Greece: A Comprehensive Overview

What is Greece?

Greece is a country located in Southeastern Europe, known for its rich history, ancient culture, and influence on Western civilization. It is famous for its archaeological sites, picturesque landscapes, and as the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games.

Administrative Divisions

Greece is divided into 13 administrative regions, which are further subdivided into regional units. The regions are:

Attica
Central Greece
Central Macedonia
Crete
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Ionian Islands
Northern Aegean
Peloponnese
South Aegean
Thessaly
Western Greece
Western Macedonia
Zakynthos

Currency Details

Currency Name: Euro (EUR)
Symbol: €
Subunit: Cent (1 EUR = 100 cents)
Central Bank: Bank of Greece

Type of Government

Greece is a parliamentary republic, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The country has a multi-party system, with legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Detailed Hierarchy of Government Roles

Executive Branch Hierarchy

Position	Role Description	Power & Responsibilities
President	Head of State	Ceremonial role, representing Greece internationally.
Prime Minister	Head of Government	Leads the government, responsible for policy-making and appointments.
Ministers	Head of various ministries	Manage government departments and implement policies.
Secretaries General	High-ranking civil servants	Oversee ministry departments and ensure smooth operation.

Legislative Branch Hierarchy

Position	Role Description	Power & Responsibilities
Parliament (Vouli ton Ellinon)	National legislature	Makes laws, approves the budget, and oversees government actions.
Members of Parliament	Elected Representatives	Debate and vote on proposed laws, represent citizens.
Speaker of Parliament	Presides over parliamentary sessions	Manages legislative proceedings and ensures order.

Judicial Branch Hierarchy

Position	Role Description	Power & Responsibilities
Council of State	Highest administrative court	Resolves constitutional and administrative legal issues.
Supreme Civil and Criminal Court	Highest court for civil and criminal matters	Ensures uniformity and consistency in legal rulings.
Courts of Appeal	Appellate courts	Review cases from lower courts and make final judgments.
Local Courts	Courts at the regional and municipal level	Handle routine civil, criminal, and administrative cases.

International Memberships

United Nations (UN)
European Union (EU)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Council of Europe
Eurozone

Military Structure

Branches: Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force
Conscription: Greece has mandatory military service for males between 19 and 45.
Special Forces: Special Warfare Command (DYK)

Secret Agencies

National Intelligence Service (EYP): Responsible for domestic and foreign intelligence.
Hellenic Police (ELAS): The national law enforcement agency handling security and crime prevention.

Stock Markets

Major Stock Exchange: Athens Stock Exchange (ASE)
Key Indexes: ASE General Index, FTSE/ASE Large Cap Index
Analyzed by: Economists, financial analysts, and statisticians.

Emergency Numbers

General Emergency: 112
Police: 100
Fire: 199
Medical Emergency: 166
Tourist Information: 1572 (National Tourism Organization)

SWOT Analysis of Greece

Strengths

Strong tourism sector and cultural heritage.
Strategic location in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Robust shipping industry.

Weaknesses

Economic challenges, including high public debt.
High unemployment rates, especially among youth.

Opportunities

Growing renewable energy sector.
Potential for further economic recovery and investments.

Threats

Political instability within the European Union.
Natural disasters like wildfires and earthquakes.

Additional Information

Official Language: Greek
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET, UTC +2), Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC +3 in summer)
National Anthem: “Hymn to Liberty”