Government type: parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974
Capital: Athens
Administrative divisions: 51 prefectures (nomoi, singular -
nomos)and 1 autonomous region*; Ayion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Aitolia kai
Akarnania, Akhaia, Argolis, Arkadhia, Arta, Attiki, Dhodhekanisos,
Drama, Evritania, Evros, Evvoia, Florina, Fokis, Fthiotis, Grevena,
Ilia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Kardhitsa, Kastoria, Kavala,
Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Khalkidhiki, Khania, Khios, Kikladhes, Kilkis,
Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lesvos, Levkas,
Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethimni, Rodhopi,
Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi,
Zakinthos
Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
Constitution: 11 June 1975; amended March 1986
Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Konstandinos (Kostis)
STEPHANOPOULOS (since 10 March 1995)
head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos SIMITIS (since 19 January 1996)