Elliniki Dimokratia

Political Status: Gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830; military rule imposed following coup of April 21, 1967; civilian control reinstituted July 23, 1974; present republican constitution promulgated June 11, 1975.

Area: 50,944 sq. mi. (131,944 sq. km.).

Population: 10,934,037 (2001C); 11,212,000 (2007E).

Major Urban Centers (2007E): ATHENS (720,979, urban area, 3,799,134), Thessaloniki (Salonika, 363,987, urban area, 966,725), Patras (164,741), Iraklion (140,357), Larissa (130,946).

Official Language: Greek.

Monetary Unit: Euro (market rate November 1, 2008: 1 euro = $1.27US).

President: Karolos PAPOULIAS (Panhellenic Socialist Movement); elected by Parliament on February 8, 2005, and sworn in on March 12 for a five-year term succeeding Konstantinos (Kostis) STEPHANOPOULOS (Democratic Renewal), who was constitutionally precluded from a third term.

Prime Minister: Konstantinos (Kostas) KARAMANLIS (New Democracy); nominated by the president on March ...