Greece

Hellenic RepublicElliniki Dhimokratia

parliamentary republicIndependence 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Greece as the 2004 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 130 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 the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
2004

Every edition of Greece

Populationas each edition published it
10.65 million July 2004 est. · 10.03m in 1990
Population growth% a year
0.2% 2004 est. · 0.95% in 1993
Median ageyears
40.2 years 2004 est. · 39.8 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
78.94 years 2004 est. · 77.5 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.32 children per woman 2004 est. · 1.5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
5.63 deaths per 1,000 live births 2004 est. · 10 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$20,000 2003 est. · $8,200 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
4.7% 2003 est. · 1.2% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

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.

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 21.1%permanent crops 8.78%other 70.12% (2001)irrigated 14,220 sq km (1998 est.)
Area
131,940sq km
land: 130,800 sq kmwater: 1,140 sq kmslightly smaller than Alabama
Coastline
13,676km
territorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Highest point
2,917m
Mount Olympuslowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Land boundaries
1,228km
border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

39 00 N, 22 00 E

Climate

  • temperate;
  • mild, wet winters;
  • hot, dry summers

Terrain

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

Natural resources

lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes

Environment - current issues

air pollution; water pollution

Environment - international agreements

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

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

20 fields
Population
10,647,529
(July 2004 est.)growth rate: 0.2% (2004 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2004 est.)

Birth
9.73Death
10.08Net migration
2.35

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2004 est.)78.94
76.44 · 81.59Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)5.63
6.19 · 5.04
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)97.5%
98.6% · 96.5%Median age years (2004 est.)40.2
39.1 · 41.3
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Religions

Greek Orthodox 98%Muslim 1.3%other 0.7%

Age structure

0-14 years:
14.5% (male 792,938; female 746,119)
15-64 years:
67% (male 3,563,703; female 3,566,549)
65 years and over:
18.6% (male 873,540; female 1,104,680) (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.79 male(s)/female
total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.32 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2003 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

Languages

Greek 99% (official), English, French

People - note

women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor

Government

Parliamentary republic; President Konstandinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995); Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

45.4%
ND 45.4%PASOK 40.6%KKE 5.9%Synaspismos 3.3%elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by March 2008)

Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon, 300 seatsone dot, one seat

ND 165PASOK 117KKE 12Synaspismos 6

Percent of vote

ND 45.4%PASOK 40.6%KKE 5.9%Synaspismos 3.3%

Country name

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

Government type

parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974

Capital

Athens

Administrative divisions

51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos

Independence

1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 March (1821)

Constitution

11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001

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 KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections:
  • president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;
  • election last held 8 February 2000 (next to be held by February 2005);
  • according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms;
  • president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government
election results:
Konstandinos STEPHANOPOULOS reelected president; percent of Parliament vote - 90%

Legislative branch

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

elections:
elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by March 2008)
election results:
percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%, KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE 12, Synaspismos 6

Judicial branch

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

Political parties and leaders

  • Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS];
  • Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA];
  • New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS];
  • Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU];
  • Popular Orthodox Rally [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

  • General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos POLYZOGOPOLOS];
  • Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas KYRIAKOPOULOS];
  • Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros PAPASPYROS]

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Yeoryios SAVVAIDIS
chancery:
2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 939-1300
FAX:
[1] (202) 939-1324
consulate(s) general:
Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
consulate(s):
Atlanta, Houston, and Tampa

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Charles RIES
embassy:
91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens
mailing address:
PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108
telephone:
[30] (210) 721-2951
FAX:
[30] (210) 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

Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the leading euro-zone economies.

46 fields
Real growth rate
4.7%
(2003 est.)industrial production growth: 0.7% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate
9.4%
(2003 est.)
Public debt
100.9%of GDP
(2003)

GDP - composition by sector(2003 est.)

agriculture 6.7%industry 22%services 71.2% (2003 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

12.6%
Germany
12.5%
10.5%
Italy
12.2%
7%
UK
4.2%
4.2%
France
6.6%
6.5%
US
5.2%
6.2%
Bulgaria
Russia
6.1%
South Korea
5.4%
Netherlands
5.2%
4.8%
Cyprus
Japan
4.3%
4%
Turkey
Exports $5.899 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)Imports $33.27 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)(2003)

Budget

Revenues
$76.84 billionExpenditures
$79.48 billion (2003 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of NA

Electricity

Electricity production
49.79 billion (2001)Electricity consumption
48.8 billion (2001)Electricity exports
1.062 billion (2001)Electricity imports
3.562 billion (2001)

Economy - overview

Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the past two years, largely because of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Despite strong growth, Greece has failed to meet the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of 3% of GDP since 2000; public debt, inflation, and unemployment are also above the eurozone average. Further restructuring of the economy include privatizing several state enterprises, undertaking pension and other reforms, and minimizing bureaucratic inefficiencies.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $213.6 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.5% of GDP (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
3%
highest 10%:
25.3% (1993 est.)

Labor force

4.39 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 20%, industry 20%, services 60% (2000 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Industries

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

Oil - production

5,992 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

405,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

84,720 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

468,300 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves

4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production

35 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

2.021 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

254.9 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance

$-11.33 billion (2003)

Exports

$5.899 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles

Imports

$33.27 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Debt - external

$65.51 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$5.4 billion from EU (1995)

Currency

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries;

on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Exchange rates

euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 365.399 (2000), 305.647 (1999)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
8,936,200
(2003)
Internet users
208,977
(2004)
Fixed lines
5,205,100
(2003) · country code .gr

Telephone system

general assessment:
adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good mobile telephone and international service
domestic:
  • microwave radio relay trunk system;
  • extensive open-wire connections;
  • submarine cable to offshore islands
international:
  • country code - 30;
  • 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 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)

Internet users

1,718,400 (2003)

Transportation

10 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

5
over 3,047 m
16
2,438 to 3,047 m
20
1,524 to 2,437 m
16
914 to 1,523 m
3
9
under 914 m
11
Paved 66Unpaved 14

Networkskm

Highways
117,000Railways
2,571Waterways
6
Highways: paved: 107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways) · unpaved: 9,594 km (1999 est.) · Railways: (764 km electrified) · standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge · narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge · dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2003) · Waterways: note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2004)

Railways

total:
2,571 km (764 km electrified)
standard gauge:
1,565 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:
961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge
dual gauge:
23 km combined 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail system) (2003)

Highways

total:
117,000 km
paved:
107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways)
unpaved:
9,594 km (1999 est.)

Waterways

6 km note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens sea voyage by 325 km (2004)

Pipelines

gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2004)

Ports and harbors

Alexandroupolis, Elefsis, Irakleion (Crete), Kavala, Kerkyra, Chalkis, Igoumenitsa, Lavrion, Patrai, Peiraiefs (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Volos

Merchant marine

total:
793 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,186,624 GRT/52,943,968 DWT
by type:
bulk 298, cargo 57, chemical tanker 38, combination bulk 5, combination ore/oil 3, container 49, liquefied gas 5, passenger 10, petroleum tanker 267, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 19, short-sea/passenger 38, specialized tanker 3
foreign-owned:
Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Israel 1, Italy 1, Liberia 3, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 2, Panama 3, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, United Kingdom 2, United States 5
registered in other countries:
2,443 (2004 est.)

Airports

79 (note - new Athens airport at Spata opened in March 2001) (2003 est.)

Heliports

7 (2003 est.)

Military

Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force (EPA), National Guard

7 fields

Military branches

Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force (EPA), National Guard

Military manpower - military age and obligation

  • 18 years of age for compulsory military service;
  • during wartime the law allows for recruitment after reaching January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds;
  • 17 years of age for volunteers;
  • conscript service obligation - 12 months for the Army, 14 months for the Air Force, 15 months for the Navy (April 2003)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 2,638,949 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 2,004,343 (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

  • Greece and Turkey have resumed discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea;
  • Cyprus question with Turkey;
  • dispute with the Republic of Macedonia over its name

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;
  • money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime

Central Intelligence Agency. “Greece.” The World Factbook 2004. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/greece/2004.

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