Greece

EU-Greece (orthographic projection)

EU-Greece.svg

Entrance to the treasure of Atreus

The Parthenon in Athens

Napoli BW 2013-05-16 16-24-01.jpg

Country in Southeast Europe

Greece (Greek: Ελλάδα , Elláda), officially the Hellenic Republic (Greek: Ελληνική Δημοκρατία , Ellinikí Dimokratía), is a country located in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, and shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the northeast. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of the mainland, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin and the 11th longest coastline in the world at 13,676 kilometres (8,498 mi) in length, featuring a vast number of islands, of which 227 are inhabited. The country consists of nine traditional geographic regions: Macedonia, Central Greece, the Peloponnese, Thessaly, Epirus, the Aegean Islands (including the Dodecanese and Cyclades), Thrace, Crete, and the Ionian Islands.

History

Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization, being the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, Western literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, and Western drama, including both tragedy and comedy. The ancient Greeks were pioneers in many fields of knowledge, from philosophy and history to mathematics and astronomy. The classical period of Greek civilization, which flourished during the 5th to 4th centuries BC, had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire and greatly shaped the foundation of Western culture.

Byzantine and Ottoman Periods

After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic period saw the Greek language and culture spread across the Mediterranean and into Asia. Greece was later annexed by Rome in the 2nd century BC, becoming an integral part of the Roman Empire and its successor, the Byzantine Empire, where the Greek language and culture were dominant. Following the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Greece came under Ottoman rule, which lasted for nearly four centuries.

Modern Era

The Greek War of Independence began in 1821, leading to the establishment of the modern Greek state in 1830. Greece's rich historical and cultural heritage is reflected in part by its 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among the most in Europe and the world.

Geography

Greece's mountainous terrain and its extensive coastline have played a significant role in shaping its history and culture. The country is known for its varied landscape, which includes mountains, forests, and lakes, as well as its numerous islands. The highest peak is Mount Olympus, which is also the mythical home of the Greek gods.

Economy

Greece has a developed high-income economy, with a high standard of living and a high Human Development Index. The economy is primarily based on the service sector (including tourism), industry, and agriculture. Greece is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Council of Europe, NATO, the OECD, the WTO, and the BSEC.

Culture

Greek culture has evolved over thousands of years, with its roots in the ancient Greek civilization. Modern Greek culture is a blend of influences from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, as well as more recent Western European trends. Greece is known for its rich traditions in art, music, literature, and philosophy.

Demographics

The population of Greece is approximately 10.4 million people, with the majority living in urban areas. The largest city and capital is Athens, followed by Thessaloniki. The official language is Greek, and the predominant religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Government and Politics

Greece is a parliamentary republic, with a President serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Hellenic Parliament is a unicameral legislative body consisting of 300 members.

See also

• History of Greece
• Geography of Greece
• Economy of Greece
• Culture of Greece
• Greek War of Independence
• Tourism in Greece

External links

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