Greece: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 16:41, 22 May 2008 view sourceBranStark (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers23,714 editsm Reverted edits by 24.222.75.218 (talk) to last version by 86.135.237.220← Previous edit		Revision as of 16:55, 22 May 2008 view source 169.199.43.157 (talk) ←Blanked the pageNext edit →
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{otheruses}}
	{{redirect\|Hellas}}
	{{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=]\|region_color=dark grey\|subregion=the ]\|subregion_color=light green\|legend=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 <br/>''Ýmnos eis tīn Eleutherían''<br/>]<sup>1</sup>
	\|official_languages = ]
	\|demonym = ]
	\|capital = ]
	\|latd=38 \|latm=00 \|latNS=N \|longd=23 \|longm=43 \|longEW=E
	\|largest_city = Athens
	\|government_type = ]
	\|leader_title1 = ]
	\|leader_name1 = ]
	\|leader_title2 = ]
	\|leader_name2 = ]
	\|sovereignty_type = Modern statehood
	\|established_event1 = Independence from<br/>the ]
	\|established_date1 = <br/>] ]
	\|established_event2 = Recognized
	\|established_date2 = ] ], in the ]
	\|established_event3 = Current constitution
	\|established_date3 = 1975, ]
	\|accessionEUdate = ] ]
	\|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 ]-->
	\|percent_water = 0.8669
	\|population_estimate = 11,216,708<ref name="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: </ref>
	\|population_census_year = 2001
	\|population_density_km2 = 84
	\|population_density_sq_mi = 218 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
	\|population_density_rank = 88<sup>th</sup>
	\|GDP_PPP = ]412.521 ] <!--IMF-->
	\|GDP_PPP_rank = 31<sup>st</sup>
	\|GDP_PPP_year = 2008 ]
	\|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $36,983
	\|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 17<sup>th</sup>
	\|GDP_nominal = ]388.332 billion
	\|GDP_nominal_rank = 27<sup>th</sup>
	\|GDP_nominal_year = 2008 ]
	\|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $34,814
	\|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 23<sup>rd</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 = ] (])<sup>3</sup>
	\|currency_code = EUR
	\|country_code =
	\|time_zone = ]
	\|utc_offset = +2
	\|time_zone_DST = ]
	\|utc_offset_DST = +3
	\|cctld = ]<sup>4</sup>
	\|calling_code = 30
	\|footnote1 = Also the national anthem of ].
	\|footnote2 = UNU/Wider World Income Inequality Database.
	\|footnote3 = Before 2001: ].
	\|footnote4 = The ] domain is also used, as it is shared with other ] member states.
	}}

	'''Greece''' ({{lang-el\|Ελλάδα, Elláda}}, {{IPA2\|ɛˈlaða}}, or Ελλάς, ''Ellás'', {{IPA\|}}), officially the '''Hellenic Republic''' ,<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 has borders with ], 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 at the juncture of ], ] and ]. It is heir to the heritages of ], the ] and ]s,<ref>Sir Steven Runciman, Conclusion, ''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> Greece is 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 ], ] and ], ], major scientific and ] principles, and Western ]<ref>Brockett, Oscar G. History of the Theatre. sixth ed., 1991. Boston; London: Allyn and Bacon.</ref> including both ] and ].

	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}}

	] in ].]]



	The shores of seamen sea saw the emergence of the first advanced civilizations in Europe, the ] civilization in Crete and the ] civilization on the mainland. Later, ] emerged across the Greek peninsula and spread to the shores of ], ] and ] reaching great levels of prosperity that resulted in an unprecedented cultural boom, expressed in ], ], ] and ], and nurtured in ] under a ] environment. ] and ] led the way in repelling the ] in a series of ]. Both were later overshadowed by ] and eventually ], with the latter under the guidance of ] uniting and leading the Greek world to victory over the ], to presage the ], itself brought only partially to a close two centuries later with the establishment of ] rule over Greek lands in 146 BC.

	The subsequent mixture of ] and ] cultures took form in the establishment of the ] in 330 AD around ], which remained a major cultural and military force for the next 1,123 years until ] at the hands of ] in 1453. On the eve of the Ottoman era the Greek intelligentsia migrated to ], playing a significant role in the ] through the transferring of works of ] to ].<ref>http://www.economist.com/diversions/millennium/displaystory.cfm?story_id=346800</ref> Nevertheless, the ] system contributed to the ethnic cohesion of Orthodox people by segregating the various peoples within the ] based on religion as the latter played an integral role in the formation of modern Greek identity.

	After the ], successfully fought against the ] from 1821 to 1829, the nascent Greek state was finally recognized under the ]. In 1827, ], a noble Greek from the ], was chosen as the first governor of the new Republic. However, following his assassination, the ] soon installed a ] under ], of the Bavarian ]. 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 ] and brought with him the ] as a coronation gift from ]. In 1877, ], 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 ] to any potential ].

	] ]: ], blessing the ] at ]. Theodoros Vryzakis, 1865.]]

	As a result of the ], Greece successfully increased the extent of her territory and population, a challenging context both socially and economically. In the following years, the struggle between ] and charismatic prime minister ] over the country's foreign policy on the eve of ] dominated the country's political scene, and divided the country into ].

	In the aftermath of WW I, Greece ] against Turkish nationalists led by ], a war which resulted in a massive population exchange between the two countries under the ]. Instability and successive ]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 ] ] ] demanded the surrender of Greece, but the Greek dictator ] famously responded to the Italian ultimatum with the single word "OXI" ("No"). In the following ], Greece repelled Italian forces into ], giving the ] their first victory over ] forces on land. The country would eventually fall to urgently dispatched German forces during the ], but the occupiers nevertheless met serious challenges from the ].

	After liberation, Greece experienced a bitter ] between ] and ] forces, which led to economic devastation and severe social tensions between its ] and largely Communist ] 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 ].

	In 1965, a period of political turbulence led to a coup d’etat on ] ] by the US-backed ]. On November 1973 the ] sent shock waves across the regime, and a counter-coup established ] ] as dictator. On ] ], as ] ] the island of ], the regime collapsed.

	] ]: ] arrives in Athens courtesy of French President ]]]

	Ex-Premier ] was invited back from ] where he had lived in self-exile since 1963, marking the beginning of the ] era; a 1975 democratic republican constitution was activated and the monarchy abolished by a referendum held that same year. Meanwhile, ] founded the Panhellenic Socialist Party, or ], in response to ]' ] party, with the two political formations dominating Greek political affairs in the ensuing decades. 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}}
	]
	] (1864-1936), one of the greatest political figures of modern 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 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"></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 ].<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 social-democratic ] (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. 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\|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\|'']''}}). There is also one ], ] ({{lang\|el\|''Agio Oros''}}, "Holy Mountain"), which borders the periphery of ].

	{\| 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"\|3,761,810
	\|-
	\| 2 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|15,549 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|605,329
	\|-
	\| 3 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\|style="text-align:right"\|18,811 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|1,871,952
	\|-
	\| 4 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|8,259 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|601,131
	\|-
	\| 5 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|14,157 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|611,067
	\|-
	\| 6 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\|style="text-align:right"\|9,203 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|353,820
	\|-
	\| 7 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|2,307 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|212,984
	\|-
	\| 8 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|3,836 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|206,121
	\|-
	\| 9 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|15,490 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|638,942
	\|-
	\| 10 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|5,286 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|302,686
	\|-
	\| 11 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|14.037 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|753,888
	\|-
	\| 12 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|11,350 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|740,506
	\|-
	\| 13 \|\| ] \|\| ] \|\| style="text-align:right"\|9,451 km²\|\| style="text-align:right"\|301,522
	\|-
	\| - \|\| ] (Autonomous) \|\| ] \|\| 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">]
	<!-- --------------------------------- NATIONS / FLAGS -->
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:18px;top:38px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:90%;left:11px;top:52px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:74px;top:10px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:90%;left:49px;top:22px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:174px;top:2px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:110%;left:160px;top:16px">''']'''</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">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;color:gray;font-size:110%;left:272px;top:150px">''']'''</div>
	<!-- ----------------------------- TOP TOWNS/ISLANDS -->
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:3px;top:254px">''']'''</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">]</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:160px;top:42px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:184px;top:60px"><small>''---'']</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:228px;top:53px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:219px;top:70px"><small>''--'']</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:0px;top:101px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:1px;top:117px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:113px;top:107px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:133px;top:118px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:58px;top:108px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:151px;top:156px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:59px;top:173px"><small>]</small></div>
	<!-- ----CORINTH---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:90px;top:182px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:123px;top:180px">]</div>
	<!-- ----NAFPLION---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:80px;top:202px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:119px;top:192px">]</div>
	<!-- ----SPARTA---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:103px;top:213px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:105px;top:212px">]</div>
	<!-- ----AREOPOLI---- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:89px;top:232px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:105px;top:233px">]</div>
	<!-- ---------- --><div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:137px;top:186px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:111px;top:172px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:148px;top:200px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:204px;top:290px"><small>]</small></div>
	<!-- ---------------------------------------UJRAT -->
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:79px;top:57px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:197px;top:43px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:41px;top:95px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:72px;top:119px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:133px;top:142px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:57px;top:150px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:64px;top:191px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:57px;top:79px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:19px;top:143px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:8px;top:175px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:3px;top:190px">''<small>]-</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:180px;top:88px">''<small>]</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:213px;top:128px">''<small>]</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:211px;top:162px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:252px;top:198px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:180px;top:185px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:189px;top:195px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:205px;top:207px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:225px;top:191px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:254px;top:209px"><small>''--'']</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:220px;top:220px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:181px;top:234px"><small>]</small></div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:159px;top:249px">''<small>]---</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:251px;top:233px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:269px;top:263px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:277px;top:282px">''<small>]</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;left:268px;top:300px">''<small>]</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:105px;top:258px">''<small>]</small>''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:170px;top:322px">''<small><small>]</small></small>''</div>
	<!-- ----------------------------------- SEAS -->
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:194px;top:140px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:214px;top:177px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:185px;top:268px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:80%;left:133px;top:228px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:80%;left:147px;top:237px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:09px;top:208px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:14px;top:223px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:225px;top:319px">''']'''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:100%;left:238px;top:333px">''']'''</div>
	<!-- ----------------------------------- ISLAND GROUPS -->
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:192px;top:305px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:169px;top:105px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:180px;top:117px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:143px;top:217px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:229px;top:247px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:02px;top:151px">''''']'''''</div>
	<div style="position: absolute;font-size:90%;left:01px;top:161px">''''']'''''</div>
	\|}

	Greece consists of a mountainous mainland jutting out into the sea at the southern end of the ], the ] peninsula (separated from the mainland by the ] 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 {{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 ] mountain range. Pindus has a maximum elevation of {{convert\|2636\|m\|ft\|0\|abbr=on}} 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.

	] formation in central Greece.]]
	] ({{convert\|2917\|m\|ft\|0}}) from the town of ].]]

	The Vikos-Aoos Gorge is yet another spectacular formation and a popular hotspot for those fond of extreme sports. ],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 ]; 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.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}}
	] (View from ], the capital of ]).]]

	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 (] of the mountains).The Mediterranean type of climate features mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The Cyclades, the ], ], 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 ] 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.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 $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 ]. 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, according to the ] 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 "]" (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 ] partners.<ref></ref>

	] is one of the top European tourism destinations.]]
	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). Additionally Greek banks have invested heavily in the Balkan region most notably the ] in 2006 acquired 46% of the shares of ] in Turkey and 99.44% of Serbia's ].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}}
	]'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 ], 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 17% of the world's fleet capacity (making it the largest of any other country) with a total ] of 142,000 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 ]s, fourth in the number of ], 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===
	] near the city of ] is the longest ] in Europe and second 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.

	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 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 ] live in urban areas. Greece's largest municipalities in 2001 were: ] (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> ] (363,987),<ref name=cities/> ] (175,697),<ref name=cities/> ] (161,114),<ref name=cities/> ] (133,012),<ref name=cities/> ] (124,786),<ref name=cities/> and ] (82,439).<ref name=cities/>

	===Minorities===
	{{main\|Minorities in Greece}}
	); 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 ] (Μουσουλμανική μειονότητα, ''Mousoulmanikí meionótita'') in Thrace, which amounts to approximately 0.95% of the total population. Its members are predominantly of ], ] and ] ethnic origins. Other recognized minorities include approximately 35,000 ] and 5,500 ].

	There are also a number of linguistic minority groups, whose members speak a non-Greek language in addition to ] and generally identify ethnically as ].<ref>, 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 ], who speak a form of ] known as ]<ref>, </ref> and the ] and ], also known as ], whose languages are closely related to ].

	In northern Greece there are also ]-speaking groups, whose members identify ethnically as Greeks in their majority. Their dialects can be linguistically classified as forms of either ] (locally called ''Slavomacedonian'' or simply ''Slavic''), or ] (distinguished as ''Pomak'' in the case of the Bulgarophone Muslim ]s of ]).<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>

	The lack of official recognition of any minority other than the Muslims of Thrace has attracted criticism from the Greek Helsinki Monitor.<ref>(see The Guardian May 12) Source : Peter Trudgill / Daniel Schreier, Greece and Cyprus / Griechenlandc und Zypern Ammon, Ulrich(Editor). Sociolinguistics. Berlin, , DEU: Mouton de Gruyter (A Division of Walter de Gruyter & Co. KG Publishers), 2006. p 153. Copyright © 2006. Mouton de Gruyter (A Division of Walter de Gruyter & Co. KG Publishers)</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 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 (of non-Greek heritage) 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===
	{{main\|Religion in Greece}}
	], a ] ] 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 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 ]..<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 ] - 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/>

	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. Albanian immigrants to Greece are usually associated with the Muslim faith, although most are ] in orientation .

	] has ] in Greece for more than 2,000 years. ] used to have a large presence in the city of ], but nowadays the Greek-Jewish community who survived ] is estimated to number around 5,500 people.<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/>

	Greek members of ] 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 ] report having 30,000 active members.<ref name=religion/><ref name=religion2/> ] including Evangelicals stand 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/> The ancient Greek religion has also reappeared as ],<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>

	===Education===
	{{main\|Education in Greece}}
	].]]

	Compulsory education in Greece comprises ]s (Δημοτικό Σχολείο, ''Dimotikó Scholeio'') and ] (Γυμνάσιο). ]s (Παιδικός σταθμός, ''Paidikós Stathmós'') are popular but not compulsory. ]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 ]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. The ], coordinated by the ], currently ranks the Greek secondary education as the 38th in the world, being significantly below the OECD average.

	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 ] 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:

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

	==Culture==
	{{main\|Culture of Greece\|List of Greeks}}
	] bearing the infant ], by ], ].]]

	The '''culture of Greece''' has evolved over thousands of years, with its beginnings in ], continuing most notably into ], through the influence of the ] and its ]ern successor the ]. The ] too had a significant influence on Greek culture, but the ] is credited with revitalizing Greece and giving birth to a single entity of its multi-faceted culture throughout the ages.

	===Cuisine===
	{{main\|Greek cuisine}}
	]]]

	] is often cited as an example of the healthy ]. The cuisine of Greece has influences from ], Balkan and ]. Greek cuisine incorporates fresh ingredients into a variety of local dishes such as ], ], ], ] and the world famous ]. Throughout Greece people often enjoy eating from small dishes such as ] with various dips such as ], grilled ] and small ], ], ] (rice, currants and pine kernels wrapped in vine leaves), various ], ]s and ]. ] is added to almost every dish. Sweet desserts such as ], and drinks such as ], ] and a variety of ]s including ]. Greek cuisine difers widely from different parts of the mainland and from island to island.

	===Sports===
	{{main\|Sport in Greece}}
	]

	The ] is the reigning ] having won the ] 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 ],<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 have recently qualified for ] to defend their crown. The ] is the highest professional football league in the country comprising of 16 teams.The most known football clubs are ], ], ] and ], which compete in the ]. The men's ] 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 ].<ref></ref> They have won the ] twice (] & ]),<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 ]. The domestic Greek basketball league, ] is composed of fourteen teams. The most successful Greek teams are ], ], ], ] and ].

	], ], ] and ] are also practiced in Greece with the first being particularly popular in ] due to its long connections with the British.

	As the birth place of the ], Greece was most recently host of ] and the first ] in the year 1896.

	==Armed forces==
	{{main\|Military of Greece}}
	The Hellenic Armed Forces are overseen by the ''']''' (Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Άμυνας - ΓΕΕΘΑ) and consists of three branches:
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]

	The civilian authority for the Greek military is the ].

	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 ], 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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ] 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
	\|-
	\| ]
	\| ] (])<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
	\|-
	\| '']''
	\| 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://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
	\|}

	==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 — 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===
	*
	*
	*
	*
	* — information and links related to Greece from the ministry of foreign affairs
	* (embassies, consulates, representations)
	*
	*
	*

	===Other===
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*

	{{Ancient Greece}}
	{{Template group
	\|title = Geographic locale
	\|list =
	{{Countries of Europe}}
	{{Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea}}
	}}
	{{Template group
	\|title = Greece in the European Union
	\|list =
	{{EU members}}
	}}
	{{Template group
	\|title = International membership
	\|list =
	{{Council of Europe members}}
	{{NATO\|state=collapsed}}
	{{OECD}}
	{{WTO}}
	{{Black Sea Economic Cooperation countries}}
	{{La Francophonie\|state=collapsed}}
	}}

	<!--Categories-->
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

	{{Link FA\|ar}}
	{{Link FA\|vi}}
	<!--Interwiki-->
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

Revision as of 16:55, 22 May 2008