Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between royalist supporters of the king and communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
Full Name: Hellenic Republic
Area: 131,940 sq km (land: 130,800 sq km, water: 1,140 sq km)
Population: 10,722,816 (July 2008 est.)
Capital City: Athens
People: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census)
note: percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity
Language: Greek 99% (official), English, French
Religion: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Chief of State President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004)
GDP: $US 327.6 billion (2007 est.)
GDP per Capita: $US 30,600 (2007 est.)
Inflation: 2.9% (2007 est.)
Unemployment: 8.3% (2007 est.)
Industries: Tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum
Currency: Euro (€ - EUR)
Member of EU: Yes
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