Situated in the Ionian, Mediterranean and Aegean seas, Greece is bordered by Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Macedonia.

Although it is slightly smaller than Alabama, Greece possesses an archipelago of about 2,000 islands and contains 13,676 kilometers of coastline.

The mountainous country's temperate climate — mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers — make it a popular vacation spot.

Greece is run by a parliamentary republic. A member of the European Union, Greece's currency is the euro.

SOURCE: CIA World Factbook.