Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, has a population of approximately 10.3 million and its capital is Athens. The nation's history spans from Greek civilization beginning around 3000 BC to modern challenges such as the economic crisis initiated in 2009. Key cultural aspects include its significant contributions to western civilization, a rich culinary tradition, and its status as a top tourist destination with notable UNESCO heritage sites.

1. Greece
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2. Map

3. Country quick facts
● Full name: Hellenic Republic
● Population: 10,341,277
● Capital: Athens
● Largest City: Athens
● Official language: Greek
● Major religion: Greek Orthodox (official)
● Life expectancy: male-77.83, female-83.2
● Monetary unit: Euro
● Main exports: food & beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum
products, chemicals, textiles

4. History
● Greek civilization began around 3,000 BC with the Minoans, who
were followed by the Myceneans, who lasted until 1100 BC
● After this, Ancient Greece entered a “Dark Age” that lasted until
800 BC, when Greeks began to explore the sea
● Around 480 BC, a golden age began that became known as
Classic Greece, which is when it earned the name of “the birthplace
of western civilization”
● In 146 BC the Romans conquered the Greek Empire
● Around 300 AD Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire
● Early 16th century- came under Ottoman Turk rule
● Gained independence from the Turks in 1830
● In WWI, Greece fought on the side of the Allies, but communism
and fascism began to gain popularity in Greece

5. History continued
● Greece was occupied by the Nazis in WWII
● Communism was defeated in Greece in 1949 and in
1952 Greece joined NATO
● For a short time after, military dictatorship took over
but ended in 1974 with democratic elections creating
a parliamentary republic
● 1981- Greece joined the European Union
● 2001- Greece joins the euro
● 2009- Greek financial crisis begin

6. Nazi occupation of
Greece

7. Language
● GOODBYE: Γειά σας /Yiá sas
● YES: Ναι /Nai
● NO: Όχι /Ochi
● THANK YOU: Ευχαριστώ /Efharistó
● YOU’RE WELCOME: Παρακαλώ /Parakaló
● PLEASE: παρακαλώ /parakalo
● I LOVE YOU: Σ΄αγαπώ /S’agapó
● HOW ARE YOU: Πώς είστε /pos íste

8. Government
● Voting age: 18
● Parliamentary republic
● President: Katerina Sakellaropoulou
● Prime minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis

9. Current Issues
● Unemployment
● Immigration
● Country debt

10. Economy
● Joined the European Union in 1981
● Joined the Eurozone in 2001
● Tourism provides 18% of GDP
● Economy went into recession in 2009 (see Greek
Debt Crisis slide)
● Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing,
textiles, chemicals, metal products, mining, petroleum

11. The Greek debt crisis
● Greece had been spending way more money than it had to
spend, wasn’t enforcing tax collection
● Government admitted it had been lying about national deficit for
years in 2009 after the Global Financial Crisis hit
● Financial lending in Greece was cut off and it was heading
toward bankruptcy
● 110 billion euro bailout in 2010 by the EU and International
Monetary Fund but with austerity measures like large
government spending cuts, tax increases, and wage lowering
● A second bailout brought the bailout total to 240 billion euros
● Bailout money mostly goes towards paying back loans instead
of into the economy so Greece continues to struggle

12. The Greek debt crisis cont.
● Many Greeks argue that the austerity measures are
harming the economy
● Recent referendum on whether austerity measures
should be done like Europe wants (cut social
spending significantly more) or Greece wants (raising
taxes) and the Greeks voted for their own way
● The future of Greece’s economy is still uncertain, but
Greece will probably continue to struggle to pay back
loans on time

14. Currency
● Euro (currency of the European Union)
● 1 US dollar= 0.92 Euro

15. Traditional dress and dance

16. Traditional dance and dress
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvM-SwMiurk

17. Food
● Moussaka-layered casserole with eggplant, minced meat, potatoes
and veggies
● Pastitsio-pasta and meat filling layered and baked
● In Greece they eat lots of fresh fish because they are surround by
seas
● Tzatziki- creamy, cucumber yogurt dip
● Spanakopita- Spinach pie with feta cheese
● Souvlaki- meat skewer with lamb, pork, chicken, etc.
● Kebabs- minced meat wrapped in pita bread with various toppings
● Baklava- flaky pastry with cinnamon-spice nut filling covered in syrup
● Galaktoboureko- custard-filled pie

19. Fun facts
● Greece has 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in its borders
● Greece has about 2,000 islands of various sizes!
● The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece in 1896, as
well as the first ever Olympics during ancient times (776 BC)
● Greece is the third largest producer of olives in the entire world and
Greeks consumer more olive oil per capita than any other group of
people
● Mount Olympus is the highest point in Greece and was thought to
be the home of the gods and goddesses in ancient times
● Greece is the only country in the world that receives double its
population in tourists
● Greeks celebrate name days more than birthdays- a name day is
the day of the saint that a person is named after

20. Santorini

21. Acropolis in Athens

22. First olympic games (1896)