About Greece

Geography

Greece, officially known as The Hellenic Republic, is the southernmost country on the European mainland. With an area of 131.940 square kilometres, Greece is about the same size as England or New York state. Greece's longest border is with the sea.

Over 3,000 Greek islands are scattered about the eastern Mediterranean, roughly 200 of them inhabited. The Greek mainland shares land borders with Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria and Turkey.

Population: 10.964.020 (2001 - census)

Greece's capital city, Athens, (Population: 3,072,922) is also its largest, and is served by Pireas, which is the country's main port. Although more than half the population is classified as urban, rural life retains a powerful influence. A strong sense of community and family ties prevail even in the busiest of metropolitan centres.

Sex distribution: Male 49,49% , female: 50,51% (2001).

Religion

Most Greeks belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, which is governed by a synod of metropolitan bishops, presided over by the Archbishop of Athens. The largest religious minority is the concentration of Greek Muslims in north eastern Thrace. Some islands in the Ionian and Aegean have a significant number of Catholics. Greece's once vibrant Jewish community was nearly vanished in World War II.

Government

The Hellenic Republic is a parliamentary democracy with a 300 member house, the Vouli or Parliament, headed by the Prime Minister. Parliamentary sessions normally last for four years, followed by elections held on the basis of direct, secret, and universal ballot. The head of the Greek State is the President, who is elected by Parliament. The President, who has limited

political powers, may hold office for a maximum of two five year terms . Greece has been a member of the European Union since 1981. The elements that most clearly define the Greece of today are: Political stability under a moderate social democratic government Sound economic progress as an increasingly significant partner in the European Union An international role, with particular influence in southeast Europe.

Language

Greek is the official language, however most Greeks also speak English as a foreign language.