The start of Western civilization, the small country of Greece has had a long and truly eventful history. At one time Greece was a major center of science, philosophy, and art. Today they are a country with political and economic problems.
Geographical Landforms Greece has over 2,000 islands in the Mediterranean and Ionian seas. Only 170 of those islands are actually inhabited by people. These islands are grouped into the Northern Sporades, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and the Ionian islands. These islands happen to be dry and very rugged with mountainous terrain. In fact, over 80% of Greece is mountainous. The Pindus Mountains run north-south through the middle of the country forming the central terrain. The average elevation of the
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The people that lived inwards towards the mainland were called Helenes, and had great marine and military expeditions. They had explored the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, searching out as far as the Atlantic Ocean and the Caucasus Mountains. One of these expeditions, the siege of Troy, had been narrated and it had also been one of the first literary works of Europe by Homer. Referred to as Homer Iliad. Numerous Greek settlements were founded throughout the Mediterranean, Asia Minor (which is now most of the Middle East) and the coast of North Africa. This was the result of Greeks traveling in search of new …show more content…
Government and Economics Greece, also known as Hellas, is the birthplace of politics and democracy as a form of government. It's democracy inspired, the frame of the US constitution. The present Greek Constitution, ( which was voted in 1975 and amended in 1986), defines the country's political system as a Parliamentary Democracy which is headed by a President.
Legislative powers are held up by a single Chamber Parliament (the Vouli) and executive powers are placed in the hands of the Government and the President. The Prime Minister, whose Government must enjoy the confidence of the House, has extensive powers. The judiciary is independent. Civil, political and human rights are constitutionally guaranteed. General elections for the 300 parliamentary seats are held every four years. The President of the Republic is elected by MP's and serves for a five year term, renewable only once. Mr. C. Stefanopoulos is the President of the Hellenic Republic and Mr. K. Simitis is the Prime Minister. Also, the National Flag of Greece consists of four white and five blue alternating horizontal stripes, with a white cross on the upper inner corner. Blue and white are the national colours of Greece. The country's commitment to the European Union enjoys overwhelming political