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Greece
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FactsBackground: Greece achieved 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 supporters of the king and other anti-Communists and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. In 2010, the prospect of a Greek default on its euro-denominated debt created severe strains within the EMU and raised the question of whether a member country might voluntarily leave the common currency or be removed. note: percents represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%; Languages: Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French); Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write; total population: 96%; male: 97.8%; female: 94.2% (2001 census); GDP (purchasing power parity): $321.7 billion (2010 est.); $337.9 billion (2009 est.); $344.8 billion (2008 est.); note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $302 billion (2010 est.); GDP - real growth rate: -4.8% (2010 est.); -2% (2009 est.); 2% (2008 est.); GDP - per capita (PPP): $30,200 (2010 est.); $31,500 (2009 est.); $32,200 (2008 est.); note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4%; industry: 17.6%; services: 78.5% (2010 est.); Population below poverty line: 20% (2009 est.); Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5%; highest 10%: 26% (2000 est.); Labor force: 5.05 million (2010 est.); Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12.4%; industry: 22.4%; services: 65.1% (2005 est.); Unemployment rate: 12% (2010 est.); 9.4% (2009 est.); Budget: revenues: $114.5 billion; expenditures: $142.9 billion (2010 est.); Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum; Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2010 est.); Electricity - production: 58.79 billion kWh (2007 est.); Electricity - consumption: 58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.); Electricity - exports: 1.962 billion kWh (2008 est.); Electricity - imports: 7.575 billion kWh (2008 est.); Statistics: CIA World Factbook. PressKathimerini(Conservative), Athens PolisPressAthens Ta Nea(Liberal), Athens To Vima(Liberal weekly), Athens Greece in the NewsDisplaying 1 to 4 of 21 items. Isolated in Greek Camps, Migrants Find WorkThe UN High Commission for Refugees estimates that nearly 50,000 migrants are in Greece, awaiting asylum interviews in which they will make their cases for staying in Europe. While many migrants remain without jobs, some have found work in camps, or have even started their own businesses. Emigration Turns Hardship into OpportunityThe global financial crisis may have eliminated job opportunities around the world, but it has opened the door for a cultural boom on new shores. Eurozone: The End Is Nigh?The debt crisis in the Eurozone continues to metastasize. If things get bad enough, the crisis could drag a large portion of the globe down with it. Heroin Trade and Illegal Immigration in Southeastern EuropeThe organized crime industry has established a well-beaten path through Southeastern Europe for the purposes of multilevel illicit activities. |
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