Description flag of Greece
nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country
Local names
Elliniki Dhimokratia (long)
Ellas or Ellada (short)
Nationality
Greek(s) (noun) Ellas or Ellada (adjective)
Languages spoken
Greek 99% (official), other 1% (includes English and French)
Population
10,722,816 ranked 76, (data 2008)
Geography
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands. The lowest point is Mediterranean Sea 0 m.
Land borders
1,228km, Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 246 km.
Administrative divisions
51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos
Independence
1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)