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Southern Europe, bordering
the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania
and Turkey
Lowest point: Mediterranean
Sea 0 m
Highest point: Mount Olympus
2,917 m
Capital: Athens
Largest City: Athens
Religion: Greek Orthodox 98%,
Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Languages Spoken: Greek 99%
(official), English, French
See also: Languages
spoken in Europe, Languages of
the world
Information & Brief History
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.
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Greece