Greece: Difference between revisions

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	{{otheruses}}
	{{redirect\|Hellas}}
	{{Infobox Country
	\|native_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> Ελληνική Δημοκρατία <br/>''Ellīnikī́ Dīmokratía''</span>
	\|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Hellenic Republic</span>
	\|common_name = Greece
	\|image_flag = Flag of Greece.svg
	\|image_coat = COA of Greece.svg
	\|symbol_type = National emblem
	\|image_coat_caption = National emblem
	\|image_map = Location Greece EU Europe.png
	\|national_motto = {{lang\|el\|Ελευθερία ή θάνατος}}<br/>{{lang\|el\|'']''}}{{spaces\|2}}<small>(])<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 (Ímnos is tin Eleftherían) ]
	\|official_languages = ]
	\|demonym = ]
	\|capital = ]
	\|latd=38 \|latm=00 \|latNS=N \|longd=23 \|longm=43 \|longEW=E
	\|largest_city = capital
	\|government_type = ]ary ]
	\|leader_title1 = ]
	\|leader_name1 = ]
	\|leader_title2 = ]
	\|leader_name2 = ]
	\|leader_title3 = ]
	\|leader_name3 = ]
	\|sovereignty_type = Formation
	\|established_event1 = First known Greek civilizations<sup>1</sup>
	\|established_date1 = <br/>]3000 BC
	\|established_event2 = Last previously independent state²
	\|established_date2 = <br/>1461
	\|established_event3 = Independence from<br/>the ]
	\|established_date3 = <br/>] ]
	\|established_event4 = Recognized
	\|established_date4 = ] ], at the ]
	\|accessionEUdate = ] ]
	\|EUseats = 24
	\|area_rank = 96th
	\|area_magnitude = 1 E11
	\|area_km2 = 131,990
	\|area_sq_mi = 50,944 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
	\|percent_water = 0.8669
	\|population_estimate = 11,170,957
	\|population_estimate_rank = 74th
	\|population_estimate_year = 2007
	\|population_census = 10,964,020
	\|population_census_year = 2001
	\|population_density_km2 = 84
	\|population_density_sq_mi = 218 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
	\|population_density_rank = 108th
	\|GDP_PPP = $305.595 ] <!--IMF-->
	\|GDP_PPP_rank = 36th
	\|GDP_PPP_year = 2007 ]
	\|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $27,360
	\|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 27th
	\|GDP_nominal = $341.826 ]
	\|GDP_nominal_rank = 27th
	\|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 ]
	\|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $30,603
	\|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 24th
	\|HDI = {{increase}} 0.921
	\|HDI_rank = 24th
	\|HDI_year = 2004
	\|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>
	\|Gini = 35.4<sup>4</sup>
	\|Gini_year = 2000
	\|Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font>
	\|currency = ] (])³
	\|currency_code = EUR
	\|country_code =
	\|time_zone = ]
	\|utc_offset = +2
	\|time_zone_DST = ]
	\|utc_offset_DST = +3
	\|cctld = ]<sup>5</sup>
	\|calling_code = 30
	\|footnote1 = ] and ] civilizations.
	\|footnote2 = ].
	\|footnote3 = Prior to 2001: ].
	\|footnote4 = UNU/Wider World Income Inequality Database.
	\|footnote5 = The ] domain is also used, as it is shared with other ] member states.
	}}

	'''Greece''' ({{lang-el\|Ελλάδα}} {{IPA\|}} or Ελλάς {{IPA\|}}), officially the '''Hellenic Republic''' (Greek: Ελληνική Δημοκρατία {{IPA\|}}),<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 ] in Southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the ]. It borders ], the ] and ] to the north, and ] to the east. The ] lies to the east and south of mainland Greece, while the ] lies to the west. Both parts of the Eastern ] basin feature a vast number of ].

	Greece lies LA GRECE C DE LA MARDE at the juncture FRANCOIS LALUMIERE A ECRIT CECI of ], ], and ]. It is heir to the heritages of ], the ],<ref>Sir Steven Runciman, ''The Fall of Constantinople''</ref> and nearly four centuries of ] rule.<ref>"Greece." ]. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 6 Sept. 2006 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9106266>.</ref> Regarded as the cradle of ] and the birthplace of ],<ref>Finley, M. I. Democracy Ancient and Modern. 2d ed., 1985. London: Hogarth.</ref> Western ],<ref> History of Philosophy, Volume 1 by Frederick Copleston</ref> the ], ], ], major scientific principles and ]<ref>Brockett, Oscar G. History of the Theatre. sixth ed., 1991. Boston; London: Allyn and Bacon.</ref> including both ] and ], Greece has a particularly long and eventful history and a cultural heritage considerably influential in ] and the ], and fundamentally formative for the culture of ] and what may be called the West.

	Modern Greece is a ], a member of the ] 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 ] since 2001, ] since 1952, the ] 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 ] since 1995, and ] 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> ] is the capital; ], ], ], ] and ] are some of the country's other major cities.

	==History==
	{{main\|History of Greece}}
	===Antiquity===
	{{see\|Ancient Greece\|Roman Greece}}
	] in ].]]

	The shores of Greece's ] saw the emergence of the first advanced civilizations in Europe whose impact is inseparable from today's western institutions and western cultural and political development. In the wake of the ] and ] civilizations, there emerged across the Greek peninsula and islands ''poleis'', or city-states, each with their own distinct social and governmental infrastructure, uniting under ] and ] to repel ] advance. The conditions had been created for the flowering of Athens and birth of ] civilization, drawing to a close only with the culmination of the perennial conflict between Athens and Sparta, the ]. Within a century the Greek tribes had been united under the rule of ] to roll back ] gains and herald the ] era, itself brought only partially to a close with the establishment of ] rule in 146 BC.

	Although the establishment of Roman rule did not break the continuity of Hellenistic society and culture, which remained essentially unchanged until the advent of ], it marked the end of Greek political independence. Rome enthusiastically took up Hellenic culture and it thus became a major influence throughout the empire. The Greek peninsula became a province of ], while Greek language and culture continued to dominate the eastern ].

	===Byzantine Era===
	{{see\|Byzantine Greece}}
	] Emperor ]. Mosaic at the ] cathedral, ] (]).]]
	When the ] finally split in two (during the late third century), the ] centered around ] (known as Byzantium before Constantine 1 renamed it in 330), remained Hellenistic in nature, and came to be known as the "Empire of the Greeks" or "Greece" to its western European contemporaries. The eleventh and twelfth centuries are said to have been the Golden Age of Byzantine art in Greece, while the crusading epochs between 1204 and 1458 saw Greece hit by a series of non-Orthodox armies such as ] in the name of religion. The Greek-Byzantine states persisted, nevertheless, and were centered in the Greek peninsula. The Latin clashes of the 13th century gave birth to a form of modern Greek proto-nationalism in ], and Constantinople was consciously an ethnic Greek city when it fell on ], ].<ref>S. Runciman, The fall of Constantinople</ref>

	===Ottoman Era===
	{{see\|Ottoman Greece}}

	While the ] were completing the main conquest of the Greek mainland, two Greek migrations occurred. The first saw the Greek intelligentsia migrate to ] (especially to ]) and was a significant factor in the advent of the ]. The second migration of Greeks left the plains of the Greek peninsula and resettled in the mountains, the islands of the Aegean and other Greek regions where the Ottomans were unable to create a permanent military and administrative presence. As a result, some Greek mountain clans across the peninsula, as well as some islands, were able to maintain a status of independence. The ] system contributed to the ethnic cohesion of Orthodox Greeks by segregating the various peoples within the ] based on religion. Eventually, religion played an integral part in the formation of modern Greek and other post-Ottoman national identities.

	{{clear}}
	===Establishment of the modern Greek state===
	{{see\|History of modern Greece\|Greek War of Independence}}
	]

	In March 1821, the Greeks ] against the Ottoman Empire. Their struggle lasted until 1829, when the independence of the nascent Greek state was finally recognised under the ], although the Ottomans delayed recognition until the ] of 1832. In 1827, the Russian ex-minister of foreign affairs, ] (Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας), a noble Greek from the ], was chosen as the governor of the new Republic. However, the ] soon dissolved that republic and installed a ]], convening as Prime Minister ] gives a speech, during the late nineteenth century.]]. The first king, ], was of the Bavarian ]. The War of Independence also set in motion the establishment of major new cities and centres of trade such as ], Athens and Pireaus. In 1843 King Otto was forced, as a result of an uprising, to grant his subjects a constitution and a representative assembly. He was deposed in 1863 and replaced by Prince Vilhelm (William) of Denmark, of the ] line of the ], who took the name ] and brought with him the ] as a coronation gift from ]. On 29 March 1864, the Treaty of London pledged the transfer of sovereignty to Greece upon ratification. Thus, on May 28, by proclamation of the Lord High Commissioner, the Ionian Islands were united with Greece.

	Greece was growing economically, whilst becoming politically more liberal. In 1877, Prime Minister ] curbed the power of the monarchy to interfere in the Assembly. This period was punctuated by the undertaking of one of the largest construction initiatives on the European continent, one of significant commercial importance; the creation of the ], lasting from 1881 to 1893. In 1896 the ] were revived in ], and hailed as a success.
	{{clear}}

	===Territorial expansion and internal turmoil===
	As a result of the ], ], ], ], most of ] and southern ], including ], were incorporated into Greece. ], monarch for five decades, was assassinated in Thessaloniki in 1913; he was succeeded by his eldest son, ]. His struggle with Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos over Greece's entry into the ] resulted in Greece's joining the ] against Germany and Austria and the later abdication of King Constantine in favour of his son, ], but left Greece divided into two bitterly hostile political camps for decades (see ]). At that time, a part of ] centered around the city of ] (known today as ]) still retained a large Greek population. The area was awarded to Greece by the Great Powers as a reward for having sided with the entente powers in ] against the Ottoman Empire. Three years later, Turkish nationalists led by ] denounced the Sultan's government in ] and formed a new one in ], eventually re-establishing control over Asia Minor (]).

	Following the withdrawal of Greek forces, the destruction of Smyrna and the displacement of thousands of Greeks from the city, a new government was established in Greece. Soon afterwards, the ] was signed, fixing the Greco-Turkish borders to this date. A population exchange was included in the agreement and immediately afterwards around five hundred thousand Muslims, then living in mainland Greece went to Turkey in exchange for more than 1.22 million Greek residents of Asia Minor (excluding ], ] and ]). From 1924 a succession of unstable governments continued until 1935, when a referendum was held, resulting in an overwhelming majority in favour of restoring the ] in the person of ]. In 1936, General ] established an authoritarian conservative ] in Greece, known as the ].

	===Greece during World War II (1940-1944)===
	{{see\|Military history of Greece during World War II\|Axis Occupation of Greece during WWII\|Consequences of German Nazism\|Battle of Greece}}
	] (left), with King ], Crown Prince ] and Commander-in-Chief General ].]]

	In the early hours of ], ], ] dictator ] demanded that Greece surrender all its arms and allow the ] troops to invade the country; the administration then gave what became known as the simple negative response of “No” (see ]), thereby siding with the ]. Italian troops immediately began ] the country from southern ]. However, they were checked by the significantly smaller Greek Army, signalling the Allies' first major victory on land against the Axis powers. A prolonged period of fierce fighting in the ] mountains followed, in which Mussolini's forces were successfully pushed back. ] and his generals realized that their strategic southern flank needed to be secured more effectively so German forces, whose ranks included troops from ] and ], invaded.

	The ] began on ], ] and led to the complete ] of the country. ] to the occupation was fierce, often with bitter retaliation from the occupiers. The Greek resistance in 1940-41 however, is believed to have forced a delay in German plans to initiate ], thereby extending the campaign into the punishing Russian winter. Meanwhile the extremely heavy losses suffered by German paratroop forces (5000) in the ] foiled a planned German campaign in the ] against British-held Iraq and its oil fields. Germany retained its disastrous grip on the country until ], ] when its troops finally withdrew after the landing of Allied Forces in Athens. The Jewish communities of Greece, especially of Thessaloniki, suffered the heaviest toll in the ], ca. 300,000 Greeks died of famine and the country's economy languished.

	===Post-war era (1944-1966)===
	{{see\|Greek Civil War}}
	] ]: An ] tank standing in front of the Athens Polytechnic School, moments before the bloody end to the ].]]
	] ]: ] arrives in Athens on the French Presidential jet, courtesy of French President ], to assume the leadership of government of national unity that would lead to free elections. He is greeted by jubilant crowds of supporters craving for the restoration of democratic rule.]]

	After liberation from ], Greece experienced an equally bitter ], caused by differences that emerged between left-wing and right-wing resistance forces. Civil war began between the ] and right-wing forces which now had the support of the ] and lasted until 1949, when leftwing forces were defeated in the Battle of Grammos-Vitsi. During the 1950s and 1960s, Greece experienced a gradual and significant economic growth, also aided by grants and loans by the ] through the ].

	===Regime of the Colonels (1967-1974)===
	{{see\|Greek military junta of 1967-1974}}

	In 1965, a period of political turbulence and uncertainty began which led to a coup d’etat against the elected government and ] on ], ]. In their place, a US-supported ], known as the ], was established. In the ensuing years, a number of sympathisers of the left, as well as a number of politicians and communists, were arrested and brutally tortured by the members of the regime. Many politicians evaded capture and found political refuge elsewhere in Europe, such as ] and ]. The then head of state, King Constantine, had officially acknowledged the new regime, which was then duly recognized by the international community, so diplomatic relations continued. However, the King subsequently attempted a failed counter-coup in December 1967, after which the former head of state went into exile in Rome. In November 1973 the ] sent shockwaves across the regime, but the junta was not suppressed until ], ]. On that day, ] invaded the predominately Greek island of ], allegedly to protect the island's Turkish minority from a junta-sponsored coup d'etat. The developing crisis led to the collapse of the Regime of the Colonels on ], ].

	===Modern Era (1975-present)===
	Ex-Premier Constantine Karamanlis was immediately invited back from Paris, where he had resided since 1963. Marking the beginning of the ] era of modern Greek history, the plane carrying Constantine Karamanlis landed in ] in the early hours of ], amidst massive celebrations and enormous crowds, extending from the capital's ] to ]; Karamanlis was immediately appointed as the interim prime minister under President Gizikis and founded the conservative ] party, going on to win the ensuing elections by a large margin. Democratic rule was finally restored in its birthplace and a democratic republican constitution activated in 1975. The monarchy was abolished by a referendum held that same year, denying King Constantine II and his family any access to the country until 2004. Meanwhile, another prominent figure of the past, Andreas Papandreou, had also returned from the United States and had already founded the Panhellenic Socialist Party, or ].

	] hosted the ].]]

	Karamanlis won the 1977 parliamentary elections but resigned in 1980 giving way to ]. Papandreou, however, won the elections held on ], ] by a landslide and formed the first ] government in Greece's history. Papandreou dominated the Greek political stage for almost 15 years (excepted only by the 1990-1993 period when ] of the ] party won elections), until his death in ], ]. By that time ], one of many prominent political figures of PASOK, had already succeeded the ailing and hospitalized Papandreou as the new Prime Minister. Following a long period of diplomatic tension and the threat of a military confrontation (see ]), relations with neighbouring Turkey have improved substantially over the last decade, since successive earthquakes hit both nations in the summer of 1999. Rapprochement came about through what became known as ] and today Greece is an active supporter of Turkey's effort to be accepted by the European Union as a full member, under the assumption that it addresses humanitarian issues. Prime Minister Simitis remained in office until ], ] when Kostas Karamanlis of the conservative ] party and a nephew of ], won the parliamentary elections. Greece became the tenth member of the ] on ] ] 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 ] in 2001 and successfully organised the ] in ].

	==Government and politics==
	{{main\|Politics of Greece\|List of political parties in Greece}}
	], the current ].]]

	Greece is a ].<ref name="con1"></ref> The ] is the ], who is elected by the ] for a five-year term.<ref name="con30"></ref> After the ] 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 current ] was drawn up and adopted by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes and entered into force in 1975 after the fall of the ]. It has been revised twice since, in 1986 and in ]. The Constitution, which consists of 120 articles, provides for a ] into ], ], and ]es, and grants extensive specific guarantees (further reinforced in 2001) of ] and ].<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 ];<ref name="con26"></ref> after 1986, however, the role of the President in the executive branch is ceremonial.<ref name="M477-478" /> The position of ], Greece's ], belongs to the ] of the ] that can obtain the confidence of a plurality in 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"></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 ].<ref name="con51,53"></ref> Statutes passed by the Parliament are promulgated by the President of the Republic.<ref name="con42"></ref> 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"></ref> The President is also obliged to dissolve the Parliament earlier, if the opposition manages to pass a ].<ref name="con84"></ref>

	The ] is independent of the executive and the legislature and comprises three Supreme Courts: the ] (Άρειος Πάγος), the ] (Συμβούλιο της Επικρατείας) and the ] (Ελεγκτικό Συνέδριο). The Judiciary system is also composed of civil courts, which judge civil and penal cases and administrative courts, which judge administrative cases, namely disputes between the citizens and the State.

	Since the restoration of democracy the party system is dominated by the liberal-conservative ] and the socialist ] (PASOK). Non-negligible parties include the ], the ] and the ].

	On ], ], ], president of the New Democracy party and nephew of the late ] was elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece, thus marking his party's first electoral victory in nearly eleven years. Karamanlis took over government from ] of PASOK, who had been in office since January 1996, replacing the ailing ] who died on ], ]. Kostas Karamanlis won a second term on ], ], however his party acquired a slimmer majority in the ] gaining only 152 out of 300 seats.

	===Peripheries and prefectures===
	{{main\|Peripheries of Greece\|Prefectures of Greece\|}}

	Administratively, Greece consists of fourteen peripheries subdivided into a total of fifty-four prefectures ({{lang\|el\|''nomoi''}}, singular {{lang\|el\|'']''}}). There is also one ], ] ({{lang\|el\|''Agio Oros''}}, "Holy Mountain"), in ] Periphery.

	{\| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%"
	\|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:left"
	!width="40px"\| Map !! ] !!width="140px"\| ] !!width="80px"\| ] !!width="80px"\| ] !!width="80px"\| ] </tr>
	\| rowspan=15 \| ]
	\|-
	\| 1 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|3,808 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|3,841,408
	\|-
	\| 2 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|15,549 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|614,614
	\|-
	\| 3 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\|style="text-align:right"\|18,811 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|1,931,870
	\|-
	\| 4 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|6,336 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|623,666
	\|-
	\| 5 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|14,157 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|623,248
	\|-
	\| 6 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\|style="text-align:right"\|9,203 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|358,698
	\|-
	\| 7 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|2,307 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|220,097
	\|-
	\| 8 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|3,836 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|208,151
	\|-
	\| 9 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|15,490 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\| 650,310
	\|-
	\| 10 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|5,286 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|320,001
	\|-
	\| 11 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|14.037 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|760,714
	\|-
	\| 12 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|11,350 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|753,267
	\|-
	\| 13 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|9,451 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|303,857
	\|-
	\| - \|\| ] (Autonomous) \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|390 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|2,250
	\|}

	==Geography==
	{{main\|Geography of Greece}}
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	\|}

	Greece consists of a mountainous and craggy mainland jutting out into the sea at the southern end of the ], the ] peninsula (separated from the mainland by the canal of the ]), and ] (around 2,000), including ], ], ], ], the ] and the ] groups of the ] as well as the ] islands. Greece has the ] in the world with 14,880 km; its land boundary is 1,160 km (721 mi).

	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 ] mountain range. Pindus has a maximum elevation of 2,636 metres (8,648 ft) and it is essentially a prolongation of the ].

	The range continues through the western ], crosses the islands of ] and Antikythera and find its way into southwestern Aegean, in the island of ] 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 ] formation consisting of high, steep boulders provides a breathtaking experience for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the area each year. Special lifts transfer visitors to the scenic monasteries that lie on top of those rocks.

	] formation in central Greece.]]
	] (2917 m/9570 ft) from the town of ].]]

	Meteora is situated in the ] prefecture. The Vikos-Aoos Gorge is yet another spectacular formation. The Vikos-Aoos Gorge is a popular hotspot for those fond of extreme sports. ] is the highest mountain in the country, located in the southwestern ] prefecture, near ]. Mytikas in the Olympus range has a height of 2,920 m (9,570 ft) at its highest peak. Once considered the throne of the Gods, it is today extremely popular among hikers and climbers who deem its height as a challenge. Moreover, northeastern Greece features yet another high altitude mountain range, the Rhodope range, spreading across the periphery of ]; this area is covered with vast, thick, ancient forests. The famous Dadia forest is in the prefecture of ], in the far northeast of the country.

	Expansive plains are primarily located in the prefectures of ], ] and ]. They constitute key economic regions as they are among the few arable places in the country. ] and ] are the two largest cities of Thessaly. Rare marine species such as the Pinniped Seals and the ] live in the seas surrounding mainland Greece, while its dense forests are home to the endangered ], the ], the ] and the Wild Goat.

	===Climate===
	{{main\|Climate of Greece}}
	] (Beach of ], ]).]]

	The climate of Greece can be categorised into three types 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 (] of the mountains). The three distinct types are the Mediterranean, the Alpine and the Temperate types. The first one 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. 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 (], ], ], ]) as well as in the central parts of ], including the prefectures of ], ] and parts of ], where extensions of the Pindus mountain range pass by). Finally, the Temperate type affects ] and ]; it features cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers. Athens is located in a transitional area featuring both the Mediterranean and the Temperate types. It averages about 16 inches of rain annually. 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}}
	] in commemoration of the ].]]

	Greece operates a ] economy that produced a GDP of $251.7 billion in 2006.<ref name=ciaecon>{{cite web \|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html#Econ \|title=World Factbook: Greece \|publisher=www.cia.gov \|work=CIA \|date=2007-03-15 \|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> The principal economic activities mainly include the 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/>

	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 ], 22nd on ]'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 it has an average per capita income that has been estimated at $27,360<ref>{{cite web \|title=IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2007. \|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/dbginim.cfm \|accessdate=2007-04-08 \|publisher=www.imf.org \|work=International Monetary Fund \|date=2007-04}}</ref> for the year 2007, or around 93% of the EU average.

	Greece's present prosperity is largely owed to the post-World War II "]" (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. The latter facts have contributed to a consistent annual growth of the Greek GDP that was surpassing the respective one of most other ] partners. <ref>http://www.elke.gr/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=765</ref>

	Today, the ] (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). In 2005, Greece welcomed almost 18 million visitors and in 2006 that figure almost reached 20 million.

	The Greek banking & finance sector is also an important source of revenue and employment and Greek banks have invested heavily in the Balkan region. 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.

	===Greek Maritime Industry===
	{{see\|Greek shipping\|List of ports in Greece}}
	]'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.<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>. Given that Greece is a peninsula, shipping in ancient times was the natural way for Greeks to reach their neighboring people, trade with them and expand by establishing colonies. Today, shipping is one of the country's most important industries. It accounts for 4.5% of ], 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 ] and ].<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 ] when Greek shipping businessmen were able to amass surplus ships sold to them by the ] Government through the Ship Sales Act of the 1940s.<ref name=slate/>

	According to the ], 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 ] 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 ] and dry bulk carriers, fourth in the number of 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===
	] near the city of ] is the longest ] in the world. It connects the ] with mainland Greece.]]

	Because of its strategic location, qualified workforce and political and economic stability, many multinational companies, such as ], ], ], ], ] have their regional R&D Headquarters in Greece.

	The of the 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.

	In 2001, there were 55,626 researchers (from 30,500 in 1993)in such fields as telecommunications, microelectronics, multimedia, computer science, computer networks and software engineering, attracting the interest of many multinational companies and producing an increasing number of high quality publications. Of that number, approximately 33,507 were employed in Higher Education Foundations, 13,100 by private companies, 8,800 in State-owned Research Centres and approximately 200 in non-profit private research centres.

	Greece's technology parks with incubator facilities include (Heraklion), the , the and the .

	Greece has been a member of the ] (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 ] Initiative.

	==Demographics==
	{{main\|Demographics of Greece}}
	] port in the island of ] is the capital of the ].]]
	The official Statistical body of Greece is the (NSSG). According to the NSSG, Greece's total population in 2005 was 11,082,752, of whom 5,486,632 were males and 5,596,119 females. As statistics from 1971, 1981 and 2001 show, the Greek population has been aging the past several decades. 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. In 1971 the figures were 10.92%, 63.72% and 25.36% respectively. Greek society has also rapidly changed with the passage of time. For example, 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. Divorce rates on the other hand, have seen an everlasting and accelerating increase – from 89.2 per 1,000 marriages in 1981 to 191 per 1,000 marriages in 2002. Almost two-thirds of the Greek people live in urban areas. Greece's largest cities in 2001 were: Athens (3,361,806), Thessaloniki (800,764), Patra (185,626), Iraklio (144,642), Volos (124,591), and Larissa (124,394).

	===Minorities===
	{{main\|Minorities in Greece}}

	The only minority in Greece which receives special treatment is the ] (Μουσουλμανική μειονότητα) in Thrace, which amounts to approximately 0.95% of the total population. Its members are predominantly of ], ] and ] ethnic origins. Other recognized ethnic minorities include approximately 35,000 ] and 5,500 ].

	===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 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 ] nationals and 17,426 Cypriots with privileged status. 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 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 – but reaching only 7% of local population. After this, the predominant areas of location are the Athens environs.

	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===
	] ] in ] peninsula, northern Greece.]]
	]. The bell tower of the church of ] can be seen in the background.]]

	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 majority of Greek citizens (97%) identify themselves as ]<ref name=religion>{{cite web \|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71383.htm \|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2006: 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>, and most of them celebrate at least the main religious feasts, especially Pascha (Greek Orthodox Easter).

	The Greek Government does not keep statistics on religious groups and censuses do not ask for religious affiliation.<ref name=religion/> ] has ] in present-day Greece for more than 2000 years. ] had made such a large presence in the city of ] that their traditional language, ], had been spoken by the non-Jews of the city as well. Few Greek Jews survived ], and today the Jewish community as estimated to be around 5,000. Estimates of the recognised ], 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.<ref name=religion/> In an address to the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece on ] ] Archbishop ] stated: "Today more than 500,000 Muslims live in our country."<ref>''Εκκλησία'', Official Gazette of the Church of Greece, October 2006, page 737</ref>

	Greek members of ] faith (including both ] and ]) 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 ] report having 30,000 active members.<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/> ] including Evangelicals at about 30,000.<ref name=religion2/><ref name=religion/> ] and other ] denominations are about 12,000.<ref></ref> ] can also be found with 420 followers,<ref name=religion/> and ] with 500 followers.<ref name=religion/> The long-standing ] community numbers approximately 5,500 followers.<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/>

	] has also reappeared,<ref name="Polytheist Comeback"> CNN, http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/21/ancient.gods.ap/index.html</ref> with 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>. Some of these Greek religionists have made claims that they are not reconstructionists but are just people ]<ref name="I Still Worship Zeus">http://www.superfectafilms.com/</ref>.

	In the ] - 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 ] members behind ] and ].<ref name=eurostat/>

	===Education===
	{{main\|Education in Greece}}
	].]]
	], a famous ] ] ] of the 3rd century BC.]]

	Compulsory education in Greece comprises ]s (Δημοτικό Σχολείο, ''Dimotikó Scholeio'') and ] (Γυμνάσιο). ]s (Παιδικός σταθμός, ''Paidikós Stathmós'') and ]s (Νηπιαγωγείο, ''Nipiagogeío'') are popular but not compulsory. Children start primary school aged 6 and remain there for six years. Some primary schools are "all-day", offering an extended timetable and enriched syllabus. 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 ]s (Ενιαίο Λύκειο, ''Eniaia Lykeia'') and ]-] 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.

	Public higher education is divided into ], "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 ] through a form of lottery.

	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:

	]{{·}} ] {{·}} ] {{·}} ] (in Thessaloniki) {{·}} ] {{·}}] {{·}} ] {{·}} ] {{·}} ] (across the ]) {{·}} ] {{·}} ] {{·}} ] {{·}} ] {{·}} ] {{·}} ]{{·}} ] (across the ])

	==Culture==
	{{main\|Culture of Greece\|List of Greeks}}
	], one of Greece's greatest actresses, singers and politicians, served as a Minister of Culture for over a decade.]]

	Greek culture evolved over several thousand years, with its earliest known civilization being in ], continuing into ], the birth of the ] and through the influence of the ] and its ]ern successor the ]. The ] also had a significant influence on Greek culture, but the ] is credited for the revitalization Greece and establishing a single sovereign single entity (though notably smaller), of its multi-faceted culture throughout the ages.

	Notably ] is known as "the cradle of ]".

	===Sports===
	The ] is the reigning ] having won the ].<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> In the final, the team managed to beat their ] by 1-0.<ref name=Euro2004/> They are as of March ranked 15th in the ],<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-Apr-2007,00.html \|title=FIFA World Rankings \|publisher=www.fifa.com \|work=FIFA \|accessdate=2007-05-07 \|date=April 2007 }}</ref> and are currently first in their ] group. The ] is the highest professional football league in the country. Currently sixteen clubs compete in that league, playing each other twice, once at home and once away. At the end of each season, the bottom three clubs are relegated to the Second National League only to be replaced by the top three teams from that particular league. The top three most known football clubs are ], ],and ].

	The men's ] actually is more successful with a decades long tradition of excellence. 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 have won the ] twice, once in ] and again in ],<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 ]s (], ], ]) taking second place in 2006. They currently are ranked 5th in the world.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/p/openNodeIDs/943/selNodeID/943/rankMen.html \|title=FIBA World Rankings \|accessdate=2007-05-07 \|date=2007 \|publisher=www.fiba.com \|work=FIBA}}</ref> The domestic Greek basketball league, ] is composed of fourteen teams. The most successful Greek teams are ], ], ], ] and ].

	==International Rankings==
	{\| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
	\|-
	! Organization
	! Survey
	! Ranking
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ] 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
	\|-
	\| '']''
	\| 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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ](])<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>
	\| 27 out of 180
	\|-
	\| ]/'']''
	\| ]<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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ] 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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ] 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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ]<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
	\|-
	\| ]/]
	\| ] 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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| 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
	\|-
	\| ] / ]
	\| 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
	\|}

	==Armed Forces==
	The Hellenic Armed Forces are overseen by the ''']''' (Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Άμυνας - ΓΕΕΘΑ) and consists of three branches:

	<gallery>
	Image:GES Greece.PNG\|]
	Image:Haf.PNG\|]
	Image:GEN Greece.PNG\|]
	</gallery>

	==See also==
	{{portal\|Greece\|Flag of Greece.svg}}
	{{Topics in Greece}}

	==Notes==
	{{reflist\|2}}

	==References==
	<div class="references-small">
	*{{cite book \|last=Dagtoglou \|first=P.D. \|title= Constitutional Law — Individual Rights — 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}}
	</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===
	* {{en}}
	* {{en}}
	* {{en}}
	*
	* — information and links related to Greece from the ministry of foreign affairs
	* (embassies, consulates, representations)
	*
	*
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	===Other===
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Revision as of 15:12, 12 October 2007