At a glance

Official Name:
Hellenic Republic

Capital: Athens

Population: 11,170,957 (2007 est.)

Languages: Greek

Religion: Greek Orthodox 97 percent, Other 3 percent

Life Expectancy:
Male: 77 Female: 82

Currency: Euro (EUR)

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity):
$305.6 billion (2007 est.)

National Holidays:
25 of March (25 March), The Restoration of Democracy (25 July).

Industries:Tourism, Shipping, Food and Tobacco Processing, Textiles, Chemicals, Metal Products, Mining, Petroleum.

Greece
Greece is located at the junction of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and was home to a very advanced ancient society. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of such things as democracy, philosophy, drama, and the Olympic Games. Much of the culture of Western Europe is based on ancient Greek culture.

The modern Greek state was created in 1829; after centuries of Ottoman rule the Greeks rebelled and won their independence. A member of the European Union since 1981, it is economically and politically powerful, with strong economic growth. It is also a popular tourism destination because of its many beautiful islands and beaches.