Country is situated in the south-east of Europe taken the south end of Balkan Peninsula and greater part of Archipelago, Ionian, Mediterranean seas. In the north-east borders on Albania, in north with former Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Bulgaria, in north-east with Turkey. It washed by Archipelago in the south by Mediterranean sea, in the west — by Ionian sea.
About 1/5 of territory of the country occupies by islands. The biggest islands are Crete, Ikaria, Lemnos, Lesbos, Kefalinia, Lefkas, Rodos, Korfu, Tasos, Samotraks, the North-Sporados islands, Kiklad`s islands. Area of the country mountainous and intended especially sealine. The antique Greece geographer wrote: «… the sea stretches to the land by thousands of hands». The central mountainous region where the mountain Pind is situated is one of the most sparsely populated. The top point of Greek mountain — Olymp (2917 m) is situated in this region.
One of the first and considerable ancient civilization appeared on the territory of nowadays Greece. There have been already fairly developed civilization of Bronze century which divided into several branches: Cretan, Peloponessky and Macedonian in the III century B. C. The Crete culture dominated almost one and the half of century while in 1500 B.C. the anteriority passed to Miccensk culture. During one and the half of century the state on the territory of modern Greece lived through monarchy, tyranny, republic and than backed again to monarchy.
After 146 A. D. Greece was under authority of Rome. Since VI century the state was a part of Byzantine Empire and was in its structure till XIII century. In 1204 during the fourth crusade the Byzantium Empire has broken up, and Greece has been divided into some counties, most powerful of which was Athenian. In 1460 practically all Greece has got under authority of Ottomans Empire, and in 200 years Turks have expelled Venetians from not numerous staying shopping centers. In 1669 the island Crete has been attached to empire Ottomans and till XIX century Greece was in structure of Ottomans Empire. In 1821 the first phase of war for independence of Greece,when Greeks battled practically without somebody’s help, began. War has ended in 1829, and the Greek kingdom has been proclaimed. At the end of XIX century Greece conducted some wars for territories therefore Turkey has lost Macedonia still taking place under its authority and Crete. In the beginning of XX century the country of Balkan Peninsula conducted so-called Balkan wars, they have ended practically before the First World War and as a result Greece has increased its territory. After war in Greece there was a strong antimonarchic movement, and in 1924 Greece is proclaimed by republic, however in 1935 the monarchy was renewed. In 1967 as a result of military revolution to authority in Greece there came so-called " black colonels «. After powerful student’s demonstration in autumn of 1973 victimization have been toughened, however in July, 1974 the junta has been discharged of authority. In December of the same year the referendum has been organized with the purpose of repeated restoration of a monarchy, however results were negative. The new republican constitution has been accepted in 1975. Greece is a member of the United Nations, GÀÒÒ, IMF, IOH, ILO the Council of Europe, the NATO, the Organizations of economic cooperation and development, EU. State system: The head of the state — the President.
The head of the government — the Prime minister.
The Prime Legislative Body — One — chamber Parliament
The Supreme Executive Power — The Government |
