Greece

Hellenic Republic

parliamentary republicIndependence 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Greece as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 100 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalAthens

Position39 00 N, 22 00 E

Area131,940 sq km

LocationSouthern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and

Populationas each edition published it

10.62 million July 1997 est. · 10.03m in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.44% 1997 est. · 0.95% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 39.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

78.17 years 1997 est. · 77.5 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.33 children per woman 1997 est. · 1.5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births 1997 est. · 10 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$10,000 1996 est. · $8,200 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2.2% 1996 est. · 1.2% in 1993

Geography

Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and | the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey

18 fields

Land useshare of 131,940 sq km

arable land 19%permanent crops 8%permanent pastures 41%forests and woodland 20%other 12% (1993 est.)irrigated 13,140 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

131,940sq km

land: 130,800 sq kmwater: 1,140 sq kmslightly smaller than Alabama

Coastline

13,676km

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationterritorial sea : 6 nm

Highest point

2,917m

Mount Olympuslowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Land boundaries

1,210km

border countries : Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 228 km

Location

Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey

Climate

temperate;
mild, wet winters;
hot, dry summers

Terrain

mostly mountains with ranges extending into sea as peninsulas or chains of islands

Natural resources

bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble

Environment - international agreements

party to :: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification, Tropical Timber 94

Geography - note

strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands

People

15 fields

Population

10,616,055

(July 1997 est.)growth rate: 0.44% (1997 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1997 est.)

Birth

9.75Death

9.32Net migration

3.95

Religions

Greek Orthodox 98%Muslim 1.3%other 0.7%

Literacy

95%

definition: age 15 and over can read and writemale: 98%female : 93% (1991 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:: 17% (male 905,146; female 845,929)
15-64 years:: 67% (male 3,583,854; female 3,565,882)
65 years and over:: 16% (male 759,648; female 955,596) (July 1997 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: 78.17 years
male:: 75.64 years
female:: 80.89 years (1997 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Greek(s)
adjective:: Greek

Ethnic groups

Greek 98%, other 2% note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece

Government

Parliamentary republic; President Konstandinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995)

20 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

41.5%

PASOK 41.5%ND 38.1%KKE 5.6%Coalition of the Left and Progress 5.1%DIKKI 4.4%Political Spring 2.9%elections last held 22 September 1996 (next to be held by NA September 2000)

Legislature, 300 seatsone dot, one seat

PASOK 162ND 108KKE 11Coalition of the Left and Progress 10DIKKI 9

Percent of vote

PASOK 41.5%ND 38.1%KKE 5.6%Coalition of the Left and Progress 5.1%DIKKI 4.4%Political Spring 2.9%

Country name

conventional long form:: Hellenic Republic
conventional short form:: Greece
local long form :: Elliniki Dhimokratia
local short form:: Ellas
former :: Kingdom of Greece

Government type

parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974

51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos)and 1 autonomous region*; Ayion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Akhaia, Argolis, Arkadhia, Arta, Attiki, Dhodhekanisos, Drama, Evritania, Evros, Evvoia, Florina, Fokis, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ilia, Imathia, Ioannina, Iraklion, Kardhitsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkira, Khalkidhiki, Khania, Khios, Kikladhes, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lesvos, Levkas, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethimni, Rodhopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakinthos

Independence

1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 March (1821) (proclamation of the war of independence)

Constitution

11 June 1975

Legal system

based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Konstandinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995)
head of government :: Prime Minister Konstandinos SIMITIS (since 19 January 1996)
cabinet:: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections:: president elected by Chamber of Deputies for a five-year term;
election last held 10 March 1995 (next to be held by NA March 2000);
prime minister appointed by the president
election results:: Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS elected president; percent of Chamber of Deputies vote - NA

Legislative branch

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:: elections last held 22 September 1996 (next to be held by NA September 2000)
election results:: percent of vote by party - PASOK 41.5%, ND 38.1%, KKE 5.6%, Coalition of the Left and Progress 5.1%, DIKKI 4.4%, Political Spring 2.9%;
seats by party - PASOK 162, ND 108, KKE 11, Coalition of the Left and Progress 10, DIKKI 9

Judicial branch

Supreme Judicial Court, judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council;
Special Supreme Tribunal, judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council

Political parties and leaders

New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS];
Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Konstandinos SIMITIS];
Communist Party or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA];
Political Spring [Andonios SAMARAS];
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Nikolaos KONSTANDOPOULOS];
Democratic Social Movement or DIKKI [Dhimitrios TSOVOLAS];
Rainbow Coalition [Pavlos VOSKOPOULOS]

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIG, UPU, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Loukas TSILAS
chancery :: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:: [1] (202) 939-5800

FAX

[1] (202) 939-5824

consulate(s) general:: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
consulate(s) :: Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Thomas M. T. NILES
embassy:: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, 10160 Athens
mailing address:: PSC 108, APO AE 09842
telephone:: [30] (1) 721-2951, 8401

FAX

[30] (1) 645-6282; consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki

Flag description

nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white;
there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross;
the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country

Economy

22 fields

Real growth rate

2.2%

(1996 est.)industrial production growth: 1.8% (1996 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

8.6%

(1996 est.)

Unemployment rate

10%

(1996 est.)

Labor force

4.21million

by occupation : services 52%, agriculture 23%, industry 25% (1995)

GDP - composition by sector(1994)

agriculture 11%industry 25%services 64% (1994)

Budget

Revenues

$33 billion (excluding privatization receipts)Expenditures

$45 billion (1996 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Economy - overview

Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for roughly half of GDP. Tourism is a major source of foreign exchange, and agriculture is self-sufficient, except for meat, dairy products, and animal feedstuffs. Macroeconomic problems include mediocre GDP growth, the huge public sector, substantial budget deficits, and 10% unemployment.

The government's hard drachma policy and public sector wage restraint are largely responsible for the downward trend in inflation, now at the lowest level in 22 years. Investment is likely to be the primary engine for economic growth in 1997. Athens continues to rely heavily on EU aid, which currently amounts to about 4% of GDP. Despite widespread protests from unions and farmers, Prime Minister SIMITIS presented a tough 1997 budget to help bring Greece closer to meeting the EU criteria for participating in economic and monetary union.

SIMITIS faces strong opposition to further privatization and further austerity. Plans to increase defense spending could undermine SIMITIS's goal to curb government expenditures.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $106.9 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $10,000 (1996 est.)

Industries

tourism;
food and tobacco processing, textiles;
chemicals, metal products;
mining, petroleum

Electricity - capacity

8.61 million kW (1994)

Electricity - production

41.5 billion kWh (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita

3,466 kWh (1995 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; meat, dairy products

Exports

total value:: $5.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities :: manufactured goods 53%, foodstuffs 34%, fuels 5% (1994)
partners:: EU 60% (Germany 22%, Italy 14%, France 6%, UK 6%), US 3% (1995)

Imports

total value:: $20.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities:: manufactured goods 72%, foodstuffs 15%, fuels 10% (1994)
partners :: EU 70% (Italy 18%, Germany 16%, France 8%, UK 6%) US 4% (1995)

Debt - external

$34.2 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient : ODA, $NA

Currency

1 drachma (Dr) = 100 lepta

Exchange rates

drachmae (Dr) per US$1 - 251.55 (January 1997), 240.71 (1996), 231.66 (1995), 242.60 (1994), 229.26 (1993), 190.62 (1992)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

6 fields

Fixed lines

5,571,293

(1993 est.)

Telephone system

adequate, modern networks reach all areas;
microwave radio relay carries most traffic;
extensive open-wire network;
submarine cables to off-shore islands

domestic:: microwave radio relay, open wire, and submarine cable
international:: tropospheric scatter;
8 submarine cables;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 29, FM 17 (repeaters 20), shortwave 0

Radios

Television broadcast stations

361 (1987 est.)

Televisions

2.3 million (1993 est.)

Transportation

10 fields

Merchant marine, 984 ships by typeships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,571,920 GRT/49,674,832 DWT

bulk 433cargo 85chemical tanker 22combination bulk 16combination ore/oil 18container 39liquefied gas tanker 4multi-function large load carrier 1oil tanker 239passenger 15passenger-cargo 2refrigerated cargo 6roll-on/roll-off cargo 18short-sea passenger 82specialized tanker 3vehicle carrier 1note: Greece owns an additional 1,883 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 67,631,159 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Honduras, Liberia, Malta, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Syria, Vanuatu (1996 est.)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

total

75under 914 m

over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m : 18

Railways

total:: 2,474 km
standard gauge:: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge (36 km electrified; 100 km double track)
narrow gauge:: 887 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge (a rack type railway for steep grades)

Highways

total :: 116,440 km
paved:: 106,775 km (including 420 km of expressways)
unpaved:: 9,665 km (1995 est.)

Waterways

80 km;
system consists of three coastal canals;
including the Corinth Canal (6 km) which crosses the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortens the sea voyage from the Adriatic to Piraievs (Piraeus) by 325 km;
and three unconnected rivers

Military

Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, | National Guard, Police

7 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

4.6%

(1995)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea;
Cyprus question with Turkey;
dispute with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over name;
in September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions;
Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Illicit drugs

a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East;
some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece GREENLAND (part of the Danish realm)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Greece.” The World Factbook 1997. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/greece/1997.

How to cite ← 1996 edition 1998 edition →