FACTS
Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Area (only Total) total: 131,940 sq km
Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands
Population: 10,722,816 (July 2008 est.)
Main Language (only first): Greek
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital (Name): Athens
Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2
Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
HOLIDAYS January 1 New Year's Day January 6 Epiphany January 30 The Three Holy Hierarchs March 10 Ash Monday March 25 Greek Independence Day April 27 Easter Day April 28 Easter Monday May 1 Labour Day June 16 Holy Spirit Monday July 25 The Restoration of Democracy August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary October 28 Ochi Day November 17 Polytechneio December 25 Christmas Day December 26 Boxing Day Non-Holiday Observances October 26 St. Demetrius, Patron Saint's Day in Thessaloniki You should know: Public holidays occurring on a weekend are not moved Weekend Saturday,Sunday
