Ellada

Ellada is the Greek name for the country commonly known in English as Greece. In Modern Greek, the country is called Ελλάδα (Elláda). The term Hellas (Hellas) is an older name used in classical and some contemporary contexts, while Elláda is the everyday designation in Greek. The word is rooted in the ancient concept of the Greek homeland and the Hellenic world.

Geography and politics: Ellada is located in Southern Europe, occupying part of the Balkan Peninsula and numerous Aegean and Ionian Sea islands. Its capital and largest city is Athens. The country operates as a parliamentary republic. It is a member of the European Union and uses the euro. As of the early 2020s, the population is about 10.5 million, and the country is divided into 13 administrative regions.

History: The land has a long historical record, from ancient Greece, which gave rise to foundational ideas in democracy, philosophy, theater, and the arts, to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, followed by Byzantine and Ottoman rule. Greece achieved independence in the 19th century, with the modern state established in the 1830s; it has since undergone constitutional changes and develops as a democratic republic.

Culture and economy: The Greek language and Orthodox Christianity are central to national identity. Ellada has a rich cultural heritage, including ancient ruins, literature, music, and cuisine. Tourism, shipping, and services are key sectors of the economy, complemented by agriculture and industry. The country is known for its Mediterranean climate, island landscapes, and historic sites such as Athens’ Acropolis and Delphi.