Terrain
Mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands
Climate
Temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
People
Nationality: Greek(s)
Population: 10,775,557 (July 2014 est.)
Languages: Greek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1%
Religions
Greek Orthodox (official) 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Economy
Greece has a capitalist economy with a public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 18% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy averaged growth of about 4% per year between 2003 and 2007, but the economy went into recession in 2009.
Living Conditions
Rural Greeks—about half the population—live in flat-roofed houses of stone or brick, often without running water or with only wood stoves for heat. City dwellers live in government-subsidized housing or in small houses in suburban areas. The sea has traditionally linked Greek cities and towns. Greece's transportation system has been greatly expanded since World War II (which ended in 1945).
Government
Parliamentary republic
US Military Presence/Support
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (1:07)