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Overview - Greece

General Information
Hellenic Republic (Greece)
National Flag
Area: 131, 990 sq. km.
Length of State Border: 1,228 km
Border Countries: Albania (282 km), Bulgaria (494 km), Turkey (206 km), FYROM (246 km)
Climate: Temperate, mild, wet winters, hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly Mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands
Elevation Extremes: Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m -Highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m

Geograghic Importance
Strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and the southern approach to Dardanelles Straits, a peninsular country possessing an archipelago of about 3,000 major islands

Natural Resources: Lignite, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt

Legal System: Based on Roman law, judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts
Time Zone: GMT +2
Official Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Capital: Athens
Government Type: Parliamentary democracy
Legislative Branch: Unicameral Parliament– 300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to four-year terms
Chief of State: President
Head of Government: Prime Minister

Membership in important international organizations: European Union, NATO, EBRD, EIB, IBRD, IMF, IMO, Interpol, OECD, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WTO, CERN

Economic Hub of Southeast Europe
Despite the economic crisis that emerged,mainly since 2010, Greece still remains appealing as an investment location because it offers businesspeople a wide variety of investment opportunities that take advantage of the country’s strategic geographic location and unique competitive advantages. Greece is a natural gateway to more than 140 million consumers in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, a region with a GDP of almost 1 trillion Euro. As the hub of diverse emerging markets, Greece provides access to populations with a strong demand for consumer goods, infrastructure modernisation, technology and innovation networks, energy, tourism development, and light manufacturing.

In parallel, Greek companies and banks have a strong foothold in the markets of neighbouring states. Investors are discovering that Greece has a combination of characteristics that are unequalled in Europe. Greece is a leading global tourism destination, an emerging regional energy hub, and possesses highly educated and multilingual human capital.

Population 10,815,197
(Resident population, census 2011)
Density 81.96/km2

Population by age group (Population projection for the year 2011)
Age Group Percentage of Total
0-14 14.37%
15-64 65.94%
65+19.69%

Economically-active population 4.97 million (4th Quarter 2012)
Birth rate 10.15births/1,000 population (2010)

Major Greek Cities

Population (census 2011)
Athens (greater region) 3,827,624
Thessaloniki (greater region) 1,110,312
Patras 213,984
Iraklio 173,993
Larissa 162,591
Volos 144,449

Transportation & Telecommunications
Railways total: 2,552 km
Roadways total: 117,000 km
Of which: Urban: 75,500 km
Interurban: 41,500 km

Major highways
Egnatia Highway
PATHE Motorway
Ionian Motorway, Rion-Antirrion (Bridge)
Attiki Odos Motorway

Major Ports
Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Volos, Patra, Alexandroupoli, Elefsina, Igoumenitsa, Iraklio, Kavala, Rhodes, Lavrio, Chalkida, Corfu

Major Airports
[15 international airports, 26 domestic airports, 20 million passengers annually]
The main airports are:
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), Thessaloniki, Iraklio (Crete), Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Chania, Zakynthos, Samos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira)

Telecommunications
Telephones – main lines in use: 4,910,177 (2012)
Telephones – mobile cellular: 15,861,833 (2012)
Mobile phone penetration: 140.5% (2012)
Mobile phone operators: Cosmote, Wind Hellas, Vodafone Greece
Internet penetration: 54% (2012)
Broadband penetration: 23.8% est. end 2012
The increase of broadband penetration in the country during 2012 (2 lines per 100 residents) is higher than the previous year (1.8 lines per 100 residents).

Useful Information

Greece, despite its small size, has a particularly rich and diverse natural environment, a distinct topography with sharp contrasts, and many areas with high ecological value. Dramatic mountains, lush valleys and groves, an extended coastline, and unique ecosystems comprise the Greek landscape. Residents and visitors enjoy a wealth of leisure and recreation options that are unequalled in the Mediterranean. Combining a modern infrastructure and the stark beauty of the ancient world, the birthplace of Western civilization is one of the leading tourism destinations globally that satisfies young and old.

History & Culture
Greek history and Greek culture are the foundations of Western civilization. The cultural heritage of Greece may be identified in almost all aspects of human activity, from poetry, theater, music, and dance to the world of scientific research. Greece is the birthplace of principles, concepts, and ideals such as democracy, freedom, justice, freedom of speech and free will.

The numerous archeological sites and museums of Greece offer visitors the opportunity to become acquainted with Greek history. The historical and cultural heritage of Greece still resonates amidst its modern Western world development.

Plays of Euripides, for example, are performed today in the same theaters in which performances were held 2,500 years ago. During the summer months, visitors from around the world flock to the ancient theater of Epidaurus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. In parallel, modern cultural centers and the concert halls of Athens and Thessaloniki present world-class performances throughout the year, and the Greek National Opera presents a wide variety of operas.

The Acropolis, perched on the Parthenon in Athens, is the crown jewel of Greece’s archaeological splendour. And museums, such as the National Archaeological Museum, the New Acropolis Museum, and scores of others throughout the country house collections that chronicle the evolution of Western civilization. Sites such as Knossos on Crete, Ancient Olympia, Delphi, and Vergina in Northern Greece are easily accessible for day trips or weekend excursions, and make living in Greece a true pleasure.

More Information
For an introduction to Greek culture and a guide to events, exhibitions, museums, and venues, visit http://www.culture.gr/

Please find information on museums, archaeological sites and Greek monuments, a cultural map of the country, and an enriched photo gallery at the “Odysseus” website of the Ministry of Culture: http://odysseus.culture.gr/

Gastronomy
It has often been said that the true Mediterranean diet is based on traditional Greek cuisine, with its emphasis on vegetables, fruits, grains, seafood, fresh meat and dairy products, and pure wine.

Greece offers a bountiful array of raw ingredients and traditional products and a cuisine that is healthful, simple, yet rich and varied. Based on the olive, the staple of the Mediterranean, Greece’s cuisine can be enjoyed in simple tavernas, at traditional ouzeries, or in modern restaurants that offer daring interpretations of time-tested classics.

One of the joys of living or travelling in Greece is the ability to eat, drink, and be merry at sidewalk cafes, cozy estiatoria, or along a seaside quay. Well-known items such as feta cheese, yogurt, and honey please millions of people daily, whether in Greece or abroad, and beverages including ouzo and retsina have become identified as the quintessential accompaniments to a host of Greek specialties. The fine quality and interesting character of the wines, whether made from the volcanic soil of Santorini or the rich soils of Nemea are globally appreciated and recognised by oinophiles.

Lifestyle
The climate in Greece makes living in this Mediterranean destination a year-round joy. Residents and visitors may enjoy a wide variety of sports activities including tennis, volleyball and football, hiking, sailing, and golf, winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, and rafting, biking, and caving (spelunking) in the varied landscapes of Greece. Both Athens and Thessaloniki offer a large selection of leisure venues with entertainment suitable for every taste and preference. The personalities of the cities are a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures with a dynamic intertwine of modern and ancient structures. Greece offers history and sights, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, nightlife and entertainment. A huge selection of accommodation is also available with establishments ranking high among the leading in the world for business, romance or family leisure.

Healthcare

Healthcare is provided free through government facilities to those who are eligible, but also to emergency cases irrespective of the economic situation or the nationality of the person involved, including visitors. Private health care is also available and open to all those who can afford to pay for their treatment.

Greece is fortunate to have a mild temperate climate, a good education system and high sanitation and hygienic standards. All areas of the country have access to clean drinking water and access to developed sewage disposal systems.

New hospitals and public health services have been built or are being planned all around Greece in both urban and rural areas. It is worth noting that in recent years medical tourism from other countries has been increasing thanks to the continuous upgrade in medical technology and services available in Greece.

Weather

The climate varies according to region. In central and western Greece the temperature is higher than in Northern Greece. Mild winters and warm summers in general. From April to October, the winds vary significantly from area to area, in terms of direction, strength and duration. Long periods of sunshine.
Annual rainfall also varies according to region. The average annual rainfall in the Greek capital, Athens, is 400 mm. Snow is common on the mountains and in Northern Greece.