Greece is widely recognized as the cradle of Western civilization, laying the foundation for many aspects of modern society, including political systems, philosophy, and the arts. Greece is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Acropolis of Athens and the medieval Daphni Monastery, that showcase it's rich history and cultural heritage.As member of both the EU and the Union for the Mediterranean, Greece is a key player in the eastern Mediterranean region and has encouraged the collaboration between neighbors. With it's quality Mediterranean products, Greece's 750 food and beverage companies account for more than one-third of the country's total manufacturing output, while Food and Beverages exports had grown by almost 50% since the start of the crisis. Overall, Greek exports are up 15% so far this year, compared with last year.The industry has been undergoing a transformation-refocusing it's efforts on markets abroad, as it goes through a restructuring at home. Greece also has the largest economy in the Balkans, where it is an important regional investor.