Greece achieved 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 supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined 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. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
Country profile: Greece
The historical and cultural heritage of Greece continues to resonate throughout the modern Western world - in its literature, art, philosophy and politics.
Situated in the far south of the Balkan peninsula, Greece combines the towering mountains of the mainland with over 1400 islands, the largest of which is Crete.
Post-World War II Greece has seen rapid economic and social change. Major contributors to the economy are tourism and shipping.
Greece has long been at odds with its close neighbour, Turkey, over territorial disputes in the Aegean and the divided island of Cyprus.
Relations warmed after both countries suffered earthquakes in 1999 and offered each other practical help. Although the disputes remain unresolved, the Greek government gives strong backing to Turkey's EU bid. It sees dividends to be gained from the increased regional stability that it believes membership would bring.
Greece has been in dispute since the early 1990s with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Greece contends that the use of the name Macedonia by the neighbouring country implies a territorial claim over Greece's own region of the same name. The UN is involved in continuing mediation efforts.
Athens stepped into the global spotlight when the Olympic Games returned home in 2004. The games were hailed as a success, despite widely publicised fears that the infrastructure would not be complete in time.
- Full name: The Hellenic Republic
- Population: 11 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Athens
- Area: 131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles)
- Major language: Greek
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents
- Main exports: Textiles and clothing, food, oil products
- GNI per capita: US $19,670 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .gr
- International dialling code: +30
President: Karolos Papoulias
Prime minister: Costas Karamanlis
The Greek conservative New Democracy Party led by Costas Karamanlis took over the reins of government from the Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) following a convincing win in elections in early March 2004.
Pasok had been in government for over 10 years but was perceived in some quarters as ineffectual in improving living standards.
Mr Karamanlis is the nephew of former Greek President Constantine Karamanlis, who presided over the restoration of democracy in Greece after 1974. He has been party leader since 1996 and has no previous ministerial experience.
Since he came to power, high unemployment and rising inflation as well as government plans for pension and labour reforms have prompted industrial action.
At the same time, Mr Karamanlis is under pressure from Brussels to cut the budget deficit which is above the level permitted under the euro zone stability pact. Cutting the state bureaucracy and tackling corruption are other priority tasks
Mr Karamanlis was 47 at the time of his election. He is a lawyer by training.
State-run broadcasters enjoyed a near-monopoly in Greece until the late 1980s, when new commercial TV services quickly gained a lion's share of the audience. Public TV lost a large slice of its advertising revenue as a result.
News, domestically-made variety programmes, comedies and game shows dominate the peak-time TV schedules.
Broadcasting in Greece is relatively unregulated by European standards, and many of the country's approximately 1,700 private radio and TV stations are unlicensed. An attempt was made in 2001 to impose some order on the crowded FM dial in Athens, prompting a political row.
The Greek media enjoy considerable freedom, although editors and publishers risk prosecution over material deemed offensive to the president or religious beliefs.
The press
Television
Radio
News agencies
Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% 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 between 2003 and 2005, largely because of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Economic growth slowed to about 3% in 2005. Greece has not met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of 3% of GDP since 2000. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average. To overcome these challenges, the Greek Government is expected to continue cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems.
Greek natural resources include lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands
Greek religion is Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%.
Natural hazards in Greece include severe earthquakes.
Travel Advice on Greece
SUMMARY
- On 12 January 2007, a self propelled explosive was fired at the US Embassy compound in central Athens from the surrounding area, causing minor damage to the front windows and the roof. There were no casualties. Greek anarcho-terrorist group ‘Revolutionary Struggle’ have claimed responsibility for the attack. The British Embassy continues to take appropriate security precaution, and remains open for business as usual.
- Around 3 million British people visit Greece every year. Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Greece is for replacing lost or stolen passports.
- You should maintain high standards of public behaviour in Greece. Greek courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently.
- Greece shares with the rest of Europe a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets. The Greek government has put in place measures to combat terrorism and has had notable success against the main Greek groups but a potential threat remains.
- You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness in Greece as in the UK.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Greece Country Profile.
Generally there are no local travel restrictions, but you should be aware that certain areas near the Greek borders are militarily sensitive. Although these areas can be visited without any problems, do not take photographs or make notes near military or official installations. In addition, travellers should seek permission before photographing individuals.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see: Europe and the EHIC.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
There are many Public and Private Hospitals and Medical Centres in Greece, all of varying standards. Doctors and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but may be limited on the islands. The standards of nursing and after care, particularly in the public health sector lag behind what is normally acceptable in the UK. The Public Ambulance Service, which will normally respond to any accident, is rudimentary. There are severe shortages of ambulances on some islands.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed advice and information.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Forest fires can occur in Greece during the summer months. On 21 August 2006, a serous forest fire affected the Greek resort of Hanioti and nearby areas whilst there have also been other outbreaks, including Zakynthos and Laconia in southern Greece. During especially hot and dry periods there is a danger that forest fires will become more frequent. Please take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas; ensure that cigarette ends are properly extinguished, do not light barbecues and do not leave rubbish or empty bottles behind.
Mainland Greece and most of the Greek islands popular with British tourists are in seismically active zones, and earth tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but do occur.
GENERAL
Money
You are reminded that the currency of Greece is the Euro.