Greece

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe situated at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. Athens is its capital and largest city, and Greek is the official language. The country includes a mountainous mainland and thousands of islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas. Its long coastline, rugged mountains, fertile valleys and Mediterranean climate have shaped its culture and way of life.

Ancient Greece was composed of independent city-states, including Athens and Sparta, whose achievements in government, philosophy, literature, science and the arts profoundly influenced Western civilization. The region later became part of the Roman and Byzantine empires before falling under Ottoman control. Greece began its struggle for independence in 1821 and was recognized as an independent state in 1830. After periods of monarchy, political unrest, war and military rule, democratic government was restored in 1974. Greece joined the European Union in 1981.