Greece
A country in Southeastern Europe
The Hellenic Republic is a country located in Southeastern Europe, on the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands. Its shores are washed by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas, and its total area is approximately 131,957 km². The country has a population of over 10 million people, and its capital and largest city is Athens.
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games, with a rich history dating back to the Neolithic period and the Minoan-Mycenaean culture. The country joined the European Community, now the European Union, in 1981.
2001
Greece adopted the euro as its national currency
2004
Athens successfully hosted the Olympic Games, which led to significant infrastructure improvements
2006
The country's economy achieved a high GDP growth rate of 6.4%, exceeding the Eurozone average
2009
As a result of the global economic crisis, Greece's economy experienced a significant downturn – the budget deficit exceeded 12% of GDP
2014
The economy recorded its first positive GDP growth rate in six years, signaling the beginning of recovery
2019
Byzantine chant was recognized by UNESCO and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
2021
The country's economy experienced a strong recovery, demonstrating 8.7% GDP growth
2022
Greece officially exited the enhanced surveillance of the European Union
2023
Several credit rating agencies restored the country's investment rating
2023
The Cultural Landscape of Zagori was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its unique architecture
