American Businessman in Greece

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American Businessman in Greece

• Seth Guida
• Cross Cultural Understanding

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Presentation Overview

• History
• Geography
• Population
• Language and Religion
• Military
• Government
• Economy
• Business

Temple of Theseus, Athens
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History

• Beginning of Greece dates back to 1500 BC
• 8th century BC around the First Olympian Games
• Under influence of many empires for thousands of
  years
• Greek War of Independence began in 1821 and ended
  when England, France and Russia forced the
  Ottoman Empire to grant Greece its Independence
  under a European Monarch
• Full Independence in 1829
• Members of
• Allies in World War II
• NATO in 1952
• European Union in 1981

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Geography

• Area 131,957 sq. km (about size of Alabama)
• Terrain Mountainous interior, coastal plains
• Coastline 13,676 km with 1400 islands
• Mediterranean Climate mild, wet winters and hot,
  dry summers

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Population

• Total Population 10,645,343 (7/02)
• Growth Rate 0.21
• Literacy Rate 97
• Education 9 years compulsory, All levels are
  free
• Life Expectancy 78.74 years

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Language and Religion

• Official Language Greek (99)
• English and French also spoken
• Major Religions
• Greek Orthodox (98) which is state funded
• Muslim (1.3 ) and other (.7)
• Greek Orthodox Church Preserved language and
  cultural identity during Ottoman empire and
  helped gain Greek Independence

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Military

• Divisions
• Hellenic Army
• Hellenic Navy
• Hellenic Air Force
• Police
• National Guard
• Military Expenditures 6.12 billion
• Disputes Complex maritime, air, territorial, and
  boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea

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Government

• Parliamentary Republic
• Executive Branch
• President Constandinos Stephanopoulos
• Prime Minister Costas Simitis
• Judicial Branch
• Supreme Judicial Court
• Special Supreme Tribunal
• Legislative
• Unicameral Parliament
• 300 seats

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Government

• Capital Athens
• National Holiday Independence Day March 25
• Legal System Confined Roman Law
• Judiciary
• Civil, Criminal and Administrative Courts
• Suffrage 18 years of age
• Also know as the Hellenic Republic

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Economy

• Capitalist Economy
• 3 main sectors
• Services
• Industry
• Agriculture
• Member of the European Union (EU)
• GDP Per Capita (PPP) 19,000
• GDP (PPP) 201.1 billion
• Currency Euro
• Euro .9119 to 1 U.S. dollar

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Business in Greece

• When in Greece conducting business there are a
  few things to keep in mind. Greeks
• Treat elderly with much respect and authority
• Sometimes overwhelming hospitality
• If invited to a home, take flowers or a gift
• Waving hand with palm outward is a rude gesture.
• Do not form orderly lines in public places
• Punctuality is not a must
• Axtell (56, 140-141)

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Beauty of Greece
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Questions?