- Capital city: Athens
- Total area: 131 957 km²
- Population: 11.1 million
- Currency: euro
A peninsula in Southern Europe, Greece has borders with Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. There are about 1,400 islands of which only 227 are inhabited, the largest one being Crete. Greece has a population density of 82.9 people per km2 with about 3.1 million people living in Athens.
Greece is an emigrant nation and it is estimated that almost 40% of the population live outside Greece. Greece has a market economy in which merchant shipping and agriculture play a key role. Industrial products account for a large share of exports especially agricultural products such as wine, olives, olive oil, feta, cheese, tobacco and walnuts. Key imports are motor vehicles, aircraft, ships and pharmaceuticals.
Greece has experienced fundamental changes in its economy over the past 15 years. Business initiative is on the rise. The removal of exchange rate risk and low interest rates has created a more stable environment that helps promote consumption and private investment.
Greece is a parliamentary democracy headed by the President. Legislative power is exercised by a single chamber Parliament (Vouli) of 300 seats. Executive powers are vested in the Government and the President. All but 12 members of Parliament are elected by the people under a system of reinforced proportional representation. The 12 state deputies are designated by the political parties in proportion to the number of votes cast for each party. The President appoints the Prime Minister and upon his recommendation the other Ministers.
Greece
