Greece
Greece
- Capital
- Athens
- Population
- 10,715,549
- Region
- Europe
- Languages
- Greek (modern)
Greece is often considered the world's leading producer of sea sponges, particularly from the island of Kalymnos. Traditional sponge diving has been a vital part of the local economy and culture for centuries, once requiring divers to descend with heavy stones for ballast. Today, these natural sponges are still exported worldwide as a sustainable alternative to synthetic products.
Currency
The official currency is the Euro, identified by the ISO code EUR. Before its adoption in 2001, Greece utilized the drachma, which is recognized as one of the world's oldest currencies with origins dating back over 2,500 years to the ancient city-states.
Flag symbolism
The flag consists of nine alternating horizontal stripes of blue and white, which are widely said to represent the nine syllables of the Greek motto meaning 'Freedom or Death.' The blue symbolizes the sea and sky, while white represents the purity of the struggle for independence. A white cross in the upper hoist side corner signifies Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the established religion of the Greek people.
Emblem history
The coat of arms of Greece features a blue shield with a white cross, reflecting the design of the national flag. This configuration was officially adopted in 1975, though the blue-and-white shield has been a symbol of the nation since the revolutionary period of the 1820s. The shield is traditionally surrounded by two golden laurel branches, which are ancient symbols of glory and victory dating back to the classical Olympic Games.