Greece

Greece is located at the meeting point of Europe, Asia and Africa. It shares land borders with four countries: Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey and it is surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean Seas.

Ancient Greece was one of the most important civilisations in world history. It gave birth to democracy in Athens and produced famous philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The ancient Greeks also developed science, mathematics, architecture and theatre. The first Olympic Games took place in Olympia in 776 BC. Later, Greece became part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

Most of Greece was under Ottoman rule for approximately four centuries, beginning in the 15th century. Despite foreign occupation, Greek people managed to preserve their language, religion and traditions.

During the Second World War, Greece was occupied by German, Italian and Bulgarian forces. After the war, the country experienced a civil war that left its scars in greek society for decades.In 1967, a military dictatorship took power and remained in control until 1974. Democracy was restored that year, and Greece became a parliamentary republic, abolishing the monarchy.Greece became a member of the European Union on 1 January 1981, being the tenth country to join.It adopted the euro in 2001, and euro banknotes and coins entered circulation in 2002.