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. Following the defeat of Communist rebels in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. Democratic elections in 1974 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).

bauxite, lignite, magnesite, petroleum, marble, hydropower potential

arable land: 22.12%
permanent crops: 8.47%
other: 69.41% (1998 est.)

10,665,989 (July 2003 est.)

Greek 98%, other 2%
note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece

Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

Greek 99% (official), English, French

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.5%
male: 98.6%
female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

Athens

parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974

1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Independence Day, 25 March (1821)