Fast Facts: Greece

The following are some fast facts about Greece:

• Official Name: Hellenic Republic of Greece

• Capital: Athens

• Size: 50,942 Square Miles

• Neighbors: Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia

• Population: 10,665,989 (July 2003)

• Ethnic Groups: Greek 98%, other 2%

• Religion: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

• Language: Greek 99% (official), English, French

• Government: Parliamentary Republic

• Chief of State: President Konstandinos (Kostis) Stephanopoulos (since March 10, 1995)

• Head of Government: Prime Minister Konstandinos Simitis (since 19 Jan. 19, 1996)

• Independence: 1829 (From Ottoman Empire)

• European Community Membership: Joined 1981