Information about Greece
Strategically located at the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece forms the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula in south-east Europe. Its territory includes several hundred islands in the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean seas, of which only 227 are inhabited. Eighty per cent of Greece is mountainous and Mount Olympus is the highest point in the country (2 917m).
The most important sectors of Greece’s economy in 2014 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (26.3 %), public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (20.8 %) and real estate activities (18.5 %).
Greece’s main export partners are Turkey, Italy and Germany while its main import partners are Russia, Germany and Iraq.
Capital: Athens
Geographical size: 131 957 km²
Population: 10 992 589 (2014)
Population as % of total EU population: 2.2 %
GDP: € 179.081 billion
Official EU language(s): Greek
Political system: parliamentary republic
EU member country since: 1 January 1981
Seats in the European Parliament: 21
Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 2001
Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 1 January 2000.
Presidency of the Council: Greece has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 5 times between 1983 and 2014.
European Parliament
There are 21 members of the European Parliament from Greece. Find out who these MEPs are. European Parliament office in Greece
Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Greek government, depending on the policy area being addressed.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Greek presidencies:
European Commission
The Commissioner nominated by Greece to the European Commission is Dimitris Avramopoulos, who is responsible for Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".
European Economic & Social Committee
Greece has 13 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.
Who has some informations about strikes in Greece ? | Yahoo Answers
The strikes this year are smaller than the regular strikes in 2009 and 2008, they happen in Greece all the time.
If you travel through the country, unless you are in front of the government buildings in Athens, you won't see or hear anything of demonstrations or strikes.
the media have blown this totally out of proportion.
Its like WMD in Iraq, repeated often enough you believe they exist.
What are some sources for information about discounted holidays to Greece from the UK
There are many good sources for information about discounted holidays to Greece from the UK. Examples include information on sites such as Lastminute, Thomascook, Monarch and Travelsupermarket.