Greece: flag, capital, currency and history

Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Europe. Its capital is Athens. The currency is the Euro. Languages spoken include Greek.

Quick facts about Greece

Official name: Hellenic Republic
Capital: Athens
Region: Europe, Southern Europe
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Languages: Greek
Calling code: +30
Internet domain: .gr
Area: 131,990 km² (50,962 sq mi)
Land borders: Albania, Bulgaria, Türkiye, North Macedonia
Demonym: Greek
National day: Independence Day, March 25

Flag of Greece

Download the flag of Greece as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇬🇷.

SVG (vector)

History of Greece

Greece was home to the Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations of the Bronze Age, followed by the independent city-states of the classical era, including Athens and Sparta. Macedonian rulers under Alexander the Great spread Greek culture across western Asia, and Rome took control in the 2nd century BC. The Byzantine Empire preserved Greek language and Christianity until the Ottomans took Constantinople in 1453. A war of independence began in 1821, and an independent kingdom was recognised in 1830. The monarchy was abolished in 1974, and Greece joined the European Community in 1981. Athens is its capital.

Key dates

480 BCGreek city-states resist the Persian invasion at Salamis.
146 BCRome conquers Greece after the destruction of Corinth.
1453The Ottomans capture Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire.
1821The Greek War of Independence begins against Ottoman rule.
1830Greece is recognised as an independent kingdom in the London Protocol.
1974A referendum abolishes the monarchy after the fall of the military junta.
1981Greece joins the European Community.