Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-05-28
MODERN GREECE.
FACTS REGARDING A COUNTRY
NOW IN THE PUBLIC'S EYE.
The Subdivisions of This Land of
Classic RenOWn-IRer Cittes-Her
Products-A Glance at Her POlii.
icaI Characteristics.

PrOducts-A Glance at Her POlii.
ical Characteristics.
In view Of the contention between
the little republico-kingdom OF Greece
and the great nations of Europe and
Asia with reference to the independ-
ence of the Island of Crete it may not
be uninteresting to the reader to know
something definite concerning modern
Greece, its area, population, products,
commerce, form of government, ex-
pcnses and revenue. We quote from
the Seattle Times:
AS is well known, modern Greece
divided into four great divisions, each
which in turn is divided into other
divisions until these have multiplied
and increased to the number of nearly
score-is practically situated in the
waters of the Mediterranean Sea,
being bounded on the north by Tur-
key in Europe" and otherwise sur
rounded by the waters of the Mediter-
ranean.
The total area of this little constitu-
tional kingdom is compassed in 25,O41
miles-an area which could be set
down in the State of Washington al
most three times-having a popula-
ton in 1889, when the last census was
taken, of 2,1S7,2OS, which has I'M
doubtedly increased since that date
quite one hundred thousand.
The principal cities and their pop
ulation consises of Athens, 7,251 ;
Pireaeus, 1887; Patras, 33,529; Her.
mopolis, q, ,99S; Corfu, 19,O25; Zante,
1868; Larissa, 1860; Pyrgos, 12,-
S47; Trikolis, 1O,O9S, and Calamaneo,
1886.
The natural divisions of Greece con-
sists of Thessaly, Peloponnesus, the
Island division and Northern Greece.
The domestic animals consist of the
horse, mule, OK, sheep, goat, hog and
dog. Oxen are used for cultivating
the soil, and sheep and goats consti-
tute the wealth of the rural popula-
ton. In ancient times the hog fur
nished the favorite meat, but now it is
mutton.
The product of the soil consists
largely of wheat, barley and corn.
Rice is produced upon some of the
plains and the marshy regions. Cot
ton and tobacco are moderate prod
ucts. The vineyards are numerous,
but the wine is poor. The mulberry
is cultivated for the silk worm. AL
monds, figs, oranges, lemons and
similar fruit abound.
From the peculiar location OF
Greece-being almost entirely sur
rounded by water and much of its
area consisting of islands-its popu-
latiOn is naturally seafaring people.
Therefore the commerce and transpor-
tation carried on by the Greek ma
tion is extraordinarily large when area
and population be taken into consider
alton. For centuries Greece has been
in the very pathway of commerce, the
grain trade of the Black and Medi-
terranean seas being almost exclusively
controlled by Greek merchants.
In 1892 the commercial marine of
Greece numbered SO steamers and
/ 1884 sailing vessels, with a total Ca
pacity of BAL 900 tons.
The form of government is q consti-
tutional hereditary monarchy. In
1912 a bloodless revolution occurred,
and a national assembly was called,
which framed a constitution, which
was approved by the King in 1874.
This constitution establishes the mon
archy. The holy orthodox Catholic
and apostolic church holds sway among
the Greeks, but other religions are
tolerated.
All persons are equal before the law /;
personal liberty is inviolable; titles of
nobility and slavery are forbidden |;
the right of petition, trial by jury,
freedom of the press, public admins
tration of justice, independence of the
judiciary-are all guaranteed.
The King appoints seven ministers
to be his advisors, who are responsible
to the Legislature and take part in its
deliberations.
When George I ascended the throne
in 1868 the Legislative power was
vested in single house of Congress,
consisting Of $50 members, called the
Boule."
Universal suffrage prevails and all
elections are by ballot. The King
must be a member of the Greek
church, receives 100000 per annum
as an income, and is provided with
two palaces-one in Athens in cold
weather, and a summer residence in
Corcyra.
The present King, George 1, is the
second son of Christian TX, King of
Denmark, and was 81 years of age the
oath of last December. He was
crowned King by the national as.
sembly June 5, 1868. He married
Olga, daughter of the Grand Duke
COnS To nfinn Of Rnsaia