Greece

Money trouble has presented significant challenges to many nations in recent years. But none has had bigger problems than Greece. After years of borrowing from other countries, it finally seemed like Greece might start climbing out of its hole when Athens hosted the 2004 Olympics. It seemed that the country–the birthplace of the Olympics nearly 3,000 years ago–had an enormous economic opportunity. But once again, the nation simply delved even deeper into debt. The situation became so bad in 2011 that the prime minister had to step down. The European Union granted Greece a bailout as a last resort to save it. What happened to this once-prosperous country that was the birthplace of democracy? And will it ever be able to stand on its own once again?