The Greek economy has traditionally had an agriculture base. Crops including corn, barley, wheat, grapes, peaches, citruses, olives, figs, pomegranates, tomatoes, and potatoes, tobacco, and cotton. The resources of the sea are also important, not only fish but also sponge- many sponge divers emigrated to Florida to start a spong industry there.
The most important mineral deposits are the petroleum and gas fields in the Aegean Sea and bauxite and iron ore on the mainland.
Manufacturing industries such as food processing, textiles, chemicals, and metal goods.
Earnings from merchant shipping play an important role in the economy. Tourism is the major earner of foreign curreny. Greece's climate and coastline as well as its history and agriculture attract many tourists every year. Remittances, money sent from relatives oversea, also contribute to the economy.
Greece became a member of the European Community in 1979. It is a relatively poor country and benefits substantially from EU aid. Between 1993 and 1997 the economy showed signs of recovery. |
