Discover Fascinating Greece Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Greece.
Greece
Background
๐ฌ๐ท Fun Facts about Greece!
Greece is a country with a rich history and a journey to independence! ๐
- Independence from the Ottoman Empire: Greece achieved its independence in 1830.
- Change in Government: In 1974, Greece shifted from a monarchy to a parliamentary republic. ๐๏ธ
- Joining the EU: Greece became a member of the European Union in 1981! ๐
Greece has gone through significant changes over the years, shaping its identity and role in Europe.
Year of Independence from Ottoman Empire
1830
Year Greece Became a Parliamentary Republic
1974
Year Greece Joined the European Union
1981
Exports - commodities
๐ Greece is known for its diverse exports! In 2022, the country focused on several key commodities. Hereโs a fun look at what Greece shared with the world:
- Refined Petroleum: Fueling economies!
- Packaged Medicine: Keeping everyone healthy!
- Aluminum: A shiny and versatile material!
- Natural Gas: Powering homes and industries!
- Plastic Products: Handy tools for daily life!
These commodities highlight Greece's essential contributions to international trade, showcasing the variety and importance of its exports. ๐ฆโจ
Export Commodities
5 different commodities
Exports - partners
๐ข๐ฌ๐ท Greece's exports are like a big tasty pizza, sliced up among different countries! In 2022, hereโs how the pie was shared:
- Italy takes the largest slice at 10% ๐
- Bulgaria grabs 7% ๐ฅ
- Germany enjoys 6% ๐ป
- Cyprus shares 5% ๐๏ธ
- Turkey also gets 5% ๐ฆ
Each country plays an important role in Greeceโs export adventure, helping make the economy even more exciting! ๐
Total Export Percentage Accounted For
33%
Greece's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐๏ธ The capital of Greece is Athens! Athens is not just the political center, but also a vibrant hub of culture and history. It's famous for its ancient monuments like the Acropolis, and it's a place full of life and enthusiasm! ๐
Imports - commodities
Greece imports a variety of important commodities! Here's a breakdown of what they bring in:
- Crude Petroleum ๐
- Natural Gas ๐ฅ
- Refined Petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Garments ๐
- Packaged Medicine ๐
These imports are vital for keeping the economy running and ensuring people have what they need. Each commodity plays a unique role in the daily lives of Greeks!
Commodities Imported by Greece
5 unique imports
Climate
Greece experiences a wonderful temperate climate that keeps things interesting year-round! ๐ During the winters, it's mild and wet, making it cozy ๐ฅ. But when summer rolls around, expect hot and dry weather! โ๏ธ This unique climate makes Greece a beautiful spot to enjoy both the sun and occasional rainy days.
Executive branch
In Greece, the Executive Branch is led by two important leaders! ๐โจ First up is Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, the President who has been steering the ship since March 13, 2020. ๐๏ธ Heโs the chief of state and represents the country at a high level. Next, we have Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister, who took office more recently on June 26, 2023. ๐๏ธ Heโs the head of government and is in charge of running the countryโs daily affairs. These leaders play crucial roles in shaping Greeceโs policies and direction! ๐โ๏ธ
President in Office Since
March 13, 2020
Prime Minister in Office Since
June 26, 2023
Legislative branch
In Greece, the Legislative branch is made up of a unicameral body known as the Hellenic Parliament. ๐๏ธ This Parliament consists of 300 seats, where the lawmakers gather to discuss and decide on important issues affecting the country.
Total Seats in Hellenic Parliament
300
Natural resources
Greece is rich in various natural resources that contribute to its economy! ๐ Here are some of the key resources found in the country:
- Lignite: A type of coal used for electricity generation.
- Petroleum: A valuable energy source for transportation and heating.
- Iron Ore: Essential for making steel and other metal products.
- Bauxite: The main source of aluminum, a lightweight metal.
- Lead: Used in batteries and radiation shielding.
- Zinc: Important for galvanizing and alloy production.
- Nickel: Often used in stainless steel and batteries.
- Magnesite: A mineral used in refractory materials and fertilizers.
- Marble: Renowned for its quality, it is used extensively in construction.
- Salt: Commonly used for food preservation and industrial processes.
- Hydropower potential: Greece has the potential to generate energy through water, tapping into renewable resources! ๐ง๐ก
These resources play a significant role in supporting the local economy and promoting sustainability! ๐ฑ
Economic overview
๐ Greece's economy is a part of the developed EU and eurozone, showing strong growth after the COVID pandemic! The recovery has been mainly boosted by several key factors:
- Tourism ๐ด
- Shipping Industry ๐ข
- Exports ๐
- Foreign Investment ๐ฐ
Thanks to support from EU cohesion funds, these sectors are thriving! However, Greece still faces challenges:
- High Public Debt ๐
- Recent Budget Surplus ๐ต
- Negative Household Savings ๐ ๐
- High Unemployment ๐ท
- Issues with Corruption ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ
- Gaps in Competitiveness โ๏ธ
Despite these hurdles, the future looks promising with recovery plans in action! ๐
Public Debt Status
High
Budget Surplus Status
Recent
Government type
๐ฌ๐ท Greece is a parliamentary republic! This means that the country's government is run by elected representatives and a prime minister, ensuring that the people's voice is heard in how the nation is run. The parliament creates laws, and the prime minister leads the government. It's a system built for the people by the people! ๐ณ๏ธโจ
Ethnic groups
In Greece, the population is predominantly Greek, making up a whopping 91.6% of the country! ๐ฌ๐ท There is also a significant Albanian community, which accounts for 4.4% of the population. Finally, there are other ethnic groups that make up 4%. It's interesting to see how these communities contribute to the rich tapestry of Greek culture! ๐
Percentage of Greeks in Greece
91.6%
Percentage of Albanians in Greece
4.4%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups in Greece
4%
Ethnic Composition of Greece
Religions
In Greece, the religious landscape is quite interesting! ๐ฌ๐ท The majority of the population identifies as Greek Orthodox, making up between 81% to 90%. This means that almost all Greeks practice this religion! ๐ The Muslim community represents around 2% of the population, while those who identify as 'other' religions account for 3%. Additionally, there is a group of people who report having no religious affiliation, which ranges from 4% to 15%. Lastly, there are 1% of individuals who are categorized as unspecified. ๐
Here's a breakdown of the religious affiliations in Greece:
- Greek Orthodox: 81-90%
- Muslim: 2%
- Other: 3%
- None: 4-15%
- Unspecified: 1%
This diverse range of beliefs shows how varied the Greek populationโs spirituality can be! ๐
Percentage of Greek Orthodox
81-90%
Percentage of Muslim
2%
Percentage of Other Religions
3%
Percentage with No Religious Affiliation
4-15%
Percentage Unspecified
1%
Religious Affiliation in Greece
Languages
In Greece, the main language spoken is Greek, and it has a significant presence, with a whopping 99% of the population speaking it! ๐ฌ๐ท Meanwhile, only 1% of people speak other languages, which include English and French. ๐๐ฌ This shows how much Greek culture is rooted in its language!
Percentage of Population Speaking Greek
99%
Percentage of Population Speaking Other Languages
1%
Language Distribution in Greece
Imports - partners
Greece has diverse import partners, each contributing a unique slice to the pie ๐. According to 2022 data, the top import partners are as follows:
- China leads the way with a significant 12% of Greece's imports. ๐จ๐ณ
- Germany and Russia each hold 9%, showing a strong connection with Europe's industrial and resource sectors. ๐ฉ๐ช๐ท๐บ
- Italy, a close neighbor, provides 7%, reflecting the friendly trade relations. ๐ฎ๐น
- Finally, Iraq rounds out the list with 7%, highlighting Greece's search for energy resources. ๐ข๏ธ
This dynamic mix of countries not only shows where Greece sources its goods but also the interconnectedness of global trade!
Top Import Partner
China (12%)
Percentage of Imports from Germany
9%
Percentage of Imports from Russia
9%
Percentage of Imports from Italy
7%
Percentage of Imports from Iraq
7%
Greece Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Greece is home to a total population of 10,461,091 people! That's a lot of folks living together in this beautiful Mediterranean country! ๐ฌ๐ท
Total Population of Greece
10,461,091
Area
๐ Let's explore the area of Greece! This beautiful country has a total area of 131,957 sq km. Out of that, 130,647 sq km is land, while there is a lovely 1,310 sq km of water. That's a lot of space for ancient ruins, stunning beaches, and delicious food! ๐ฝ๏ธ๐๏ธ
Total Area
131,957 sq km
Land Area
130,647 sq km
Water Area
1,310 sq km
Area Distribution in Greece
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Greece's Real GDP (purchasing power parity) shows a positive trend over the last few years! Hereโs a quick look at the estimated GDP in billions of dollars:
- 2021: $348.977 billion
- 2022: $368.37 billion
- 2023: $375.78 billion
This growth is like a treasure map leading to economic adventure! ๐บ๏ธ๐ฐ
Real GDP in 2023
$375.78 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$368.37 billion
Real GDP in 2021
$348.977 billion
Real GDP Growth in Greece (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐๏ธ Let's explore the Real GDP per capita of Greece over the last few years! ๐ This measurement tells us how much money, on average, each person in the country makes. Here's what we've discovered:
- 2021: $33,000
- 2022: $35,300
- 2023: $36,300
As you can see, the GDP per capita has been growing steadily! That's great news for the people of Greece! ๐ This growth shows that the economy is improving, and people might be feeling a bit more financial comfort in their daily lives. Let's visualize this growth with a line chart! ๐๐ฐ
GDP per Capita in 2021
$33,000
GDP per Capita in 2022
$35,300
GDP per Capita in 2023
$36,300
GDP Growth from 2021 to 2023
10,300
Real GDP per Capita of Greece (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Greece's Import Journey ๐ข
Greece has been on a wild ride with its imports in recent years! Let's see how the numbers stack up:
- 2021: $103.532 billion
- 2022: $127.82 billion
- 2023: $117.922 billion
As we can see, imports peaked in 2022! ๐ But there was a drop in 2023 compared to 2022.
Greece relies on imports for everything from food to goods, making these numbers super important for the economy! ๐๐ฐ
Let's visualize this trend in a chart:
Estimated Imports in 2023
$117.922 billion
Estimated Imports in 2022
$127.82 billion
Estimated Imports in 2021
$103.532 billion
Greece's Import Trends Over Years
Exports
๐ Greece's export scene is vibrant and growing! In 2023, exports are estimated to be $106.65 billion, showing a steady rise from $106.189 billion in 2022. If we look back to 2021, Greece's exports were at $87.521 billion. This upward trend in exports is a sign of a robust economy! ๐๐ฐ
Greece Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
๐ Greece is experiencing a slight decrease in its population! According to the 2024 estimate, the population growth rate is at -0.35%. ๐ This means that the number of people in Greece is expected to decline just a bit, showcasing the changing trends in population dynamics. It's important to keep an eye on how these changes can affect the country's future. ๐
Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024
-0.35%