The Country history
In 1829, Greece got its independence from the Ottoman Empire. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s it added a number of Greek-speaking neighbouring islands to its territories. Invaded by Italy in 1940, and later occupied by Germany in the World War II, Greece witnessed a prolonged civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The monarchy was abolished in 1974 and a parliamentary republic was formed. Greece joined the EU in 1981 and adopted the euro in 2001. |
