Page 51 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

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Greeks succeeded in doubling their national territory, and after 1 Portrait of Ottoman
the end of World War I, attempted to seize Constantinople. sultan Suleiman the
Their defeat led to a period of instability, which continued until Magnificent by 16th-
World War II. Throughout the war, resistance towards invading century German
powers was fierce across all the islands. After the war, the historian and jurist
political right dominated Greece, and a 1967 coup led to Johannes Löwenklau.
military junta rule until democracy was restored in 1974. 2 German army units
invading Greece in April
The Greek Islands Today 1941 during World War II.
Greece is now an established democracy and an integral part of 3 Former Greek prime
the European Union (EU). The islands have been trans formed minister Andreas
beyond recognition since the start of mass tourism in the 1960s Papandreou during his
and 70s, with many villages turned into buzzing resorts. This election campaign
period, however, has also been a time of economic instability, in June 1985.
with the country rocked by multiple financial crises. The most 4 Visitors watching the
recent, starting in 2009, resulted in a massive loan from the EU sunset from a popular
on the condition that severe austerity measures were imposed. viewpoint in Ía on
Additional challenges arose, including the effects of climate Santorini island.
change and the arrival of refugees. However, with a recent burst
of spending on infrastructure and the gradual improvement
of the economy, the future of the islands looks promising.

1919–22 1946–49 1974 2010–11
The Greco­Turkish War Communist rebels The junta collapses, A massive hole in
sends over a million lose to the Greek a civilian gov ern­ public finances
Orthodox refugees to government during ment is restored leads to the first
Greece, including to the civil war. and the monarchy of three bailouts
many of the islands. is abolished. from the IMF and
EU. Harsh auster­
1941–44 1967 ity measures
Occupation by Germany, A coup by hitherto prompt suffering
and public unrest.
Italy and Bulgaria sees unknown colonels
resistance on both the installs a military
mainland and islands. junta in the country.
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