By Kaukab Jhumra Smith
Located in Southeastern
Europe by the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is a country of contradictory landscapes: crystal blue waters, lofty mountain peaks, ancient woods and a vast coastline dotted with thousands of little islands. The country is dense with archaeological sites through the ages. More than 14 million people a year make the trip to Greece to witness its beauty and culture. The best time to visit is late April to the middle of June, while the weather is fine and the crowds manageable, and again in September to mid October.
Surprise
The official name for Greece is the Hellenic Republic.
Population
Nearly 11 million people live in Greece, a country about the size of Alabama. About 3.2 million people live in the capital city of Athens.
Language and Religion
About 99 percent of the country's residents speak Greek, and 98 percent belong to the Greek Orthodox Church.
History
The oldest evidence of humans living in Greece dates back to 120,000 B.C. In 1829, Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire. It joined the European Union in 1981.
Expatriates
Approximately 90,000 to 100,000 Americans live in Greece. In the U.S., about 3 million Americans say they are of Greek descent.
U.S. Aid
Greece has received more than $11 billion in U.S. assistance since 1946.
Resources
About the Author:
Kaukab Jhumra Smith is a journalist and media consultant based in the Washington, D.C., area. Her work has appeared in international and national publications since 1995 and earned several chapter awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. She graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and received a Master of Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
