Discover Fascinating Greece Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Greece.

Greece

Background

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Fun Facts about Greece!
Greece is a country with a rich history and a journey to independence! ๐Ÿ“œ

  • 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. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
  • Joining the EU: Greece became a member of the European Union in 1981! ๐ŸŒ
    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

๐ŸŒ Greece is known for its diverse exports! In 2022, the country focused on several key commodities. Hereโ€™s 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. ๐Ÿ“ฆโœจ

Export Commodities

5 different commodities

Exports - partners

๐Ÿšข๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece's exports are like a big tasty pizza, sliced up among different countries! In 2022, hereโ€™s how the pie was shared:

  • Italy takes the largest slice at 10% ๐Ÿ•
  • Bulgaria grabs 7% ๐Ÿฅ™
  • Germany enjoys 6% ๐Ÿป
  • Cyprus shares 5% ๐Ÿ๏ธ
  • Turkey also gets 5% ๐Ÿฆƒ

Each country plays an important role in Greeceโ€™s export adventure, helping make the economy even more exciting! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Export Percentage Accounted For

33%

Greece's Export Partners (2022)

Capital

๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐ŸŒž

Imports - commodities

Greece imports a variety of important commodities! Here's a breakdown of what they bring in:

  • Crude Petroleum ๐ŸŒ
  • Natural Gas ๐Ÿ”ฅ
  • Refined Petroleum ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Garments ๐Ÿ‘š
  • Packaged Medicine ๐Ÿ’Š

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! ๐ŸŒž During the winters, it's mild and wet, making it cozy ๐Ÿ”ฅ. 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! ๐ŸŽ“โœจ First up is Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, the President who has been steering the ship since March 13, 2020. ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Heโ€™s 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. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Heโ€™s the head of government and is in charge of running the countryโ€™s daily affairs. These leaders play crucial roles in shaping Greeceโ€™s policies and direction! ๐ŸŒโœˆ๏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. ๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ’ง๐Ÿ’ก

These resources play a significant role in supporting the local economy and promoting sustainability! ๐ŸŒฑ

Economic overview

๐Ÿ“Š 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 ๐ŸŒด
  • Shipping Industry ๐Ÿšข
  • Exports ๐Ÿš€
  • Foreign Investment ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Thanks to support from EU cohesion funds, these sectors are thriving! However, Greece still faces challenges:

  • High Public Debt ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • Recent Budget Surplus ๐Ÿ’ต
  • Negative Household Savings ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ’”
  • High Unemployment ๐Ÿ‘ท
  • Issues with Corruption ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ
  • Gaps in Competitiveness โš–๏ธ

Despite these hurdles, the future looks promising with recovery plans in action! ๐ŸŒŸ

Public Debt Status

High

Budget Surplus Status

Recent

Government type

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท 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! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธโœจ

Ethnic groups

In Greece, the population is predominantly Greek, making up a whopping 91.6% of the country! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท 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! ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท The majority of the population identifies as Greek Orthodox, making up between 81% to 90%. This means that almost all Greeks practice this religion! ๐Ÿ™ 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. ๐Ÿ“Š

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 populationโ€™s spirituality can be! ๐ŸŒˆ

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! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Meanwhile, only 1% of people speak other languages, which include English and French. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฌ 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 ๐ŸŒ. According to 2022 data, the top import partners are as follows:

  • China leads the way with a significant 12% of Greece's imports. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Germany and Russia each hold 9%, showing a strong connection with Europe's industrial and resource sectors. ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ
  • Italy, a close neighbor, provides 7%, reflecting the friendly trade relations. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
  • Finally, Iraq rounds out the list with 7%, highlighting Greece's search for energy resources. ๐Ÿ›ข๏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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท

Total Population of Greece

10,461,091

Area

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ๐Ÿ–๏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)

๐Ÿ“ˆ Greece's Real GDP (purchasing power parity) shows a positive trend over the last few years! Hereโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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

๐Ÿ—๏ธ Let's explore the Real GDP per capita of Greece over the last few years! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐ŸŒŸ 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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

๐Ÿ“ˆ Greece's Import Journey ๐Ÿšข

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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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

๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Greece Exports Over Time

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒ Greece is experiencing a slight decrease in its population! According to the 2024 estimate, the population growth rate is at -0.35%. ๐Ÿ“‰ 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. ๐Ÿ“Š

Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024

-0.35%