GREECE
GEOGRAPHY
The southeastern most country in Europe, occupying the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is officially known as the "Hellenic Republic". Greece includes more than 400 islands, which occupy more than one fifth of its total land territory the total area of the country is 131,957 square kilometers (50,949 square miles). In the north the country is bordered by Albania, X-Yugoslavia (the Republic of Skopje) and Bulgaria and by the European part of Turkey. Its eastern border is surrounded by the Aegean Sea, the southern by the Mediterranean Sea and the western border is surrounded by the Ionian Sea.
Greece does not have very many natural resources of high economic value, its arable land is only 23% and the rest of the country has mostly barren mountains. In the 1970s heavy industrialization took place in the country the ill effects of which are being felt today; heavy air pollution is air pollution, a serious environmental problem in the country. The smog has eroded marble and other stone and has pocked and discolored many of the country's priceless monuments and statues besides causing respiratory problems in the residents.
90% of the population of Greece consists of ethnic Greeks, 1% of Muslims of Turkish origin and the remainder of the population includes people of Slavic, Albanian, and Armenian descent, as well as Vlachs, a people who speak a Romanian dialect.
The rugged mountainous Greece has great natural beauty and although small in size, the country had a very diverse topography and vegetation.
For administration purposes, the country is divided into 13 regions, which are sub-divided into departments.
The Greeks, 98% of them, primarily adhere to the Christian Orthodox Church of Greece.
HISTORY
Beginning with the Minoan civilization in Crete and then the Mycenean civilization on the mainland, Greece had an advanced civilization much before any other region in the European continent.
Later the city states of the Greek Peninsula saw an unprecedented cultural boom, expressed in architecture, drama, science and philosophy. Under the guidance of Alexander the Great, the Greek world was united, which led to victory over the Persians.
In 330 AD Roman and Hellenic cultures took form in the establishment of the Byzantine Empire which remained a major cultural and military power for the next 1,123 years, until its fall at the hands of Ottomans in 1453. The Greeks successfully fought against the Ottoman Empire from 1821 to 1829.
Greece fought against the Turkish nationals in the aftermath of WW1, in which several hundred thousand Greeks died. An era of instability resulting from wars, deaths and starvation followed for the next three or four decades.
Finally in 1974 monarchy was abolished by a referendum and a democratic republican constitution was established. In Jan 1981 Greece became the 10th member of the EU and since then the nation has experienced a remarkable and sustained economic growth with widespread investments in industrial enterprises and heavy infrastructure, growing revenues from tourism, shipping and a fast growing service sector the country's standard of living have been raised to unprecedented levels.
CLIMATE
The climate of the country is like that of the Mediterranean regions. The lowlands have hot and dry summers with cloudless skies and the winters are relatively mild but wet. The mountainous regions get considerable rain during the summers and are relatively much cooler. Most mountains are covered with snow in the winter, however, in the lowlands frost, sleet, ice, or snow are rare. The rainfall in Greece varies from region to region.
LANGUAGES, PEOPLE AND CULTURE
A large majority of the native population uses Greek as their first or only language. A very small minority of people are speakers of Turkish, Bulgarian and Romani.
Greece has one of the ancient most cultures in the world, which has evolved over time by inculcating influences from all those cultures it came into contact with.
Ancient Greece has been the seat of most of the western philosophical traditions and has given to the world such greats as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and various schools pf philosophy as Stoicism, Epicureanism, Skepticism and Neo-Platonism.
Due to the creative Greek assimilation of different influences of the Eastern and Western culture of Asia and Europe, Greek music is of unbelievable diversity and Greece produced many talented artists from great composers to fabulous interprets.
Famous for its good quality products and the amazing taste of its food and wines, Greek cuisine is popular the world over.
The Greek traditions are either of a religious or pagan nature. The Greeks are a superstitious lot and believe keenly in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon.
CURRENCY AND ECONOMY
Since Jan 1st 2002, Greek had adopted Euro as its monetary unit
Greece is one of the poorest countries of the European Union with the second-to-lowest average income. However, the economy of the country has somewhat improved in recent years due to the tight policy before and after EU’s single currency and the preparation for the Olympic Games of 2004.
Greece has a large public sector and a mixed capitalistic economy. The public sector accounts for about half of GDP and is blamed for the slow economic growth.
Primarily an agricultural country, Greece produces such agricultural products as wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, tobacco, potatoes, beef, dairy products and wine. However, the industries contributing the most towards the economy are tourism and shipping.
The exports of the country include manufactured goods, fuels, food and beverages to countries such as Germany, Italy, UK, France and the US.
CAPITAL AND KEY CITIES
With a population of 734,000, Athens is the capital of Greece and some of the country’s major cities include Thessaloniki, Drama, Piraeus and Patra.
HOLIDAYS IN GREECE
It is said that Greece has a beach for every beach, ranging from Lalaria, a pristine white pebble beach on Skiathos, and Plaka, a long stretch of un-spoilt sand on Naxos. Alternatively you could sail the many islands that Greece has.
On the other hand if you came to Greece looking for an adventure holiday, you won’t be dismayed. The list of adventurous activities is long-
Wind surfing at Vassiliki on Lefkada, Kefalos on Kos, Kokkari on Samos, Ialisos on Rhodes, Chrisi Akti (Golden Beach) on Paros, and Agios Georgios and Mikri Vigla on Naxos.
Hiking at Samaria Gorge (18km/11.2 miles) on Crete or the Vikos Gorge (14km/8 miles) in Epirus.
Skiing at Parnassos Ski Centre on Mount Parnassos or alternatively try Helmos on the Peleponnese, or Vermion in Macedonia.
Rafting, kayaking and canoeing in the shallow, fast-flowing rivers of mainland Greece.
There is plenty to see in this ancient country, which has a treasury of antiques from the old world.
You should ideally begin exploring the country with the Acropolis rock, which is home to the fifth-century BC Parthenon, then stroll down to the Ancient Agora, once Athens' civic, political and commercial center and when you are on the move don’t miss the world-class National Archaeological Museum, packed with ancient marble statues, jewelry and ceramics.
Delphi, the fascinating pagan religious complex, which was believed by the ancients to be the center of the world, is set on a stunning hillside site, comprises classical temples, a theatre and a stadium.
Explore Corinth, the former city state, for its temples and theatre, then check out the adjoining museum and also see nearby Acrocorinth, a vast hilltop fortress combining Byzantine, Turkish and Venetian elements.
Visit Olympia, the birth place of Olympics.
Visit the country’s major cities for their ancient monuments, museums and present day entertainment avenues.
ACCOMODATION
Besides the usual accommodation styles like hotels, youth hostels, camping and caravanning, there is another interesting way to stay in Greece. Known as paradosiakoi oikismoi in Greek, are traditional hostels that can be found throughout the country and this type of accommodation normally offers single, double or triple bedrooms with shower, or a four-bed house.
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