Greece: Country with a Long History - Essay Example

Positioned at the southeastern "gate" of the European Union, and with extensive coastlines and easily crossable borders, Greece has become a common transit country for those seeking entry into Europe” (Kasimis 86). Actually, with the development of globalization, migration became very active. Now it plays a very important role and is defined as “function of changes in the international division of labor and reconstructing of the global economy, which entails rapid and massive movements of productive factors, including capital and labor” (Icduygu 294). The number of immigrants in Greece is very high. Immigrants from Albania amount to around 60% according to the data of the year 2012. The 1990s were the period of active immigration from Asian states that now is mostly illegal: illegal immigrants usually come from Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, etc. There are a number of factors that influence migration. Poverty is considered to be the most important factor that makes people look for a better life in a foreign country. The second important factor is armed conflicts in the countries that made people leave their motherland and many of them came to Greece which always has been attractive by its geographic location and financial stability.

Active immigration from Asian countries has grown into a serious problem for Greece. Moreover, only a small part of immigrants is registered, the rest are illegal. The government of Greece is very concerned about the issue as the number of immigrants is becoming so high that it is very difficult to control immigration. Some actions have already been done in this direction, but the government still can’t establish the appropriate control over the issue. The absence of legal protection, racial intolerance that inevitably occurs in a society with a very high number of immigrants, and bad working conditions turn foreign labor into exploitation. In general, immigration in Greece is treated negatively and considered to be undesirable and troublesome for the society and economy of Greece.

Speaking about natural resources, it is essential to admit, that Greece does not have plenty of them, so import is needed. The main ones are marble and petroleum. Last time Greece is concerned about the reduction of petroleum reserves. Aluminum, nickel, and magnetite can be also found in Greece.

In the 1970th Greece was going through economic development, this period is characterized by active industrialization. Simultaneously, the country started facing serious problems connected with environmental pollution. The situation is especially serious in Athens which faces heavy air pollution. Pollution leads to the spread of respiratory illnesses and in addition, spoils the monuments Greece is so proud of. In order to overcome this problem, the government has to build a number of stations to monitor pollution. These steps helped reduce pollution. “Greece should soon begin to see further environmental progress as a result of management and financial efforts made since the mid-1990s. Its environmental policy has been modernized and driven by EU environmental legislation, a search for improved quality of life in the larger cities (Athens, Thessaloniki), and, to some extent, the advantages of a positive environmental image internationally (e.g. for tourism). Nevertheless, the remaining environmental progress to be made, along with economic growth prospects and the likely increase in environmental demands as income grows, necessitate environmental reform” (Greece). Greece is very rich in vegetation. Notwithstanding that the soils are dry, there many valleys with good conditions for planting. The country is famous for its oranges, tobacco, olives, cotton, etc.
Greece is a very beautiful country with a long history. The state has always been prosperous and despite the current crisis is still attractive for immigrants.  Read More