Administrative divisions
51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*; Achaia, Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai Akarnania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos |
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Capital city > Geographic coordinates
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37 59 N, 23 44 E |
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Constitution
11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001 |
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Corruption
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4.3 |
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[50th of 160]
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Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 |
Executive branch > Cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister |
Executive branch > Chief of state
President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) |
Flag description
nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country |
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Government type
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parliamentary republic |
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Independence
1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) |
Judicial branch
Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council |
Legal system
based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations |
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) |
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Parliamentary seats > Female
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6% |
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[107th of 143]
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Political parties and leaders
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally or LAOS [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS] |
Status
democracy |
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory |
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Time required to start a business > days
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38 days
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[77th of 171]
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Trademarks, residents
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5,290
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[25th of 98]
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Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy |
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