Independence from<br/>the [[Ottoman Empire]] |established_date1 = <br/>[[25 March]] [[1821]] |established_event2 = Recognized |established_date2 = [[3 February]] [[1830]], in the [[London Protocol]] |established_event3 = Current constitution |established_date3 = 1975, [[Constitutional history of Greece#The Third Hellenic Republic|"Third Republic"]] |accessionEUdate = [[January 1]] [[1981]] |EUseats = 24 |area_rank = 96<sup>th</sup> |area_magnitude = 1 E11 |area_km2 = 131,990 |area_sq_mi = 50,944 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |percent_water = 0.8669 |population_estimate = 11,216,708<ref name="Eurostat">[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=Yearlies_new_population&root=Yearlies_new_population/C/C1/C11/caa10000 Eurostat]</ref> |population_estimate_rank = 74<sup>th</sup> |population_estimate_year = 2008 |population_census = 10,964,020<ref name="2001census">National Statistical Service of Greece: Population census of March 18, 2001: [http://www.statistics.gr/gr_tables/S1101_SAP_09_TB_DC_01_01_Y.pdf ''Πίνακας 1. Πληθυσμός κατά φύλο και ηλικία'']</ref> |population_census_year = 2001 |population_density_km2 = 84 |population_density_sq_mi = 218 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 88<sup>th</sup> |GDP_PPP = [[International dollar|$]]342.886 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] <!--IMF--> |GDP_PPP_rank = 32<sup>nd</sup> |GDP_PPP_year = 2008 [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $30,745 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 30<sup>th</sup> |GDP_nominal = [[United States dollar|$]]361.577 billion |GDP_nominal_rank = 27<sup>th</sup> |GDP_nominal_year = 2008 [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $32,421 |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 27<sup>th</sup> |HDI = {{increase}} 0.926 |HDI_rank = 24<sup>th</sup> |HDI_year = 2005 |HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |Gini = 35.4<sup>2</sup> |Gini_year = 2000 |Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font> |currency = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])<sup>3</sup> |currency_code = EUR |country_code = |time_zone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset = +2 |time_zone_DST = [[EEST]] |utc_offset_DST = +3 |cctld = [[.gr]]<sup>4</sup> |calling_code = 30 |footnote1 = Also the national anthem of [[Cyprus]]. |footnote2 = UNU/Wider World Income Inequality Database. |footnote3 = Before 2001, the [[Drachma|Greek Drachma]]. |footnote4 = The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other [[European Union]] member states. }} '''Greece''' ({{lang-el|Ελλάδα, Elláda}}, {{IPA2|ɛˈlaða}}, or Ελλάς, ''Ellás'', {{IPA|[ɛˈlas]}}), officially the '''Hellenic Republic''' [Ελληνική Δημοκρατία {{IPA|(ɛliniˈkʲi ðimokraˈtia)}}],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html#Govt |publisher=www.cia.gov |work=CIA |date=2007-03-15 |accessdate=2007-04-07 |title=World Factbook - Greece: Government}}</ref> is a [[country]] in southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the [[Balkans|Balkan Peninsula]]. It has borders with [[Albania]], [[Bulgaria]] and the [[former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]] to the north, and [[Turkey]] to the east. The [[Aegean Sea]] lies to the east and south of mainland Greece, while the [[Ionian Sea]] lies to the west. Both parts of the Eastern [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] basin feature a vast number of [[List of islands of Greece|islands]]. Greece lies at the juncture of [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and [[Africa]]. It is heir to the heritages of [[ancient Greece]], the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] and [[Byzantine Empire]]s,<ref>Sir Steven Runciman, Conclusion, ''The Fall of Constantinople''</ref> and nearly four centuries of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule.<ref>"Greece." [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 6 Sept. 2006 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9106266>.</ref> Greece is the birthplace of [[democracy]],<ref>Finley, M. I. Democracy Ancient and Modern. 2d ed., 1985. London: Hogarth.</ref> Western [[philosophy]],<ref> History of Philosophy, Volume 1 by Frederick Copleston</ref> the [[Olympic Games]], [[Western literature]] and [[historiography]], [[political science]], major scientific and [[Mathematics|mathematical]] principles, and Western [[drama]]<ref>Brockett, Oscar G. History of the Theatre. sixth ed., 1991. Boston; London: Allyn and Bacon.</ref> including both [[tragedy]] and [[comedy]]. Greece is a [[developed country]], a member of the [[European Union]] since 1981,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/greece/index_en.htm |publisher=europa.eu |work=European Union |accessdate=2007-04-07 |title=Member States of the EU: Greece}}</ref> a member of the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union]] since 2001, [[NATO]] since 1952<ref>On the [[14 August]] [[1974]] Greek forces withdrew from the integrated military structure of [[NATO]] in protest at the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus. Greece rejoined NATO in [[1980]].</ref>, the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]] since 1961,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/document/7/0,2340,en_2649_201185_1915847_1_1_1_1,00.html |publisher=www.oecd.org |work=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |title=Convention on the OECD |accessdate=2007-04-07}}</ref> the [[Western European Union|WEU]] since 1995 and [[European Space Agency|ESA]] since 2005.<ref name = ESA>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMWYQRMD6E_index_0.html |title=Greece becomes 16th ESA Member State |publisher=www.esa.int |work=European Space Agency |date=2005-03-22 |accessdate=2007-04-07}}</ref> [[Athens]] is the capital; [[Thessaloniki]], [[Patras]], [[Heraklion]], [[Volos]], [[Ioannina]], [[Larissa]] and [[Kavala]] are some of the country's other major cities. ==History== {{main|History of Greece}} [[Image:Parthenon.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Parthenon]] in [[Athens]].]] The shores of the Aegean sea saw the emergence of the first advanced civilizations in Europe, the [[Minoan civilization| Minoan]] civilization in Crete and the [[Mycenae|Mycenean]] civilization on the mainland. Later, [[city-states]] emerged across the Greek peninsula and spread to the shores of [[Black Sea]], [[Magna Grecia|South Italy]] and [[Asia Minor]] reaching great levels of prosperity that resulted in an unprecedented cultural boom, expressed in [[Parthenon|architecture]], [[drama]], [[science]] and [[philosophy]], and nurtured in [[Classical Athens|Athens]] under a [[Democracy|democratic]] environment. [[Athens]] and [[Sparta]] led the way in repelling the [[Persian Empire]] in a series of [[Greco-Persian Wars|battles]]. Both were later overshadowed by [[Thebes]] and eventually [[Ancient Macedonia|Macedon]], with the latter under the guidance of [[Alexander the Great]] uniting and leading the Greek world to victory over the [[Persians]], to presage the [[Hellenistic era]], itself brought only partially to a close two centuries later with the establishment of [[Roman Republic|Roman]] rule over Greek lands in 146 BC. The subsequent mixture of [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] and [[Hellenic]] cultures took form in the establishment of the [[Byzantine Empire]] in 330 AD around [[Constantinople]], which remained a major cultural and military power for the next 1,123 years, until [[Fall of Constantinople|its fall]] at the hands of [[Ottomans]] in 1453. On the eve of the Ottoman era the Greek intelligentsia migrated to [[Western Europe]], playing a significant role in the [[Renaissance|Western European Renaissance]] through the transferring of works of [[Ancient Greeks]] to [[Western Europe]].<ref>[http://www.economist.com/diversions/millennium/displaystory.cfm?story_id=346800 Millennium issue: Trouble with Turkey | The fall of Constantinople | Economist.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nevertheless, the [[Millet (Ottoman Empire)|Ottoman millet]] system contributed to the ethnic cohesion of Orthodox people by segregating the various peoples within the [[Ottoman Empire]] based on religion as the latter played an integral role in the formation of modern Greek identity. After the [[Greek War of Independence]], successfully fought against the [[Ottoman Empire]] from 1821 to 1829, the nascent Greek state was finally recognized under the [[London Protocol]]. In 1827, [[Ioannis Kapodistrias]], a noble Greek from the [[Ionian Islands]], was chosen as the first governor of the new Republic. However, following his assassination, the [[Great Powers]] soon installed a [[Kingdom of Greece|monarchy]] under [[Otto of Greece|Otto]], of the Bavarian [[House of Wittelsbach]]. In 1843, an uprising forced the King to grant a constitution and a representative assembly. Due to his unimpaired authoritarian rule, he was eventually dethroned in 1863 and replaced by Prince Vilhelm (William) of Denmark, who took the name [[George I of Greece|George I]] and brought with him the [[Ionian Islands]] as a coronation gift from [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. In 1877, [[Charilaos Trikoupis]], a dominant figure of the Greek political scene who is attributed with the significant improvement of the country's infrastructure, curbed the power of the monarchy to interfere in the assembly by issuing the rule of [[vote of confidence]] to any potential [[prime minister]]. [[Image:Epanastasi.jpg|thumb|left|[[March 25]] [[1821]]: [[Germanos of Patras]], blessing the [[Greek flag]] at [[Agia Lavra]]. Theodoros Vryzakis, 1865.]] As a result of the [[Balkan Wars]], Greece successfully increased the extent of her territory and population, a challenging context both socially and economically. In the following years, the struggle between [[Constantine I of Greece|King Constantine I]] and charismatic prime minister [[Eleftherios Venizelos]] over the country's foreign policy on the eve of [[World War I]] dominated the country's political scene, and divided the country into [[National Schism|two bitterly hostile factions]]. In the aftermath of WW I, Greece [[Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)|fought]] against Turkish nationalists led by [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk|Mustafa Kemal]], a war which resulted in a massive population exchange between the two countries under the [[Treaty of Lausanne]]. Instability and successive [[coup d'etat]]s marked the following era, which was overshadowed by the massive task of incorporating 1.5 million Greek refugees from Asia Minor into Greek society. On [[28 October]] [[1940]] [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Fascist Italy]] demanded the surrender of Greece, but the Greek dictator [[Ioannis Metaxas]] famously responded to the Italian ultimatum with the single word "OXI" ("No"). In the following [[Greco-Italian War]], Greece repelled Italian forces into [[Albania]], giving the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] their first victory over [[Axis powers|Axis]] forces on land. The country would eventually fall to urgently dispatched German forces during the [[Battle of Greece]], but the occupiers nevertheless met serious challenges from the [[Greek Resistance]]. After liberation, Greece experienced a bitter [[Greek Civil War|civil war]] between [[Monarchism|Royalist]] and [[Communist]] forces, which led to economic devastation and severe social tensions between its [[Rightists]] and largely Communist [[Leftists]] for the next 30 years.<ref>Mazower, Mark. ''After the War was Over''</ref> The next 20 years were characterized by marginalisation of the left in the political and social spheres but also by a significant economic growth, propelled in part by the [[Marshall Plan]]. In 1965, a period of political turbulence led to a coup d’etat on [[April 21]] [[1967]] by the US-backed [[Greek military junta of 1967-1974|Regime of the Colonels]]. On November 1973 the [[Athens Polytechnic Uprising]] sent shock waves across the regime, and a counter-coup established [[Brigadier]] [[Dimitrios Ioannides]] as dictator. On [[July 20]] [[1974]], as [[Turkey]] [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|invaded]] the island of [[Cyprus]], the regime collapsed. [[Image:Karamanlisarrivesinathens.jpg|thumb|right|[[July 24]] [[1974]]: [[Konstantinos Karamanlis]] arrives in Athens courtesy of French President [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]]]] Ex-Premier [[Constantine Karamanlis]] was invited back from [[Paris]] where he had lived in self-exile since 1963, marking the beginning of the [[Metapolitefsi]] era. On the [[14 August]] [[1974]] Greek forces withdrew from the integrated military structure of NATO in protest at the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus.<ref>[http://www.nato.int/docu/update/70-79/1974e.htm NATO Update 1974]</ref><ref>History, Editorial Consultant : Adam Hart-Davis, Dorling Kindersley Limited publisher, ISBN : 978 1 8561 3062 2</ref> In 1975 a democratic republican constitution was activated and the monarchy abolished by a referendum held that same year. Meanwhile, [[Andreas Papandreou]] founded the Panhellenic Socialist Party, or [[PASOK]], in response to [[Constantine Karamanlis]]' [[New Democracy (Greece)|New Democracy]] party, with the two political formations dominating Greek political affairs in the ensuing decades. Greece rejoined [[NATO]] in 1980.<ref>History, Editorial Consultant : Adam Hart-Davis, Dorling Kindersley Limited publisher, ISBN : 978 1 8561 3062 2</ref> Relations with neighbouring Turkey have improved substantially over the last decade, since successive earthquakes hit both nations in the summer of 1999 ( see [[Greek-Turkish earthquake diplomacy]]), and today Athens is an active supporter of the country's EU membership bid. Greece became the tenth member of the [[European Union]] on [[January 1]] [[1981]] and ever since the nation has experienced a remarkable and sustained economic growth. Widespread investments in industrial enterprises and heavy infrastructure, as well as funds from the European Union and growing revenues from tourism, shipping and a fast growing service sector have raised the country's standard of living to unprecedented levels. The country adopted the [[Euro]] in 2001 and successfully organised the [[2004 Olympic Games]] in [[Athens]]. ==Government and politics== {{main|Politics of Greece|List of political parties in Greece}} [[Image:Proedros.png|thumb|left|150px|''Great State'' Seal of the Presidency of the Republic]] [[Image:Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος.jpg|right|thumb|[[Eleftherios Venizelos]] (1864–1936), one of the greatest political figures of modern Greece.]] [[Image:Kostas Karamanlis.jpg|thumb|[[Kostas Karamanlis]], the current [[Prime Minister of Greece]].]] Greece is a [[parliamentary republic]].<ref name="con1">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 1]</ref> The [[head of state]] is the [[President of Greece|President of the Republic]], who is elected by the [[Hellenic Parliament|Parliament]] for a five-year term.<ref name="con30">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 30]</ref> The current [[Constitution of Greece|Constitution]] was drawn up and adopted by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes and entered into force in 1975 after the fall of the [[Greek military junta of 1967-1974|military junta of 1967-1974]]. It has been revised twice since, in 1986 and in [[Greek Constitutional amendment of 2001|2001]]. The Constitution, which consists of 120 articles, provides for a [[separation of powers]] into [[executive branch|executive]], [[legislative branch|legislative]], and [[judicial branch]]es, and grants extensive specific guarantees (further reinforced in 2001) of [[civil liberties]] and [[social rights]].<ref>P.D. Dagtoglou, ''Individual Rights'', I, 21<br>* E. Venizelos, ''The "Acquis" of the Constitutional Revision'', 131-132, 165-172 </ref> According to the Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic and the [[Cabinet of Greece|Government]].<ref name="con26">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 26]</ref> The [[Greek Constitutional amendment of 1986|Constitutional amendment of 1986]] the President's duties were curtailed to a significant extent, and they are now largely ceremonial.<ref name="M477-478">K. Mavrias, ''Constitutional Law'', 477-478</ref> The position of [[Prime Minister of Greece|Prime Minister]], Greece's [[head of government]], belongs to the [[List of Prime Ministers of Greece|current leader]] of the [[List of political parties in Greece|political party]] that can obtain a vote of confidence by the Parliament. The President of the Republic formally appoints the Prime Minister and, on his recommendation, appoints and dismisses the other members of the Cabinet.<ref name="con37">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 37]</ref> The Prime Minister exercises vast political power, and the amendment of 1986 further strengthened his position to the detriment of the President of the Republic.<ref name="M477-478-486-487">K. Mavrias, ''Constitutional Law'', 477-478, 486-487</ref> Legislative power is exercised by a 300-member elective [[unicameralism|unicameral Parliament]].<ref name="con51,53">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Articles 51, 53]</ref> Statutes passed by the Parliament are promulgated by the President of the Republic.<ref name="con42">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 42]</ref> [[Elections in Greece#Election of the legislature|Parliamentary elections]] are held every four years, but the President of the Republic is obliged to dissolve the Parliament earlier on the proposal of the Cabinet, in view of dealing with a national issue of exceptional importance.<ref name="con41">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 41]</ref> The President is also obliged to dissolve the Parliament earlier, if the opposition manages to pass a [[motion of no confidence]].<ref name="con84">[http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf The Constitution of Greece: Article 84]</ref> The [[Judicial system of Greece|Judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature and comprises three Supreme Courts: the [[Court of Cassation (Greece)|Court of Cassation]] (Άρειος Πάγος), the [[Council of State (Greece)|Council of State]] (Συμβούλιο της Επικρατείας) and the [[Chamber of Accounts (Greece)|Court of Auditors]] (Ελεγκτικό Συνέδριο). The Judiciary system is also composed of civil courts, which judge civil and penal cases and administrative courts, which judge disputes between the citizens and the Greek administrative authorities. Since the restoration of democracy, the Greek [[two-party system]] is dominated by the liberal-conservative [[New Democracy (Greece)|New Democracy]] and the social-democratic [[Panhellenic Socialist Movement]] (PASOK).<ref>For a diachronic analysis of the Greek party system see T. Pappas, ''Transformation of the Greek Party System Since 1951'', 90-114, who distinguishes three distinct types of party system which developed in consecutive order, namely, a predominant-party system (from 1952 to 1963), a system of polarised pluralism (between 1963 and 1981), and a two-party system (since 1981).</ref> Other significant parties include the [[Communist Party of Greece]], the [[Coalition of the Radical Left]] and the [[Popular Orthodox Rally]]. The current prime minister is [[Kostas Karamanlis]], president of the New Democracy party and nephew of the late [[Constantine Karamanlis]], who won a second term on [[September 16]], [[2007]], acquiring a slimmer majority in the Parliament with only 152 out of 300 seats. ===Peripheries and prefectures=== {{main|Peripheries of Greece|Prefectures of Greece|Communities and Municipalities of Greece}} Administratively, Greece consists of thirteen peripheries subdivided into a total of fifty-one prefectures ({{lang|el|''nomoi''}}, singular {{lang|el|''[[nomos]]''}}). There is also one [[autonomous area]], [[Mount Athos]] ({{lang|el|''Agio Oros''}}, "Holy Mountain"), which borders the periphery of [[Central Macedonia]]. {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%" |- style="font-size:100%; text-align:left" !width="40px"| Map !! [[Number]] !!width="140px"| [[Peripheries of Greece|Periphery]] !!width="80px"| [[Capital]] !!width="80px"| [[Area]] !!width="80px"| [[Population]] </tr> | rowspan=15 | [[Image:GreeceNumberedPerepheries.png|300px]] |- | 1 || [[Attica]] || [[Athens]] || style="text-align:right"|3,808 km²|| style="text-align:right"|3,761,810 |- | 2 || [[Central Greece (periphery)|Central Greece]] || [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]] || style="text-align:right"|15,549 km²|| style="text-align:right"|605,329 |- | 3 || [[Central Macedonia]] || [[Thessaloniki]] ||style="text-align:right"|18,811 km²|| style="text-align:right"|1,871,952 |- | 4 || [[Crete]] || [[Heraklion]] || style="text-align:right"|8,259 km²|| style="text-align:right"|601,131 |- | 5 || [[East Macedonia and Thrace]] || [[Kavála]] || style="text-align:right"|14,157 km²|| style="text-align:right"|611,067 |- | 6 || [[Epirus (periphery)|Epirus]] || [[Ioannina]] ||style="text-align:right"|9,203 km²|| style="text-align:right"|353,820 |- | 7 || [[Ionian Islands]] || [[Corfu (city)|Corfu]] || style="text-align:right"|2,307 km²|| style="text-align:right"|212,984 |- | 8 || [[North Aegean]] || [[Mytilene]] || style="text-align:right"|3,836 km²|| style="text-align:right"|206,121 |- | 9 || [[Peloponnese (periphery)|Peloponnese]] || [[Kalamata]] || style="text-align:right"|15,490 km²|| style="text-align:right"|638,942 |- | 10 || [[South Aegean]] || [[Ermoupoli]] || style="text-align:right"|5,286 km²|| style="text-align:right"|302,686 |- | 11 || [[Thessaly]] || [[Larissa]] || style="text-align:right"|14.037 km²|| style="text-align:right"|753,888 |- | 12 || [[West Greece]] || [[Patras]] || style="text-align:right"|11,350 km²|| style="text-align:right"|740,506 |- | 13 || [[West Macedonia]] || [[Kozani]] || style="text-align:right"|9,451 km²|| style="text-align:right"|301,522 |- | - || [[Mount Athos]] (Autonomous) || [[Karyes (Athos)|Karyes]] || style="text-align:right"|390 km²|| style="text-align:right"|2,262 |} ==Geography== {{main|Geography of Greece}} {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 0px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 100%;"pa |<div style="position: relative">[[Image:000 Greqia harta.PNG|center|Map of Greece]] <!-- --------------------------------- NATIONS / FLAGS --> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:18px;top:38px">'''[[Image:Flag of Albania.svg|25px]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:90%;left:11px;top:52px">'''[[Albania|<span style="color: black;">Albania]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:74px;top:10px">'''[[Image:Flag of Macedonia.svg|25px]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:90%;left:61px;top:22px">'''[[Republic of Macedonia|<span style="color: black;"> F.Y.R.O.M.]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:174px;top:2px">'''[[Image:Flag of Bulgaria.svg|25px]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:110%;left:160px;top:16px">'''[[Bulgaria|<span style="color: black;">Bulgaria]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:90%;left:255px;top:30px">''''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:283px;top:135px">'''[[Image:Flag of Turkey.svg|25px]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:110%;left:272px;top:150px">'''[[Turkey|<span style="color: black;">Turkey]]'''</div> <!-- ----------------------------- TOP TOWNS/ISLANDS --> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:3px;top:254px">'''[[Image:Flag of Greece.svg|65px]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:2px;top:299px"><big>'''[[Greece|<span style="color: black;" >GREECE]]'''</big></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:157px;top:172px">'''[[Athens|<span style="color: purple;" >ATHENS]]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:80%;left:124px;top:71px">[[Thessaloniki]]</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:160px;top:42px"><small>[[Kavala]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:184px;top:60px"><small>''---''[[Thasos]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:228px;top:53px"><small>[[Alexandroupoli]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:219px;top:70px"><small>''--''[[Samothrace]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:0px;top:101px"><small>[[Corfu]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:1px;top:117px"><small>[[Igoumenitsa]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:113px;top:107px"><small>[[Larissa]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:133px;top:118px"><small>[[Volos]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:58px;top:108px"><small>[[Ioannina]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:151px;top:156px"><small>[[Chalcis]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:59px;top:173px"><small>[[Patras]]</small></div> <!-- ----CORINTH---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:90px;top:182px"><small>[[Corinth]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:123px;top:180px">[[Corinth|<FONT size=5><span style="color: black;"><b>.</FONT>]]</div> <!-- ----NAFPLION---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:80px;top:202px"><small>[[Nafplion]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:119px;top:192px">[[Nafplion|<FONT size=5><span style="color: black;"><b>.</FONT>]]</div> <!-- ----SPARTA---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:103px;top:213px"><small>[[Sparta]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:105px;top:212px">[[Sparta|<FONT size=5><span style="color: black;"><b>.</FONT>]]</div> <!-- ----AREOPOLI---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:89px;top:232px"><small>[[Areopoli]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:105px;top:233px">[[Areopoli|<FONT size=5><span style="color: black;"><b>.</FONT>]]</div> <!-- ---------- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:137px;top:186px"><small>[[Piraeus]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:111px;top:172px"><small>[[Eleusina]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:148px;top:200px"><small>[[Laurium]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:204px;top:290px"><small>[[Heraklion]]</small></div> <!-- ---------------------------------------UJRAT --> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:79px;top:57px">'''''[[Macedonia (Greece)|M a c e d o n i a]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:197px;top:43px">'''''[[Western Thrace|Thrace]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:41px;top:95px">'''''[[Epirus (periphery)|Epirus]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:72px;top:119px">'''''[[Thessaly]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:133px;top:142px">'''''[[Euboea]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:57px;top:150px">'''''[[Central Greece]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:64px;top:191px">'''''[[Peloponnese]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:57px;top:79px">''<small><small>[[Mount Olympus|M.Olympus (2917 m)]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:19px;top:143px">''<small><small>[[Lefkada]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:8px;top:175px">''<small><small>[[Kefalonia]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:3px;top:190px">''<small>[[Zakynthos]]-</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:180px;top:88px">''<small>[[Lemnos]]</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:213px;top:128px">''<small>[[Lesbos Island|Lesbos]]</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:211px;top:162px">''<small><small>[[Chios]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:252px;top:198px">''<small><small>[[Samos Island|Samos]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:180px;top:185px"><small>[[Andros]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:189px;top:195px"><small>[[Tinos]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:205px;top:207px"><small>[[Mykonos]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:225px;top:191px"><small>[[Icaria|I''caria'']]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:254px;top:209px"><small>''--''[[Patmos]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:220px;top:220px">''<small><small>[[Naxos (island)|Naxos]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:181px;top:234px"><small>[[Milos]]</small></div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:165px;top:249px">''<small>[[Santorini]]</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:251px;top:233px">''<small><small>[[Kos]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:269px;top:263px">''<small><small>[[Rhodes]]</small></small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:277px;top:282px">''<small>[[Karpathos]]</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;left:268px;top:300px">''<small>[[Kassos]]</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:105px;top:258px">''<small>[[Kythira]]</small>''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:170px;top:322px">''<small><small>[[Gavdos]]</small></small>''</div> <!-- ----------------------------------- SEAS --> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:194px;top:140px">'''[[Aegean Sea|<span style="color: #0099DD;">''Aegean'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:214px;top:177px">'''[[Aegean Sea|<span style="color: #0099DD;">''Sea'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:185px;top:268px">'''[[Sea of Crete|<span style="color: #0099DD;">''Sea of Crete'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:80%;left:133px;top:228px">'''[[Myrtoan Sea|<span style="color: #0088DD;">''Myrtoan'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:80%;left:147px;top:237px">'''[[Myrtoan Sea|<span style="color: #0088DD;">''Sea'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:09px;top:208px">'''[[Ionian Sea|<span style="color: #0088DD;">''Ionian'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:14px;top:223px">'''[[Ionian Sea|<span style="color: #0088DD;">''Sea'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:225px;top:319px">'''[[Mediterranean Sea|<span style="color: #0088DD;">''Mediterranean'']]'''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:238px;top:333px">'''[[Mediterranean Sea|<span style="color: #0088DD;">''Sea'']]'''</div> <!-- ----------------------------------- ISLAND GROUPS --> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:192px;top:305px">'''''[[Crete]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:169px;top:105px">'''''[[Aegean Islands|<span style="color: #999999;">Aegean]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:180px;top:117px">'''''[[Aegean Islands|<span style="color: #999999;">Islands]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:143px;top:217px">'''''[[Cyclades|<span style="color: #999999;">Cyclades]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:229px;top:247px">'''''[[Dodecanese|<span style="color: #999999;">Dodecanese]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:02px;top:151px">'''''[[Ionian Islands|<span style="color: #999999;">Ionian]]'''''</div> <div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:01px;top:161px">'''''[[Ionian Islands|<span style="color: #999999;">Islands]]'''''</div> |} Greece consists of a mountainous mainland jutting out into the sea at the southern end of the [[Balkans]], the [[Peloponnese|Peloponnesus]] peninsula (separated from the mainland by the [[Corinth Canal|canal]] of the [[Isthmus of Corinth]]), and [[Greek islands|numerous islands]] (around 2,000), including [[Crete]], [[Euboea]], [[Lesbos Island|Lesbos]], [[Chios]], the [[Dodecanese]] and the [[Cyclades|Cycladic]] groups of the [[Aegean Sea]] as well as the [[Ionian Sea]] islands. Greece has the [[List of countries by length of coastline|tenth longest coastline]] in the world with {{convert|14880|km|mi|0}}; its land boundary is {{convert|1160|km|mi|0}}. Four fifths of Greece consist of mountains or hills, making the country one of the most mountainous in Europe. Western Greece contains a number of lakes and wetlands and it is dominated by the [[Pindus]] mountain range. Pindus has a maximum elevation of {{convert|2636|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} and it is essentially a prolongation of the [[Dinaric Alps]]. The range continues through the western [[Peloponnese]], crosses the islands of [[Kythera]] and Antikythera and find its way into southwestern Aegean, in the island of [[Crete]] where it eventually ends. (the islands of the Aegean are peaks of underwater mountains that once constituted an extension of the mainland). Pindus is characterized by its high, steep peaks, often dissected by numerous canyons and a variety of other karstic landscapes. Most notably, the impressive [[Meteora]] formation consisting of high, steep boulders provides a breathtaking experience for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the area each year. [[Image:Greece meteora monasteries.JPG|thumb|left|View of the rocky [[Meteora]] formation in central Greece.]] [[Image:Olympus Litochoro.JPG|thumb|View of [[Mount Olympus (Mountain)|Mount Olympus]] ({{convert|2917|m|ft|0}}) from the town of [[Litochoro]].]] The Vikos-Aoos Gorge is yet another spectacular formation and a popular hotspot for those fond of extreme sports. [[Mount Olympus (Mountain)|Mount Olympus]],a focal point of Greek culture throughout history is host to the Mytikas peak {{convert|2917|m|ft|0}},the highest in the country. Once considered the throne of the Gods, it is today extremely popular among hikers and climbers. Moreover, northeastern Greece features yet another high-altitude mountain range, the Rhodope range, spreading across the periphery of [[East Macedonia and Thrace]]; this area is covered with vast, thick, ancient forests. The famous Dadia forest is in the prefecture of [[Evros]], in the far northeast of the country. Expansive plains are primarily located in the prefectures of [[Thessaly]], [[Central Macedonia]] and [[Western Thrace|Thrace]]. They constitute key economic regions as they are among the few arable places in the country.Rare marine species such as the Pinniped Seals and the [[Loggerhead Sea Turtle]] live in the seas surrounding mainland Greece, while its dense forests are home to the endangered [[brown bear]], the [[lynx]], the [[Roe Deer]] and the Wild Goat. [[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Greece belongs to the [[Boreal Kingdom]] and is shared between the East Mediterranean province of the [[Mediterranean Region]] and the Illyrian province of the [[Circumboreal Region]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] and Digital Map of European Ecological Regions by the [[European Environment Agency]], the territory of Greece can be subdivided into six [[ecoregion]]s: the [[Illyrian deciduous forests]], [[Pindus Mountains mixed forests]], [[Balkan mixed forests]], [[Rodope montane mixed forests]], [[Aegean and Western Turkey sclerophyllous and mixed forests]] and [[Crete Mediterranean forests]]. ===Climate=== {{main|Climate of Greece}} [[Image:Fira at Santorini (from north).jpg|thumb|230px|left|Greece enjoys a typical sunny and warm [[Mediterranean Climate]] (View from [[Fira]], the capital of [[Santorini]]).]] The climate of Greece can be categorised into three types (the Mediterranean, the Alpine and the Temperate) that influence well-defined regions of its territory.The Pindus mountain range strongly affects the climate of the country by making the western side of it (areas prone to the south-westerlies) wetter on average than the areas lying to the east of it ([[lee side]] of the mountains).The Mediterranean type of climate features mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The Cyclades, the [[Dodecanese]], [[Crete]], Eastern Peloponessus and parts of the Sterea Ellada region are mostly affected by this particular type of climate. Temperatures rarely reach extreme values although snowfalls do occur occasionally even in the [[Cyclades]] or the Dodecanese during the winter months. The Alpine type is dominant mainly in the mountainous areas of Northwestern Greece ([[Epirus (periphery)|Epirus]], [[Central Greece]], [[Thessaly]], [[Western Macedonia]]) as well as in the central parts of [[Peloponnese]], including the prefectures of [[Achaia]], [[Arcadia]] and parts of [[Laconia]], where extensions of the Pindus mountain range pass by). Finally, the Temperate type affects [[Central Macedonia]] and [[East Macedonia and Thrace]]; it features cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers. Athens is located in a transitional area featuring both the Mediterranean and the Temperate types.The city's northern suburbs are dominated by the temperate type while the downtown area and the southern suburbs enjoy a typical Mediterranean type. ==Economy== {{main|Economy of Greece|Tourism in Greece}} [[Image:€2 commemorative coin Greece 2004.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Greek euro coins|Greek 2 euro coin]] in commemoration of the [[2004 Olympic Games]].]] Greece operates a [[mixed|mixed]] economy that produced a GDP of $305.595 billion in 2006. Its principal economic activities include tourism and shipping industries, banking and finance, manufacturing and construction and telecommunications. The country serves as the regional business hub for many of the world's largest multinational companies.<ref name="ciaecon">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html|title=Greece}}</ref> The people of Greece enjoy a high [[standard of living]]. Greece ranks 24th<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/statistics/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_GRC.html |title=Country Fact Sheets: Greece |accessdate=2007-04-08 |publisher=hdr.undp.org |work=UNDP}}</ref> in the 2006 [[Human Development Index|HDI]], 22nd on [[The Economist]]'s 2005 world-wide quality-of-life index,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf |title=The Economist Intelligence Unit's quality-of-life index (2005) |publisher=www.economist.com |work=The Economist |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and, according to the [[International Monetary Fund]] it has an estimated average per capita income of $35,166<ref>{{cite web |title=IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2007. |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=15&pr.y=8&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C941%2C914%2C446%2C612%2C666%2C614%2C668%2C311%2C672%2C213%2C946%2C911%2C137%2C193%2C962%2C122%2C674%2C912%2C676%2C313%2C548%2C419%2C556%2C513%2C678%2C316%2C181%2C913%2C682%2C124%2C684%2C339%2C273%2C638%2C921%2C514%2C948%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a= |accessdate=2007-10-18 |publisher=www.imf.org |work=International Monetary Fund |date=2007-10}}</ref> for the year 2007, comparable to that of Germany, France or Italy and approximately equal to the EU average. Greece's present prosperity is largely owed to the post-World War II "[[Greek economic miracle]]" (when GDP growth averaged 7% between 1950 and 1973), the implementation of a number of structural and fiscal reforms, combined with considerable European Union funding over the last twenty-five years and increasing private consumption and investments. The latter facts have contributed to a consistent annual growth of the Greek GDP that was surpassing the respective one of most of its other [[EU]] partners.<ref>[http://www.elke.gr/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=765 ELKE Hellenic Center for Investment - Economic Stability<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Image:Brainsik-mykonoshora.jpg|thumb|right|The island of [[Mykonos]] is one of the top European tourism destinations.]] Today, the [[Tertiary sector of economic activity|service industry]] (74.4%) makes up the largest, most vital and fastest-growing sector of the Greek economy, followed by industry (20.6%) and agriculture (5.1%).<ref name="ciaecon" /> The tourism industry is a major source of foreign exchange earnings and revenue accounting for 15% of Greece’s total GDP<ref name="ciaecon" /> and employing (directly or indirectly) 659,719 people (or 16.5% of total employment). Additionally Greek banks have invested heavily in the Balkan region: most notably the [[National Bank of Greece]] in 2006 acquired 46% of the shares of [[Finansbank]] in Turkey and 99.44% of Serbia's [[Vojvođanska Bank]].The manufacturing sector accounts for about 13% of GDP with the food industry leading in growth, profit and export potential. High-technology equipment production, especially for telecommunications, is also a fast-growing sector. Other important areas include textiles, building materials, machinery, transport equipment, and electrical appliances. Construction (10%GDP) and agriculture (7%) are yet two other significant sectors of the Greek economic activity. Greece is the leading investor in all of her Balkan neighbors. ===Maritime industry=== {{main|Greek shipping|List of ports in Greece}} [[Image:Salonica-view-aerial2.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of [[Thessaloniki]]'s central districts. Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city and a major economic, industrial, commercial and cultural center.]] The shipping industry is a key element of Greek economic activity dating back to ancient times.<ref name=shipping>{{cite web |url=http://www.greece.org/poseidon/work/articles/polemis_one.html |title=The History of Greek Shipping |last=Polemis |first=Spyros M. |publisher=www.greece.org |work= |accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref> Today, shipping is one of the country's most important industries. It accounts for 4.5% of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], employs about 160,000 people (4% of the workforce), and represents 1/3 of the country's trade deficit.<ref name =nbg>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbg.gr/en/pr_release_resb.asp?P_ID=463 |work=National Bank of Greece |publisher=www.nbg.gr |title=Greek shipping is modernized to remain a global leader and expand its contribution to the Greek economy |date=2006-05-11 |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> During the 1960s the size of the Greek fleet nearly doubled, primarily through the investment undertaken by the shipping magnates [[Aristotle Onassis|Onassis]] and [[Stavros Niarchos|Niarchos]].<ref name=slate>{{cite news |url=http://slate.msn.com/id/2124542/ |title=So Many Greek Shipping Magnates... |last=Engber |first=Daniel |work=Slate |publisher=Washington Post/slate.msn.com |date=2005-08-17 |accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref> The basis of the modern Greek maritime industry was formed after [[World War II]] when Greek shipping businessmen were able to amass surplus ships sold to them by the [[United States]] Government through the Ship Sales Act of the 1940s.<ref name=slate/> According to the [[Bureau of Transportation Statistics|BTS]], the Greek-owned maritime fleet is today the largest in the world, with 3,079 vessels accounting for 18% of the world's fleet capacity (making it the largest of any other country) with a total [[dead weight tonnage|dwt]] of 141,931 thousand (142 million dwt).<ref name=BTS>{{cite web |url=http://www.bts.gov/publications/maritime_trade_and_transportation/2002/html/table_01_05.html |title=Top 20 Ranking of World Merchant Fleet by Country of Owner as of January 1, 2001a |publisher=www.bts.gov |work=Bureau of Transportation Statistics |date=2001 |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In terms of ship categories, Greece ranks first in both [[tanker (ship)|tankers]] and dry [[bulk carrier]]s, fourth in the number of [[container ship|containers]], and fourth in other ships.<ref name=BTS/> However, today's fleet roster is smaller than an all-time high of 5,000 ships in the late 70's.<ref name=shipping/> ===Science and technology=== [[Image:BrugPatras.JPG|thumb|The [[Rio-Antirio bridge]] near the city of [[Patras]] is the longest [[cable-stayed bridge]] in Europe and second in the world. It connects the [[Peloponnese]] with mainland Greece.]] Because of its strategic location, qualified workforce and political and economic stability, many multinational companies such as [[Ericsson]], [[Siemens AG|Siemens]], [[SAP AG|SAP]], [[Motorola]] and [[Coca-Cola]] have their regional R&D Headquarters in Greece. The [http://www.gsrt.gr/default.asp?V_LANG_ID=2, General Secretariat for Research and Technology] of the [http://www.ypan.gr/index_uk_c_cms.htm Hellenic Ministry of Development] is responsible for designing, implementing and supervising national research and technological policy. In 2003, public spending on R&D was 456,37 million Euros (12,6% increase from 2002). Total research and development (R&D) spending (both public and private) as a percentage of GDP has increased considerably since the beginning of the past decade, from 0,38% in 1989, to 0,65% in 2001. R&D spending in Greece remains lower than the EU average of 1,93%, but, according to Research DC, based on OECD and Eurostat data, between 1990 and 1998, total R&D expenditure in Greece enjoyed the third highest increase in Europe, after Finland and Ireland. Greece's technology parks with incubator facilities include [http://www.stepc.gr/ the Science and Technology Park of Crete] (Heraklion), the [http://www.thestep.gr Thessaloniki Technology Park],the [http://www.ltp.ntua.gr/ Lavrio Technology Park] and the [http://www.psp.org.gr/apps/en/spag/ Patras Science Park].Greece has been a member of the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) since 2005.<ref name = ESA/> Cooperation between ESA and the Hellenic National Space Committee began in the early 1990s. In 1994, Greece and ESA signed their first cooperation agreement. Having formally applied for full membership in 2003, Greece became ESA's sixteenth member on March 16 2005. As member of the ESA, Greece participates in the agency's telecommunication and technology activities, and the [[Global Monitoring for Environment and Security]] Initiative. ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of Greece}} [[Image:Brainsik-ermoupoli.jpg|thumb|The [[Hermoupolis]] port in the island of [[Syros]] is the capital of the [[Cyclades]].]] The official Statistical body of Greece is the [[National Statistical Service of Greece]] (NSSG). According to the NSSG, Greece's total population in 2001 was 10,964,020.<ref name=nssg>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gr/eng_tables/hellas_in_numbers_eng.pdf |title=Greece in Numbers |work=National Statistical Service of Greece |publisher=www.statistis.gr |date=2006 |accessdate=2007-12-14}}</ref> That figure is divided into 5,427,682 males and 5,536,338 females.<ref name=nssg/> As statistics from 1971, 1981, and 2001 show, the Greek population has been aging the past several decades.<ref name=nssg/> The birth rate in 2003 stood 9.5 per 1,000 inhabitants (14.5 per 1,000 in 1981). At the same time the mortality rate increased slightly from 8.9 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1981 to 9.6 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2003. In 2001, 16.71% of the population were 65 years old and older, 68.12% between the ages of 15 and 64 years old, and 15.18% were 14 years old and younger.<ref name=nssg/> In 1971 the figures were 10.92%, 63.72%, and 25.36% respectively.<ref name=nssg/> Greek society has also rapidly changed with the passage of time. Marriage rates kept falling from almost 71 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1981 until 2002, only to increase slightly in 2003 to 61 per 1,000 and then fall again to 51 in 2004.<ref name=nssg/> Divorce rates on the other hand, have seen an increase – from 191.2 per 1,000 marriages in 1991 to 239.5 per 1,000 marriages in 2004.<ref name=nssg/> Almost two-thirds of the [[Greeks|Greek people]] live in urban areas. Greece's largest municipalities in 2001 were: [[Athens]] (745,514),<ref name=cities>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gr/Athena2001/Athena2001.ASP?wcu=$cmd=0$id=5200712142356520314915 |title=Athena 2001 Census |work=National Statistical Service of Greece |accessdate=2007-12-14 |publisher=www.statistics.gr}}</ref> [[Thessaloniki]] (363,987),<ref name=cities/> [[Piraeus]] (175,697),<ref name=cities/> [[Patras]] (161,114),<ref name=cities/> [[Iraklio]] (133,012),<ref name=cities/> [[Larissa]] (124,786),<ref name=cities/> and [[Volos]] (82,439).<ref name=cities/> ===Minorities=== {{main|Minorities in Greece}} [[Image:550px-Greece linguistic minoritiesb copy.jpg|thumb|250px|Traditional non-Greek language zones in Greece. ''Note'': Greek is the dominant language throughout Greece; inclusion in a non-Greek language zone does not necessarily imply that the relevant minority language is still spoken there, or that its speakers consider themselves an ''ethnic'' minority.<ref>See Ethnologue ([http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp?name=GR&seq=10]); Euromosaic, ''Le (slavo)macédonien / bulgare en Grèce'', ''L'arvanite / albanais en Grèce'', ''Le valaque/aromoune-aroumane en Grèce'', and Mercator-Education: European Network for Regional or Minority Languages and Education, ''The Turkish language in education in Greece''. cf. also P. Trudgill, "Greece and European Turkey: From Religious to Linguistic Identity", in S Barbour, C Carmichael (eds.), ''Language and nationalism in Europe'', Oxford University Press 2000.</ref>]] The only minority in Greece that has a specially recognized legal status is the [[Muslim minority of Greece|Muslim minority]] (Μουσουλμανική μειονότητα, ''Mousoulmanikí meionótita'') in Thrace, which amounts to approximately 0.95% of the total population. Its members are predominantly of [[Turkish people|Turkish]], [[Pomaks|Pomak]] and [[Romani people|Roma]] ethnic origins. Other recognized minorities include approximately 35,000 [[Armenians]] and 5,500 [[Jews]]. There are also a number of linguistic minority groups, whose members speak a non-Greek language in addition to [[Greek language|Greek]] and generally identify ethnically as [[Greeks]].<ref>[http://dev.eurac.edu:8085/mugs2/do/blob.html?type=html&serial=1044526702223 Greek Helsinki Monitor], Minority Rights Group, Greece, Report about Compliance with the Principles of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (along guidelines for state reports according to Article 25.1 of the Convention) 8 September 1999 </ref> These include the [[Arvanites]], who speak a form of [[Albanian language|Albanian]] known as [[Arvanitika]]<ref>[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=90072 Ethnologue], [http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/~bjoseph/publications/1999comp.pdf Joseph (1999)]</ref> and the [[Aromanians]] and [[Megleno-Romanians|Moglenites]], also known as [[Vlachs]], whose languages are closely related to [[Romanian language|Romanian]]. In northern Greece there are also [[Slavic languages|Slavic]]-speaking groups, whose members identify ethnically as Greeks in their majority. Their dialects can be linguistically classified as forms of either [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] (locally called ''Slavomacedonian'' or simply ''Slavic''; but also ''Bulgarian'', particularly in the past), or [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] (distinguished as ''Pomak'' in the case of the Bulgarophone Muslim [[Pomak]]s of [[Western Thrace|Thrace]]).<ref>P. Trudgill, "Greece and European Turkey: From Religious to Linguistic Identity", in S Barbour, C Carmichael (eds.), ''Language and nationalism in Europe'', Oxford University Press 2000.</ref> ===Immigration=== Due to the complexity of Greek immigration policy, practices and data collection, truly reliable data on immigrant populations in Greece is difficult to gather and therefore subject to much speculation. A study from the [http://www.mmo.gr Mediterranean Migration Observatory] maintains that the 2001 Census from the NSSG recorded 762,191 persons residing in Greece without Greek citizenship, constituting around 7% of total population and that, of these, 48,560 were EU or [[EFTA]] nationals and 17,426 Cypriots with privileged status. The greatest cluster of non-EU immigrant population is in the Municipality of Athens –some 132,000 immigrants, at 17% of local population. Thessaloniki is the second largest cluster, with 27,000, reaching 7% of local population. After this, the predominant areas of location are the big cities environs and the agricultural areas. At the same time, Albanians constituted some 56% of total immigrants, followed by Bulgarians (5%), Georgians (3%) and Romanians (3%). Americans, Cypriots, British and Germans appeared as sizeable foreign communities at around 2% each of total foreign population. The rest were around 690,000 persons of non-EU or non-homogeneis (of non-Greek heritage) status. According to the same study, the foreign population (documented and undocumented) residing in Greece may in reality figure upwards to 8.5% or 10.3%, that is approximately meaning 1.15 million - if immigrants with ''homogeneis'' cards are accounted for. ===Religion=== {{main|Religion in Greece}} [[Image:Stavronikita Aug2006.jpg|thumb|[[Stavronikita monastery]], a [[Greek Orthodox]] [[monastery]] in [[Athos]] peninsula, northern Greece.]] The constitution of Greece recognizes the Greek Orthodox faith as the "prevailing" religion of the country, while guaranteeing freedom of religious belief for all.<ref name="con1"/> The Greek Government does not keep statistics on religious groups and censuses do not ask for religious affiliation. According to the State Department, an estimated 97% of Greek citizens identify themselves as [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]].<ref name=religion>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90178.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Greece |publisher=www.state.gov |work=US Dept. of State/Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor |date=2006-09-15 |accessdate=2007-04-14}}</ref> In the [[Eurostat]] - Eurobarometer poll of 2005, 81% of Greek citizens responded that they ''believe there is a God'',<ref name=eurostat>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf |title=Eurobarometer: Social values, science, and technology |work=Eurobarometer |publisher=europa.eu.int |date=2005-06 |accessdate=2007-04-14}}</ref> whereas 16% answered that ''they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force'',<ref name=eurostat/> and 3% that they ''do not believe there is a God, spirit, nor life force''.<ref name=eurostat/> Greece's percentage of respondents asserting that they ''believe there is a God'' was the third highest among [[European Union|EU]] members behind [[Malta]] and [[Cyprus]].<ref name=eurostat/> Estimates of the recognised [[Muslim minority of Greece|Muslim minority]], which is mostly located in Thrace, range from 98,000 to 140,000,<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/> (between 0.9% and 1.2%) while the immigrant Muslim community numbers between 200,000 and 300,000. Albanian immigrants to Greece are usually associated with the Muslim faith, although most are [[secular]] in orientation.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71383.htm]</ref> [[Judaism]] has [[History of the Jews in Greece|existed]] in Greece for more than 2,000 years. [[Sephardi Jews]] used to have a large presence in the city of [[Thessaloniki]], but nowadays the Greek-Jewish community who survived [[the Holocaust]] is estimated to number around 5,500 people.<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/> Greek members of [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] faith are estimated at 50,000 <ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/> with the Roman Catholic immigrant community approximating 200,000.<ref name=religion/> Old Calendarists account for 500,000 followers.<ref name=religion2>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/aneval/religion_el.pdf |title=Executive Summary Discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief GREECE |publisher=ec.europa.eu |work=Dr Ioannis Ktistakis & Dr Nicholas Sitaropoulos |date=2004-06-22 |accessdate=2007-04-14}}</ref> The [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] report having 30,000 active members.<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/> [[Protestants]] including Evangelicals stand at about 30,000.<ref name=religion2/><ref name=religion/> [[Free Apostolic Church of Pentecost]] and other [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] denominations are about 12,000.<ref>[http://www.pentecost.gr/English/history.htm Synod of Apostolic Church of Christ]</ref> [[Mormons]] can also be found with 420 followers.<ref name=religion/> The ancient Greek religion has also reappeared as [[Hellenic Neopaganism]],<ref name="Polytheist Comeback"> CNN, http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/21/ancient.gods.ap/index.html</ref> with estimates of approximately 2,000 adherents (comprising 0.02% of the general population).<ref name="Greek polytheists">US Department of State, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71383.htm</ref> ===Education=== {{main|Education in Greece}} [[Image:AUTH - Faculty of Education.jpg|thumb|The building of the Faculty of Education at the [[Aristotle University of Thessaloniki]].]] Compulsory education in Greece comprises [[primary school]]s (Δημοτικό Σχολείο, ''Dimotikó Scholeio'') and [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]] (Γυμνάσιο). [[Nursery school]]s (Παιδικός σταθμός, ''Paidikós Stathmós'') are popular but not compulsory. [[Kindergarten]]s (Νηπιαγωγείο, ''Nipiagogeío'') are now compulsory for any child above 4 years of age. Children start primary school aged 6 and remain there for six years.Attendance at gymnasia starts at age 12 and last for three years. Greece's post-compulsory secondary education consists of two school types: unified upper [[secondary school]]s (Ενιαίο Λύκειο, ''Eniaia Lykeia'') and [[Technical school|technical]]-[[Vocational school|vocational]] educational schools (Τεχνικά και Επαγγελματικά Εκπαιδευτήρια, "TEE"). Post-compulsory secondary education also includes vocational training institutes (Ινστιτούτα Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης, "IEK") which provide a formal but unclassified level of education. As they can accept both ''Gymnasio'' (lower secondary school) and ''Lykeio'' (upper secondary school) graduates, these institutes are not classified as offering a particular level of education. The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks the Greek secondary education as the 38th in the world, being significantly below the OECD average.[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf] Public higher education is divided into [[University|universities]], "Highest Educational Institutions" (Ανώτατα Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα, ''Anótata Ekpaideytiká Idrýmata'', "ΑΕΙ") and "Highest Technological Educational Institutions" (Ανώτατα Τεχνολογικά Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα, ''Anótata Technologiká Ekpaideytiká Idrýmata'', "ATEI"). Students are admitted to these Institutes according to their performance at national level examinations taking place after completion of the third grade of ''Lykeio''. Additionally, students over twenty-two years old may be admitted to the [[Hellenic Open University]] through a form of lottery. The [[National and Capodistrian University of Athens| Capodistrian university of Athens]] is the oldest university in the eastern Mediterranean. The Greek education system also provides special kindergartens, primary and secondary schools for people with special needs or difficulties in learning. Specialist gymnasia and high schools offering musical, theological and physical education also exist. Some of the main universities in Greece include: [[National and Capodistrian University of Athens]]{{•}} [[National Technical University of Athens]] {{•}} [[University of Piraeus]]{{•}}[[Agricultural University of Athens]] {{•}} [[University of Macedonia]] (in Thessaloniki) {{•}} [[University of Crete]] {{•}}[[Technical University of Crete]] {{•}} [[Athens University of Economics and Business]] {{•}} [[Aristotle University of Thessaloniki]] {{•}} [[University of the Aegean]] (across the [[Aegean Islands]]) {{•}} [[Democritus University of Thrace]] {{•}} [[University of Ioannina]] {{•}} [[University of Thessaly]] {{•}} [[Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences]] {{•}} [[University of Patras]] {{•}} [[Charokopeio University of Athens]]{{•}} [[Ionian University]] (across the [[Ionian Islands]]) ==Culture== {{main|Culture of Greece|List of Greeks}} [[Image:Hermes di Prassitele, at Olimpia, front.jpg|thumb|[[Hermes]] bearing the infant [[Dionysus]], by [[Praxiteles]], [[Olympia Archaeological Museum]].]] The '''culture of Greece''' has evolved over thousands of years, with its beginnings in [[Mycenaean Greece|the Mycenaean and Minoan Civilizations]], continuing most notably into [[Classical Greece]], the [[Hellenistic Period]], through the influence of the [[Roman Empire]] and its [[Greek East]]ern successor the [[Byzantine Empire]]. The [[Ottoman Empire]] too had a significant influence on Greek culture, but the [[Greek War of Independence|Greek war of independence]] is credited with revitalizing Greece and giving birth to a single entity of its multi-faceted culture throughout the ages. ===Cuisine=== {{main|Greek cuisine}} [[Image:GreekSalad.jpg|thumb|left|180px|World famous [[Greek Salad]]]] [[Greek cuisine]] is often cited as an example of the healthy [[Mediterranean diet]]. Greek cuisine incorporates fresh ingredients into a variety of local dishes such as [[moussaka]], [[stifado]], [[Greek Salad]], [[spanakopita]] and the world famous [[Souvlaki]]. Throughout Greece people often enjoy eating from small dishes such as [[meze]] with various dips such as [[tzatziki]], grilled [[octopus]] and small [[fish]], [[feta cheese]], [[dolmades]] (rice, currants and pine kernels wrapped in vine leaves), various [[pulses]], [[olive]]s and [[cheese]]. [[Olive oil]] is added to almost every dish. Sweet desserts such as [[galaktoboureko]], and drinks such as [[ouzo]], [[metaxa]] and a variety of [[wine]]s including [[retsina]]. Greek cuisine differs widely from different parts of the mainland and from island to island. ===Sports=== {{main|Sport in Greece}} [[Image:Athens 2004 Main Olympic Stadium.jpg|thumb|320px|right|Inside the Athens Olympic Stadium]] Greece has a long tradition in sports with several important achievements. The [[Greece national football team|Greek national football team]] were the reigning [[UEFA European Football Championship|UEFA European Champions]] for the period 2004-2008, having won the [[UEFA Euro 2004]] as underdogs.<ref name=Euro2004>{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |title=Greece win Euro 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3860105.stm |publisher=news.bbc.co.uk |work=BBC News |accessdate=2007-05-07 |date=2004-07-04}}</ref> They are as of April 2008 ranked 8th in the [[FIFA World Rankings|world]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html |title=FIFA World Rankings |publisher=www.fifa.com |work=FIFA |accessdate=2007-05-07 |date=April 2007}}</ref> and qualified for the [[UEFA Euro 2008]] to defend their crown. The [[Super League Greece|Greek Super League]] is the highest professional football league in the country comprising of 16 teams. The most known and successful football clubs are [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]], [[Panathinaikos FC|Panathinaikos]] and [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]], which compete in the Super League Greece. The men's [[Greece national basketball team|Greek national basketball team]] has a decades-long tradition of excellence in the sport. Greece is generally considered an important power in international basketball and the national team is regarded as one of the best in the world. They are as of January 2008 ranked 6th in the [[FIBA World Rankings|world]].<ref>[http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/rankMen.html Greece Fiba Ranking]</ref> They have won the [[EuroBasket|European Championship]] twice in [[EuroBasket 1987|1987]] and [[EuroBasket 2005|2005]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Simon |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2172612 |title=Greece tops Germany for Euro Title |accessdate=2007-05-07 |date=2005-09-26 |publisher=sports.espn.go.com |work=ESPN}}</ref> and have reached the final four in three of the last four [[FIBA World Championship]]s in [[1994 FIBA World Championship|1994]], [[1998 FIBA World Championship|1998]] and [[2006 FIBA World Championship|2006]], taking the second place in 2006. The domestic top basketball league, [[A1 Ethniki]], is composed of fourteen teams. The most successful Greek teams are [[Panathinaikos BC|Panathinaikos]] and [[Olympiacos B.C.|Olympiacos]], who both have won the [[Euroleague]], while [[Aris BC|Aris]], [[AEK Athens B.C.|AEK Athens]] and [[PAOK Thessaloniki B.C.|PAOK]] have also won european trophies. [[Cricket]], [[Handball]], [[Water Polo]] and [[Volleyball]] are also practiced in Greece with the first being particularly popular in [[Corfu]] due to its long connections with the British. As the birth place of the [[Olympic Games]], Greece was most recently host of [[2004 Summer Olympics]] and the first [[1896 Summer Olympics|modern Olympics]] in 1896. ==Armed forces== [[Image:20080702-Faliron F-453 F-463.jpg|thumb|[[Hellenic Navy]] Frigates HS Spetsai (Meko class) and HS Bouboulina (S class).]] [[Image:050618-F-16-GR-01.jpg|thumb|[[Hellenic Air Force]] [[F-16]].]] {{main|Military of Greece}} The Hellenic Armed Forces are overseen by the '''[[Hellenic National Defense General Staff]]''' (Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Άμυνας - ΓΕΕΘΑ) and consists of three branches: *[[Hellenic Army]] *[[Hellenic Navy]] *[[Hellenic Air Force]] The civilian authority for the Greek military is the [[Ministry of National Defence (Greece)|Ministry of National Defence]]. Furthermore, Greece maintains the [[Hellenic Coast Guard]] for law enforcement in the sea and search and rescue. Greece currently has universal compulsory military service for males while females (who may serve in the military) are exempted from conscription. As a member of [[NATO]], the Greek military participates in exercises and deployments under the auspices of the alliance. ==International Rankings== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! Organization ! Survey ! Ranking |- | [[United Nations Development Programme]] | [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]] 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/report.cfm |title=Human Development Report 2006 |publisher=hdr.undp.org |work=United Nations Development Program |date=2006 |accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref><br/>Human Development Index 2004<ref name=HDI>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/statistics/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_GRC.html |title=Greece: Human Development Index Trends |accessdate=2007-04-28 |publisher=hdr.undp.org |work=United Nations Development Program}}</ref><br/>Human Development Index 2000<ref name=HDI/> | 24 out of 177 <br/> 24 out of 177 <br/> 24 out of 177 |- | [[International Monetary Fund]] | [[GDP per capita]] ([[Purchasing Power Parity|PPP]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2006&ssm=1&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=%2C&br=1&pr1.x=56&pr1.y=11&c=512%2C941%2C914%2C446%2C612%2C666%2C614%2C668%2C311%2C672%2C213%2C946%2C911%2C137%2C193%2C962%2C122%2C674%2C912%2C676%2C313%2C548%2C419%2C556%2C513%2C678%2C316%2C181%2C913%2C682%2C124%2C684%2C339%2C273%2C638%2C921%2C514%2C948%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C965%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698&s=NGDPDPC&grp=0&a=#download |title=Gross domestic product per capita, current prices |accessdate=2007-05-04 |date= |work=International Monetary Fund |publisher=}}</ref> | 18 out of 180 |- | ''[[The Economist]]'' | Worldwide Quality-of-life Index, 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf |title=Worldwide Quality of Life - 2005 |publisher=www.economist.com |work=The Economist |date=2005 |accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> | 22 out of 111 |- | [[Heritage Foundation]]/''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' | [[Index of Economic Freedom#Current ratings|Index of Economic Freedom]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/countries.cfm |title=Index of Economic Freedom |accessdate=2007-04-10 |publisher=www.heritage.org |work=Heritage Foundation & The WSJ |date=2007 }}</ref> | 57 out of 157 |- | [[Reporters Without Borders]] | [[Reporters Without Borders#Worldwide press freedom index|Worldwide Press Freedom Index]] 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19388 |title=North Korea, Turkmenistan, Eritrea the worst violators of press freedom |publisher=www.rsf.org |work=Reporters Without Borders |date=2006 |accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref><br/>Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=15331 |title=North Korea, Eritrea and Turkmenistan are the world’s “black holes” for news |publisher=www.ref.org |work=Reporters without Borders |date=2005 |accessdate=2007-04-28}}</ref><br/>Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2004<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=11715 |title=East Asia and Middle East have worst press freedom records |date=2004 |work=Reporters without Borders |publisher=www.ref.org |accessdate=2007-04-28}}</ref> | 32 out of 168 <br/> 18(tied) out of 168<br/> 33 out of 167 |- | [[Transparency International]] | [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/cpi_2006/cpi_table |publisher=www.transparency.org |work=Transparency International |date=2006 |accessdate=2007-04-10 |title=CPI Table}}</ref><br/>Corruption Perceptions Index 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/content/download/8101/51449/file/TIAR2005.pdf |title=Transparency International's Annual Report 2005 |date=2005 |accessdate=2007-04-28 |work=Transparency International |publisher=www.transparency.org}}</ref><br/>Corruption Perceptions Index 2004<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/content/download/2274/14262/file/TI%20Annual%20Report%202004.pdf |title=Transparency International's Annual Report 2004 |date=2004 |accessdate=2006-04-28}}</ref> | 54 out of 163 <br/> 47 out of 158<br/> 49 out of 145 |- | [[World Economic Forum]] | [[Global Competitiveness Report]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weforum.org/pdf/Global_Competitiveness_Reports/Reports/gcr_2006/gcr2006_rankings.pdf |date=2006 |accessdate=2007-04-10 |publisher=www.weforum.org |work=World Economic Forum |title=Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007}}</ref> | 47 out of 125 |- | [[Yale University]]/[[Columbia University]] | [[Environmental Sustainability Index]] 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yale.edu/esi/ESI2005_Main_Report.pdf |title=Environmental Sustainability Index |accessdate=2007-04-27 |date=2005 |work=Yale and Columbia University |publisher=www.yale.edu }}</ref> | 67 out of 146 |- | [[Nationmaster]] | Labor strikes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/lab_str-labor-strikes |title=Labor Statistics: Strikes by Country |accessdate=2007-04-27 |date= |work=Nation Master |publisher=www.nationmaster.com }}</ref> | 13 out of 27 |- | [[A.T. Kearney]] / [[Foreign Policy]] | Globalization Index 2006 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atkearney.com/shared_res/pdf/Globalization-Index_FP_Nov-Dec-06_S.pdf |accessdate=2007-04-27 |date=2006 |publisher=www.atkearney.com |work=A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY |title=A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Globalization Index 2006}}</ref><br/> Globalization Index 2005 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atkearney.com/shared_res/pdf/2005G-index.pdf |date=2005 |accessdate=2007-04-27 |publisher=www.atkearney.com |work=A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY |title=A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine Globalization Index 2005}}</ref><br/> Globalization Index 2004 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atkearney.com/shared_res/pdf/2004G-index.pdf |title=A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine Globalization Index 2004 |date=2004 |accessdate=2007-04-27 |publisher=www.atkearney.com |work=A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY}}</ref> | 32 out of 62 <br/> 29 out of 62 <br/> 28 out of 62 |} ==See also== {{portal|Greece|Flag of Greece.svg}} {{Greece topics}} ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==References== <div class="references-small"> *{{cite book |last=Dagtoglou |first=P.D. |title=Constitutional Law &mdash; Individual Rights &mdash; Volume I |year=1991 |publisher=Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers |location=Athens-Komotini |language=Greek |chapter=Protection of Individual Rights}} *{{cite book |last=Mavrias |first=Kostas G. |title=Constitutional Law |year=2002 |publisher=Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers |location=Athens |language=Greek |isbn=9-60150-663-2}} *{{cite book |title=The Constitution of Greece |url=http://www.parliament.gr/english/politeuma/syntagma.pdf |accessdate=2007-09-20 |year=2004 | |publisher=Hellenic Parliament |location=Athens |isbn=9-605-60073-0}} *{{cite book |last=Venizelos |first=Evangelos |authorlink=Evangelos Venizelos |title=The "Acquis" of the Constitutional Revision |year=2002 |publisher=Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers |location=Athens |language=Greek |isbn=9-60150-617-9|chapter=The Contribution of the Revision of 2001}} *{{cite journal |last=Pappas |first=Takis |year=2003 |month=April |title=The Transformation of the Greek Party System Since 1951 |journal=[[West European Politics (WEP)|West European Politics]]|volume=26 |issue=2|pages=90–114|doi=10.1080/01402380412331333338|url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/wep/2003/00000026/00000002/art00005|accessdate=2008-06-08 | doi_brokendate =2008-06-29}} </div> ==Further reading== *Richard Clogg, ''A Concise History of Greece'', Second Edition, Cambridge University Press 2002. *Minorities in Greece - historical issues and new perspectives. History and Culture of South Eastern Europe. An Annual Journal. München (Slavica) 2003. ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Greece}} ===Government=== *[http://www.presidency.gr/ President of the Hellenic Republic] *[http://www.primeminister.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4762&Itemid=89 Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic] *[http://www.parliament.gr/english/default.asp Hellenic Parliament] *[http://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/ Greek News Agenda Newsletter] *[http://www.ypex.gov.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US Greece] — information and links related to Greece from the ministry of foreign affairs *[http://www.ypex.gov.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Services/Directory/Greek+Missions+Abroad/ Greek missions abroad] (embassies, consulates, representations) *[http://www.ypex.gov.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Services/Directory/Foreign+Authorities+in+Greece/ Foreign missions in Greece] *[http://www.gnto.gr/?langID=2 Greek National Tourism Organisation] *[http://www.statistics.gr/Main_eng.asp National Statistical Service of Greece] ===Other=== *[http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_greece.html National Geographic: Greece] *[http://www.britannica.com/nations/Greece Encyclopaedia Britannica - Greece's country page] *[http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/en/ Hellenic History] *[http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/default.asp The Greek Heritage] *[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Europe/Greece/ Open Directory Project: Greece] *[http://www.badley.info/history/Greece.index.html Chronology of Greece from the World History Database] *[http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Greece:_Primary_Documents History of Greece: Primary Documents] *[http://www.gcr.gr Greek Council for Refugees] {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Countries of Europe}} {{Countries and territories bordering the Mediterranean Sea}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{EU members}} {{Council of Europe members}} {{NATO|state=collapsed}} {{OECD}} {{WTO}} {{Black Sea Economic Cooperation countries}} {{La Francophonie|state=collapsed}} }} {{Ancient Greece topics}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Greece| ]] [[Category:Liberal democracies]] [[Category:Ancient Greece]] [[Category:Tourism in Greece]] [[Category:Economy of Greece]] <!--Interwikis--> {{Link FA|vi}} [[af:Griekeland]] [[als:Griechenland]] [[am:ግሪክ (አገር)]] [[ang:Grēcland]] [[ar:اليونان]] [[an:Grezia]] [[arc:ܝܘܢ]] [[roa-rup:Gãrtsia]] [[frp:Grèce]] [[ast:Grecia]] [[gn:Gyresia]] [[az:Yunanıstan]] [[bn:গ্রীস]] [[zh-min-nan:Hi-lia̍p]] [[be:Грэцыя]] [[be-x-old:Грэцыя]] [[bar:Griechnlånd]] [[bo:ཧི་ལ]] [[bs:Grčka]] [[br:Gres (bro)]] [[bg:Гърция]] [[ca:Grècia]] [[cv:Греци]] [[ceb:Gresya]] [[cs:Řecko]] [[cy:Gwlad Groeg]] [[da:Grækenland]] [[de:Griechenland]] [[dv:ޔޫނާން]] [[dsb:Grichiska]] [[dz:གིརིསི་]] [[et:Kreeka]] [[el:Ελλάδα]] [[es:Grecia]] [[eo:Grekio]] [[ext:Grécia]] [[eu:Grezia]] [[fa:یونان]] [[fo:Grikkaland]] [[fr:Grèce]] [[fy:Grikelân]] [[fur:Grecie]] [[ga:An Ghréig]] [[gv:Yn Ghreag]] [[gd:A' Ghrèig]] [[gl:Grecia - Ελλάδα]] [[zh-classical:希臘]] [[hak:Hî-lia̍p]] [[ko:그리스]] [[haw:Helene]] [[hy:Հունաստան]] [[hi:ग्रीस]] [[hsb:Grjekska]] [[hr:Grčka]] [[io:Grekia]] [[ilo:Grecia]] [[bpy:গ্রীস]] [[id:Yunani]] [[ia:Grecia]] [[ie:Grecia]] [[os:Греци]] [[is:Grikkland]] [[it:Grecia]] [[he:יוון]] [[jv:Yunani]] [[pam:Greece]] [[kn:ಗ್ರೀಸ್]] [[ka:საბერძნეთი]] [[csb:Greckô]] [[kk:Грекия]] [[kw:Pow Grek]] [[rw:Ubugereki]] [[ky:Греция]] [[sw:Ugiriki]] [[ht:Grès]] [[ku:Yewnanistan]] [[la:Graecia]] [[lv:Grieķija]] [[lb:Griicheland]] [[lt:Graikija]] [[lij:Greçia]] [[li:Griekeland]] [[ln:Gresi]] [[lmo:Grecia]] [[hu:Görögország]] [[mk:Грција]] [[ml:ഗ്രീസ്]] [[mt:Greċja]] [[mr:ग्रीस]] [[ms:Greece]] [[mn:Грек]] [[nah:Helenoyān]] [[na:Greece]] [[nl:Griekenland]] [[nds-nl:Griekenlaand]] [[ne:ग्रीस]] [[ja:ギリシャ]] [[nap:Gracia]] [[ce:Джелтимохк]] [[no:Hellas]] [[nn:Hellas]] [[nrm:Grêce]] [[nov:Grekia]] [[oc:Grècia]] [[uz:Yunoniston]] [[ps:يونان]] [[pms:Grecia]] [[nds:Grekenland]] [[pl:Grecja]] [[pt:Grécia]] [[crh:Yunanistan]] [[ro:Grecia]] [[qu:Grisya]] [[ru:Греция]] [[se:Greika]] [[sa:ग्रीस (यूनान)]] [[sco:Greece]] [[sq:Greqia]] [[scn:Grecia]] [[simple:Greece]] [[sk:Grécko]] [[cu:Грьци]] [[sl:Grčija]] [[szl:Grecyjo]] [[so:Giriig]] [[sr:Грчка]] [[sh:Grčka]] [[fi:Kreikka]] [[sv:Grekland]] [[tl:Gresya]] [[ta:கிரேக்க நாடு]] [[tet:Grésia]] [[th:ประเทศกรีซ]] [[vi:Hy Lạp]] [[tg:Юнон]] [[tpi:Gris]] [[tr:Yunanistan]] [[udm:Греция]] [[uk:Греція]] [[ur:یونان]] [[vec:Greçia]] [[vo:Grikän]] [[fiu-vro:Kreeka]] [[war:Gresya]] [[wo:Girees]] [[wuu:搿里斯]] [[yi:גריכנלאנד]] [[yo:Gréésì]] [[diq:Yunanıstan]] [[bat-smg:Graikėjė]] [[zh:希腊]] [[zh-yue:希臘]]