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Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. Following the defeat of Communist rebels in 1949, 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 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy; Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992).
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Country
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Surface Area: 131,940 square km
Population: 10,647,529 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: Southern Europe (Balkans)
Capital City: Athens
Head of State: Karolos Papoulias
Prime Minister: Konstandinos KARAMANLIS
Independent since: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)
Currency: €uro
Flag (image): 
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