Download GREECE: The Quick Facts

GREECE: The Quick Facts
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INTRODUCTION
THIS SHORT
PRESENTATION IS
INTENDED TO GIVE A FEW
FACTS ABOUT THE
COUNTRY WHERE CAPTAIN
CORELLI’S MANDOLIN
TAKES PLACE. I HOPE IT
SERVES YOU WELL, AND
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR
RESEARCH!
GEOGRAPHY
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Area: 131.990 sq.km
Neighbours: Albania, the ex -Yugoslavia and
Bulgaria to the north; Turkey to the East
Land use: 23% arable land; 40% meadows &
pastures; 20% forests; 9% other
Terrain: Mostly mountainous
Climate: Mediterranean (rainy season is
winter)
Main mountain range: Pindos (highest
peak: Mount Olympus 2,917m)
Islands: 9,841 islands (only 114 are
inhabited; Cephalonia is one of them)
Largest river: Aliacmon (297 km)
Regions: Ten (Macedonia is the largest
34,117 sq.km)
Main port: Piraeus
Capital: Athens (largest city, as well: 3million
people)
Time: 2 hours ahead of GMT
FLORA & FAUNA
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Flora: Olive trees, chestnut, fir, pine trees; lots of cultivated and wild
flowers like tulips, chamomile, evosmon & peonies
Fauna: Bears, jackals, foxes, wolves, brown squirrel, boars in the wild;
Rare white goat raised in Crete; 358 bird species, most are migratory.
Marine fauna: About 246 species; many molluscs, dolphins.
THE PEOPLE
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Population: 10,246,156 (1991
census)
Distribution: Male-49.2%, Female50.8%; Urban 57.7%, Rural 42.3%
Density: 77.8 inhabitants/ sq.km
Life expectancy: Male-72.2 years,
Female- 76.4 years
Religious affiliations: 97.6% are
Greek Orthodox
Language: Greek
DEMOCRACY
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Government: Parliamentary
Democracy headed by a President
Current President: Mr. C.
Stefanopoulos (Mr. K. Simitis is the
Prime Minister)
International memberships: Member
of the UN, IMF, NATO, EU and many
others
Education: 4.5% of GDP on
education; (compulsory & free for
nine years)
Welfare: IKA (for labourers); OGA
(for farmers) cover more than 80%
of people
ECONOMY
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Per capita GDP: $7,155
Real GDP growth: 1%
Unemployment: 10%
Current Deficit: About 400 million dollars
National Currency: Drachma
Exchange rate: 250 drs for 1 dollar