According to historians, the concept of private property, as well as the origins of modern capitalism, lie back in ancient Greece. Over the entire history of the country's existence, its economy has passed a series of tests, which include the Ottoman yoke, the fascist occupation and dependence on other states. Be that as it may, the main problem that the local Ministry of Industry has always encountered is the limited supply of natural resources.
Modern history
In the sixties of the twentieth century, Greece finally transformed into an industrial-agrarian state. Since that time, the share of industry in the country's economy amounted to 34%, while half of the local GDP, as before, was formed due to the services sector. Be that as it may, during this period the country's production development accelerated significantly. The Ministry of Industry called the main reasons for such a significant leap, above all, the attraction of significant foreign investment. At the same time, one cannot fail to note the incentive measures taken by the government at that time, which led to the emergence of large manufacturing companies and the expansion of the geography of foreign trade relations. Plus, in the country there was a centralization and concentration of production. As of today, more than half of Greek industry is controlled by local and foreign monopolies.
Joining the European Union
The industry of Greece before the EU, as now, focused mainly on the domestic market. Along with this, even his relatively modest requests, she was not able to fully satisfy. The country became a member of the European Union in 2001. This event had a double meaning for the entire local economy. At first it acted as a strong impetus for the growth of industrial production, which eventually turned into a sharp and protracted decline. Experts suggest that the main reasons for this are ineffective state legislative policies and corruption. As a result, the country quickly became the most unattractive in the EU in terms of investment.
General characteristics of Greek industry
Greek industry can be briefly described as very disproportionate. This applies both to the distribution over the territory of the country, and its sectoral structure. This situation is taking shape in many other small European capitalist states. Some areas important for any economy are generally absent here (for example, machine-tool building and the aviation industry). The country is dominated by industries that relate to light industry. In particular, the most developed in Greece are considered the food, textile, clothing, footwear and tobacco industries. Over the past decade, petrochemicals, metallurgy, cement production, electrical engineering, as well as the mining sector have gained great export value.
The fastest pace of industrial production in Greece is developing in the metropolitan area known as Piraeus. Over 65% of the state’s production capacities are concentrated here. The only city that in industrial development can at least somehow compete with Athens can be called Thessaloniki. The remaining relatively large centers are Volos, Patras and Heraklion.
Light industry
As noted above, the light industry of Greece as of today plays a key role in the state's manufacturing sector. This is especially true for the textile industry, as it is a major export industry. More than 80% of its exports go to the UK, Germany and France.
Quite developed is also such a direction as the food industry. It should highlight sugar production, because it fully meets the domestic needs of the country. The largest factories for the production of this product are located in Xanthi, Larisa, Sulfur and Plati.
Mining industry
Important for the local economy is the mining industry in Greece. The most important and widespread rocks here are bauxite, brown coal, as well as iron and nickel ores. On the territory of the state, there are quite a lot of different deposits, but most of them cannot boast of rich reserves. In Greece, many bauxites are mined. Their deposits are located mainly in the central part of the country, as well as near the mountains of Parnassus and Gyona. By their number in the bowels of the earth, the state is considered one of the European leaders.
In addition, from ancient times Greece was famous for the extraction of copper, lead, silver, as well as some other types of metals. One of the oldest mines on the planet is located on the Attica Peninsula, near the city of Lavrion. About 18 thousand tons of lead are mined annually, as well as an average of 15.5 tons of silver. In the northern regions of the country relatively good reserves of asbestos and chrome iron ore have been discovered relatively recently. In the eastern Peloponnese and in Thrace, sulfide complex ores are mined, which contain some metals. Since ancient times, the state was famous throughout the continent for its marble of various colors. Careers that specialize in its extraction, are functioning now. Most of them are located in Attica and several other islands. Be that as it may, it is impossible not to note the nuance that this material today does not play such a large role for the country's economy as before.
Metallurgy
In the state, there are no more than one dozen companies that work in the field of ferrous metallurgy. Such industrial enterprises in Greece operate in three regions - Greater Athens, Volos and Thessaloniki. In the local metallurgical industry, smelting of ferronickel and aluminum predominates. Not far from the port of Itea, in the area of the Parnassian bauxite deposit, there is a factory for the production of alumina and aluminum. Its average annual capacity exceeds 140 thousand tons of metal. In the central part of the country there is a plant for the production of ferronickel.
Engineering
Like most other industries, mechanical engineering in the state is concentrated mainly in Greater Athens. It produces spare parts for various equipment, as well as equipment for winemaking and agriculture. Whatever the case, the sphere does not provide completely internal needs for this product. The shipbuilding industry of Greece is represented by a large shipbuilding complex located in the same area. On its territory is carried out not only construction, but also repair of vessels of various class and size, for which small shipyards are provided.
Energetics
The country cannot boast of large reserves of energy resources. Here they are practically nonexistent. The only exception can be called brown lignite. Its total reserves are quite large and are estimated at 5 billion tons. However, this raw material is not of high quality. The main deposits are located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula in the vicinity of the city of Ptolemans. The use of alternative sources is also gaining momentum.
Be that as it may, there is every reason to believe that the energy industry in Greece in the near future will begin to develop more intensively. The fact is that some time ago, in the Aegean Sea, near the island of Thassos, oil fields were discovered. Their reserves, according to preliminary estimates, are about 19 million tons. In addition, gas reserves are also nearby.
Chemical industry
The chemical industry of Greece is well developed within Greater Athens. Local factories specialize in the production of mineral fertilizers, all kinds of acids, ammonia, turpentine oil, artificial fiber, as well as polyvinyl chloride. Most of them are later exported to many countries in Europe and the world. A very important role for the Greek economy is played by the manufacture of cement. The fact is that it is almost entirely based on the use of its own raw materials. Eloquent is the fact that the country is second only to Japan and Spain in the export of cement in the world.