Greece: Information
09-10-2026
Greece: Essential Country Profile, History, and Travel Overview
Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is a transcontinental nation situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula. Renowned as the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, Western literature, and major scientific principles.
Key Facts and Demographics
Capital and Largest City: Athens
Official Language: Greek
Currency: Euro (€, EUR)
Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
Population: Approximately 10.4 million
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET / UTC+2), daylight saving time observed (EEST / UTC+3)
Calling Code: +30
Internet TLD: .gr
Geography and Climate
Greece features the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin, spanning over 13,676 kilometers (8,498 miles) and comprising thousands of islands across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The country is largely mountainous, with Mount Olympus standing as its highest peak at 2,917 meters (9,570 feet).
The regional climate is predominantly Mediterranean, characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers with abundant sunshine throughout most of the year.
Major Economic Drivers and Tourism
Tourism: One of the most visited destinations globally, driven by world-famous islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu, as well as historic landmarks like the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, and Meteora.
Maritime Shipping: Greece maintains the world’s largest merchant fleet by vessel capacity.
Agriculture and Export: Key exports include extra virgin olive oil, olives, feta cheese, wine, fresh produce, and textiles.
Services and Industry: Dominated by telecommunications, financial services, food processing, and petroleum refining.