Greece: An Overview:

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Influential in ancient times, it's often called the cradle of Western civilization. Athens, its capital, retains landmarks including the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple. Greece is also known for its beaches, from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykono.

The country shares land borders with four countries: Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Please note that the name Macedonia was disputed by Greece and the country to the north of Greece changed its name to North Macedonia in February 2019!

Among the most well known monuments of Ancient Greece are the Acropolis in Athens and its Parthenon temple, the Sanctuary of Delphi, the ruins of the Olympic stadium in Olympia and the Shrine and Theatre of Asklepios in Epidaurus.

Greece is a mountainous country as you can see on the map. Mountains cover 80% of the country. The two major mountain ranges are the Pindus and the Taurus mountains.

Quick Facts:

• Population: about 10.6 million people live in Greece (2020)
• Capital: Athens with 3.2 million inhabitants
• Name:Hellenic Republic; locally also referred to asEllasorEllada
• Government: Parliamentary Republic
• National Language: Greek
• Religion: mainly Greek Orthodox over 80%
• Literacy: 97% of the Greek population aged 15 and over can read and write
• Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents (before 2001: Greek drachma)

If you're interested in learning more here is a link to10 Interesting and Fun Facts about Greece.Links to an external site.

Read the Country Focus on Page 255 - Greek Debt Crisis. Click on the link to view a timeline ofGreece's Debt CrisisLinks to an external site..

Greece's Debt Crisis: Summary, Causes, Timeline & OutlookLinks to an external site.

Below are two short videos on this topic.

• Discuss the implications of the financial crisis in Greece on other countries in the euro zone. What does the loss of confidence in Greece and in Spain, Portugal, and Italy as well mean for the bloc?
• What does a falling euro mean for U.S. companies exporting to the European Union and for U.S. companies with operations in the bloc?
• At the end of 2020, federal debt held by the public was projected to equal 98 percent of GDP. The projected budget deficits would boost federal debt to 104 percent of GDP in 2021, to 107 percent of GDP (the highest amount in the nation's history) in 2023, and to 195 percent of GDP by 2050. What do you think will be the ramifications if this end up accurate?
• What should the US learn from the Greece Debt Crisis and implement as part of it's Economic Plan going forward from the Pandemic and Economic Stimulus borrowing?