Debt - external:
$63.4 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
$5.4 billion from EU
Currency:
euro (EUR)
note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the
euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of
member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole
currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:
EUR
Exchange rates:
euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 365.4 (2000),
305.65 (1999), 295.53 (1998)
note: in January 2001, the drachma became a participating currency
within the Eurosystem, and the euro market rate became applicable to
all transactions
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Greece
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.431 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
937,700 (1997)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good
mobile telephone and international service
domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire
connections; submarine cable to offshore islands
international: tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite
earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1
Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)