Country Guide • Greece
Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean. The mainland consists of the following regions: Central Greece, Peloponnese, Thessaly (east/central), Epirus (west), Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northwest). Euboea, the second largest of the Greek islands, lying to the east of the central region, is also considered to be part of the mainland region. The islands account for one-fifth of the land area of the country. There are 1400 Greek islands of which 169 are inhabited.
Official Name | Hellenic Republic |
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Area | 131,940km² (50,942mile²) |
Population | 10,666,000 |
Continent | Europe |
Population per mile² | 209 |
Capital City | Athens |
Religions | Greek Orthodox Christianity 98%, Muslims 1.5% |
Language | Greek |
Government | Parliamentary Republic |
Member of EU | Yes |
Currency | Euro |
GDP | $201.1 billion |
GDP per Head | $19,000 |
Natural Resources | Bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum and marble |
Land Use | Arable Land 22% |
Agriculture | Barley, corn, wheat, sugar beet, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes, beef and dairy products |
Industry | Tourism, shipping, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products, mining and petroleum products |
Tourism | There are 1400 Greek islands of which 169 are inhabited plus of course Greece the mainland with all the historic relics in Athens. For most tourists it is the lure of sand, sea and year round of sunshine weather, which is the biggest attraction |
Natural Hazards | None |
Health Risks | Typhus (rural areas from April to September), Lyme disease and Rabies. Please note:Codeine, which is commonly found in headache preparations, is banned in Greece and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country. |
Climate | Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff breezes, especially in the north and coastal areas. Athens can be stiflingly hot, so visitors should allow time to acclimatise. The evenings are cool. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the north. November to March is the rainy season |
Time | GMT/UTC+2 hours, +3 hours during daylight saving time |
National Days | March 25 |
Visas | Nationals of Australia, Canada, Cyprus, EU countries, the European principalities of Monaco and San Marino, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the USA and most South American countries are allowed to stay in Greece for up to three months without a visa. For longer stays, you will need apply to the appropriate office for a residence permit |
British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
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