

Topic: Introduction
Background: Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830 and became a kingdom. In 1974, it became a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EU.Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830 and became a kingdom. In 1974, it became a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EU.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 131,957 sq km

land: 130,647 sq km

water: 1,310 sq km
Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Natural resources: lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential

Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,533,871 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Greek 91.6%, Albanian 4.4%, other 4% (2011 est.)
Languages: Greek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1%
Religions: Greek Orthodox 81-90%, Muslim 2%, other 3%, none 4-15%, unspecified 1% (2015 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.34% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Athens
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ekaterini SAKELLAROPOULOU (since 13 March 2020)

head of government: Prime Minister Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS (since 8 July 2019)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Hellenic Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; 280 members in multi-seat constituencies and 12 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by open party-list proportional representation vote; 8 members in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote; members serve up to 4 years);  note - only parties surpassing a 3% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats; parties need 10 seats to become formal parliamentary groups but can retain that status if the party participated in the last election and received the minimum 3% threshold

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: tourism- and shipping-based EU economy; clientelism economic culture and systemic corruption; new structural reforms for fiscal solvency; high public debts and unemployment; increasing Chinese port control; oil and gas disputes with Turkeytourism- and shipping-based EU economy; clientelism economic culture and systemic corruption; new structural reforms for fiscal solvency; high public debts and unemployment; increasing Chinese port control; oil and gas disputes with Turkey
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $292.4 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $27,300 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: maize, olives, wheat, milk, peaches/nectarines, oranges, tomatoes, grapes, milk, potatoes
Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum
Exports: $59.02 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Italy 10%, Germany 7%, Turkey 5%, Cyprus 5%, Bulgaria 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, packaged medicines, aluminum plating, computers, cotton (2019)
Imports: $71.76 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: Germany 11%, China 9%, Italy 8%, Iraq 7%, Russia 6%, Netherlands 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, ships (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022