Country Information

Southeast Europe.

131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles).

10,772,967 (2013).

81.6 per sq km.

Athens.

Republic.

Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean. The mainland consists of the following regions: Central Greece, Peloponnese, Thessaly (east/central), Epirus (west), Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northeast). High mountains, fertile plains, pine forest and scrub-covered foothills are all found on the Greek mainland. The largest mountain range is the Pindus, which runs north-south through central mainland Greece, and separates the regions of Thessaly and Epirus. The highest mountain is Olympus, which soars 2,917m (9,570ft) - according to Ancient Greek mythology, this is where the 12 Olympian Gods resided. The islands account for one-fifth of the country's land area. The majority are thickly clustered in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands are the exception; they are scattered along the west coast in the Ionian Sea, looking (both geographically and culturally) towards Italy. The Aegean archipelago includes the Dodecanese, lying off the Turkish coast, of which Rhodes is the best known; the northeast Aegean group, including Chios, Ikaria, Lemnos, Lesvos and Samos; the Sporades, off the central mainland; and the Cyclades, comprising 39 islands (of which only 24 are inhabited). Crete, the largest island (with an astounding 1,000km of coastline and a population of some 650,000), is not included in any formal grouping.

Greek (Ellenika). Most people connected with tourism, and younger generations generally speak some English, French, German or Italian.

98% Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Greeks are very aware of their strong historical and cultural heritage. Traditions and customs differ throughout Greece, but overall a strong sense of unity prevails. The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong traditional influence on the Greek way of life, especially in more rural areas. The throwing back of the head is a negative gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings.

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras since 2015.

President Karolos Papoulias since 2005.

The birthplace of ancient civilisation has had to deal with some very modern problems recently. Georgios Papandreou has faced an unprecedented financial crisis since becoming Prime Minister in October 2009, leading the Panhellenic socialist movement party (PASOK) to victory, and for many Greeks the heady days of hosting the Olympic Games in 2004 must seem like another age.

While in recent times Greece may have been reliant on its neighbours for assistance, for much of its history it has been very much in the ascendency. The Mycenaeans were the first Greek speaking tribes to arrive in Greece between 1900 and 1600 BC. At once time Greek Civilisation stretched from Egypt to the Hindu Kush of Pakistan and Greek minorities can still be found in many of the locations over which it used to preside.

The routes of Greece’s conflict with Turkey go back to the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. However, Greece’s support of Turkey’s recent attempts to join the EU may signal a new period of relations between the two countries.