Geography
Location: at the Southeastern tip of Europe, at the southernmost extremity of the Balkan PeninsulaBorders: Albania, F.Y.R.O.M., Bulgaria to the north, Turkey to the eastArea: 131,957 sq. km. (51,146 sq. mi.)Mainland coastline: 4,000 km long. Total length: 1,228 kmTerrain: Mountainous interior with coastal plains; 1,400-plus islandsCapital: AthensMajor cities: Greater Athens (pop. 3,566,060), municipality of Athens (772,072), Greater Thessaloniki (pop. 1,057,825), Thessaloniki (824,633), Greater Pireaus (pop. 880,529), Pireaus (182,671), Patra (170,452), Iraklion (132,117), Larissa (113,090)

People
Population: 10,688,058 million. Immigrants make up approximately 10% of this.Worth force: 4.72 millionGrowth rate: 0.18%Infant morality rate: 5.43/1,000Life expectancy: male 77 years, female 82 yearsLanguages: Greek 99% (official); Turkish, others. Albanian is spoken by approximately 700,000 Albanian immigrants. English is the predominant second language.Religions: Greek Orthodox approximately 98%, Muslim 1.3%, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and other religious communitiesEducation: 9 years compulsory - 97.5% Literacy. All levels are free.

Government
Type: Parliamentary RepublicIndependent: since 1830Constitution: June 11, 1975, amended March 1986, April 2001Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister (head of government) Legislative--300 seat unicameral Vouli (parliament) Judicial-Supreme Court. Council of StatePolitical parties: New Democracy (ND), Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Coalition of the Left (SYNASPISMOS), and Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS)Suffrage is universal and mandatory at 18.Administrative subdivisions: 13 peripheries (regional districts), 51 nomi (prefectures)

Economy
GDP: $236.8 billion.Per capita GDP: $22,000Growth rate: 3.7%Inflation rate: 3.5%Unemployment rate: 9.9%Main economic resources: Primary-Agriculture 12% of GDP, Secondary-Industry 30% of GDP, Tertiary-Services 58% of GDPNatural resources: Bauxite, lignite, magnetite, oil, marble.

Agriculture (5.4% of GDP): Products--sugar beets, wheat, maize, tomatoes, olives, olive oil, grapes, raisins, wine, oranges, peaches, tobacco, cotton, livestock, dairy products.Manufacturing (21.3% of GDP): Types--processed foods, shoes, textiles, metals, chemicals, electrical equipment, cement, glass, transport equipment, petroleum products, construction, electrical powerServices (73.3% of GDP): Transportation, tourism, communications, trade, banking, public administration, defenceExports: $18.54 billion: manufactured goods, food and beverages, petroleum products, cement, chemicals. Major markets-Germany, Italy, France, U.S., U.K.Imports: $48.2 billion. Basic manufactures food and animals, crude oil, chemicals, machinery, transport equipment. Major suppliers-Germany, Italy, France, U.S., Japan, Netherlands.

Major Industries
In the sub-sector of manufacturing (13% of GDP) the food industry is one of the most profitable and highest growth in the area, with an increased presence in the Balkan countries and significant export potential. High-technology.