ECONOMY
Traditionally an agriculture-based economy, Greece has had limited success in diversifying its economic base. However, the indusry has replaced agriculture as the leading source of income; agriculture accounts for slightly over 15% of the gross national product, while manufacturing accounts for some 20%. Tourism, a part of the growing survice sector, provides a vital source of revenue.
The chief agricultural products are corn, wheat, barley, citrus fruits, olives and olive oil, tomatoes, sugar beets, grapes, currants, cotton, tobacco, and potatoes. Large numbers of sheep and goats are raised.
The country's main industrial centers are Athens, Thessalon�ki, Pirai�vs , P�trai , and Ir�klion . The principal manufactures are processed food and tobacco, textiles, chemicals, metal products, construction materials, and refined petroleum. The chief minerals produced are lignite, bauxite, high-grade iron ore, magnetite, zinc, and iron pyrites. Electricity is generated mainly by hydroelectric and thermal power stations. Greece has a large merchant fleet, and its chief ports are Pirai�vs and Thessalon�ki. There is a significant fishing industry in coastal areas.
GOVERNMENT
Greece has a presidential parliamentary system and is governed under the constitution of 1975. There is a 300-member unicameral parliament, which elects a president for a five-year term. The executive branch also includes a premier and a cabinet. The country is divided into 13 administrative regions, subdivided into 52 departments or nomoi, which are responsible for most local government.
GREEK FOOD
If you are new to the greek culture, you might be intimidated by all the unfamiliar names of greek food. Here's a list to some of the more common Greek foods.
APPETIZERS
DOLMADES
vine leaves stuffed with rice and then rolled. Served, most often, cold as appetizers. Simple in appearance, this dish requires numerous cooking operations in order to achieve the hint of lemon flavor that tantalizes the taste and opens the appetite. Sometimes served hot with an avgolemono sauce on top.
TlROPITES
Triangles of paper thin glazed phyllo pastry filled with feta cheese and served piping hot, containing, egg, butter, and an unforgettable flavor to whet the appetite.
SPANAKOPITES Baked spinach and feta cheese puffs in buttered phyllo pastry, with egg, onion, butter, olive oil, bread crumbs.
TARAMOSALATA
Greek caviar combined with bread, oil, onion, and lemon to compliment any meal as an appetizer.
TZATZIKI
A yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip to be served chilled on its own or with pita. Great on a gyro.
AVGOLEMONO SOUP
Instead of penicillin, the Greeks use this chicken, rice and lemon soup to cure all colds. Avgolemono is so good, however, that you don't have to be sick to enjoy it.
MAIN COURSES
ROAST LAMB
Lamb prepared in the traditional Greek way with garlic and oregano.
MOUSSAKA
A baked delicacy prepared with sliced eggplant, lean ground beef, onions, tomatoes, butter, eggs, milk, cheese and seasonings. The national dish of Greece.
ROAST CHICKEN
Greek style, with garlic and oregano.
GYRO
Thin slices of barbecued meat specially seasoned with herbs and spices, served with tomatoes and onions on pita bread, and topped with tzadziki. Best off of a rotisserie.
PASTITSIO
A Greek "lasagna" combining macaroni, ground meat, cheese and covered with b�chamel sauce.
GREEK SALAD
A tomato and cucumber salad seasoned with onion, olive oil, vinegar, fete cheese and oregano. Traditionally, no lettuce in a Greek Salad!
PILAFI
Fluffy rice simmered in butter, spices and rich chicken stock. Perfect with all dinner dishes.
PASTERIES
MELOMAKARONA
Honey coaches sprinkled with a spice-nut mixture
KOULOURIA
(Also called Koulourakia) - Breaded butter cookies with a light sugar glaze. Perfect with coffee.
BAKLAVA
Thirty or more nut filled, paper thin layers of glazed phyllo sheets of pastry soaked in pure honey make this the king of pastry desserts. Every country in the Near East claims baklava is its own.
KOURABIEDES
Sugar covered crescent shaped cakes that melt in one's mouth. They are served at weddings, at Christmas, and on special occasions, such as namedays and holidays.
DIPLES
Honey rolls so thin and flaky that they crumble when they are bitten. In Greece this delicacy is often cooked and sold at the panigiria or fairs where arts and crafts from every region are proudly displayed for sale.
KATAIFl
A delicious pastry made of shredded phyllo rolled with nuts and honey and sprinkled with syrup. Found throughout the Mediterranean.
LOUKOUMADES
Feathery light honey tokens or sweet fritters deep fried to a golden brown and dipped in boiling honey.
COFFEE
GREEK STYLE
This is a thick, powered coffee that is made in a brickee (or brika), which is traditionally a small brass pot with a long handle. Modern advances have given us stainless steel brikas. This is not instant coffee, and even though powdered, the coffee used does not dissolve. The grounds settle to the bottom of the cup. When you order Greek coffee, you must specify plain, sweet or medium-sweet (sketo, glyko or metrio in Greek, respectively).