Greece
Information :
GREECE,
Hellas, officially known as the "Hellenic Republic"
is the southeastern most country in Europe, occupying
the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is
bordered by Albania, X-Yugoslavia (the Republic of Skopje)
and Bulgaria from the north, and the European part of
Turkey from the northeast. From the east by the Aegean
Sea, from the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and from
the west the Ionian Sea, including 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).
The mainland portion of Greece comprises the regions
of Thraki and Macedonia in the north; Epirus, Thessaly,
and Central Greece in the central section; and in the
south Peloponnisos, a peninsula which is connected to
the rest of the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth.
The remainder of Greece consists of more than 400 islands,
(only 149 are inhabited.) These are Evia, Crete, or
Kriti, the Northern Sporades, the Cyclades, the Dodecanisa,
Chios, Limnos, Lesvos, Samos, Samothraki, and Thassos,
all of which are spread out in the Aegean Sea. In the
west, the Ionian Sea, is where the Eptanisa are found,
a group of seven inhabited major islands and three small
uninhabited ones. Paros island, Corali
Hotel at Piso Livadi.
The coastal waters of the country are relatively shallow
and penetrate far inland. Despite its indented coastline,
Greece has fine natural harbors, namely its main harbor
of Piraeus, the second largest in the Mediterranean
Sea, after Marseilles in France. Piraeus is considered
an excellent harbor in the East Mediterranean waters.
* Capital: Athens
* Population: 10.9 million
* Population density (per sq km): 80
* Population in urban areas: 60%
* Area: 131.957 sq km
* Coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E
* Language: Greek
* Major religion: Orthodox Christian
* Life expectancy: 76 years for men, and 81 years for
women
* Healthy Live expectancy: 75.4 for men, and 69.0 for
women
* Infant mortality rate (per thousand live births):
6.1
* Average annual population growth rate (1995-2001):
0.27
* Marriages (per 1000 people): 4.3
* Divorces (per 1000 people): 0.9
* Average household size: 3
* Fertility rate (2000): 1.32
* Percentage of women in labor force: 40
* Percentage of female students: 59
* Literacy: 97.5% of the population age over 15 can
read and write
Greece
is a country well known all over the world for its glorious
history. Democracy was born in Greece and the Ancient
Greek civilization is a stepping stone for the modern
western civilization. The Greek philosophy and Philosophers
effected the western civilisation. In Greece where born
some of the Greatest philosophers of all times like
Socrates ,Plato ,Aristotle ,Epicurus and many others.
Drama and theatre was born here where Great writers
like Euripides, Aristophanes, Sophocles and Aeschylus
wrote immortal plays like Electra, Iphigenia, Oedipus,
Medea. During its History Greece had glorious times,
during the Golden Age of Pericles of Athens ,the Hellenistic
times of Great Alexander and during the Byzantine times
when the Byzantine empire lived almost 1000 years the
longest lived empire ever. The ancient Greek monuments
like Parthenon have effected dramatically the Architecture
of the western world and many famous contemporary buildings
have been build according this architectural style.
The
geographic location between the continents of Europe
Asia and Africa was a reason that made the Greeks to
travel and make colonies in many areas in the Mediterranean
and along the coasts of the Black Sea, exchanging ideas
and knowledge with other ancient nations like the Egyptians
the Phoenicians the Persians and nations around the
Mediterranean. Many of the Ancient Greek myths has to
do with the Greek colonisation and the explore of foreign
places by the Ancient Greeks like the journey of Jason
and the Argonauts the Trojan war and the journey of
Odysseus.
Greece
today is a modern western European country and member
of the European Union. Greece is one of the most beloved
holiday destination for many millions of tourists that
travel to Greece every year. The mountains , the islands
and the cities of Greece have everything to offer to
the visitor, history ,mythology ,sights to visit ,nature
and more. The aim of this site is to give general tourist
and travel information for everyone that wants to visit
Greece and know better the Greek History, Mythology
and everyday life of modern Greece.
Geography
Greece is located in the Balkan Peninsula and borders
with Albania, Fyrom, Bulgaria and Turkey. It has ten
geographical areas divided into 13 peripheries and fifty
prefectures. The main geographical areas, or Diamerismata
are: Thrace (8.578 sq.km.); Macedonia (34.177); Epirus
(9,203); Thessalia (13.929); Sterea Ellas and Evia (24,391);
Peloponnese (21,379); Crete (8,335); Ionian Islands
(2,309)Aegean Islands ((9,129); Athens (427). The mainland
of Greece is mostly mountainous with the exception of
the plains of Thessaly, Thessaloniki and Thrace. The
highest mountain of Greece is Olympus 2917 m the largest
lake of Greece is Trichonis 421 sq. km and the longest
river is Aliakmon 297 km. Greek major cities: as well
as Athens, other large cities of Greece are Thessaloniki,
Piraeus, Patras , Herakleion, Kavala, Alexandroupolis,
Corinth etc.
Climate:
The climate of Greece is mild Mediterranean. Although
many places in northern Greece have cold winters with
lots of snow where highly developed ski centres boost
the winter tourism of Greece. The summer can be very
hot, especially in the mainland. The Greek islands however
have a milder climate due to the summer northern winds,
known as the Meltemi.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used. North
American require a transformer and British an adaptor.
Cuisine:
Greek food is famous and popular in many countries.
In Greece you will have the opportunity to taste it
in local tavernas and restaurants. Among the most well-known
Greek dishes are stuffed tomatoes, mousakka, stuffed
vine leaves, meat balls (keftedes) styfado stew, kalamaris,
lobster, shrimps, sword fish and the famous Greek salad.
For vegetarians, Greece is a paradise. In all restaurants
you will find a wide variety of fresh vegetables and
salads like green beans, okra, green peas, chorta.,
radish, aubergine, courgettes and more as well as delicious
stews and dishes that are made wholly from vegetables
and/or pulses. In big cities and large tourist islands
you will also find well-known international fast-food
chains. However, the most popular form of fast-food
in Greece is the ubiquitous souvlaki.
History:
The Greek civilization is one of the most important
civilisations in the world. Greece was inhabited from
the prehistoric times. Its history is more than 3,000
years old, beginning with the Bronze Age and the development
in this period of the Minoan , Mycenaean and Cycladic
civilization, followed by the Classic Era of Greece,
the Hellenistic period, the Roman period, the Byzantine
era, the Middle Ages and the occupation by the Crusades,
the Venetians and the Turks and finally the modern times
since the Greek war of independence in 1821.
Ports
of Greece.
The main port of Greece is Piraeus. From here are the
ferries and passenger boats to the Aegean islands and
Crete. From the port of Voles ferries leave to the Sporades
islands and from the port of Rafina boats depart to
many of the main Cyclades islands. The port of Patras
is the second largest port of Greece and connects Greece
with Italy and the Ionian islands. The port of Igoumenitsa
connects also north-west Greece with Italy and Corfu.
Other large ports of Greece are the port of Heraklion
and Chania in Crete and the ports of Thessaloniki, Kavala
and Alexandroupolis which have connections with the
north Aegean islands.
National
Roads and Highways:
There is a huge road network in Greece. The three major
highways are the E65 that goes from Athens to Patras
in the Peloponnese, the E75 which goes from Athens to
Thessaloniki and the Egnatia highway that starts from
Igoumenitsa in western Greece and goes as far as the
Greek-Turkish borders. Another major highway is the
A7 that goes from Korinth to Kalamata via Tripolis.
There are many other road networks that connects all
towns and villages in mainland and all main Greek islands
have as well a good road infrastructure.
Airports:
The main airports of Greece are the Athens Airport:
ATH Eleftherios Venizelos. The second largest airport
is the airport of Thessaloniki. In total there are 35
airports in Greece, with most of them being located
on the Greek islands. The main domestic airlines are
Olympic Airlines and Aegean Air.
Mainland Airports: Athens, Thessaloniki, Aktion, Alexandroupolis,
Araxos, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kastoria, Kavala, Kozani,
Aghialos (Volos).
Greek Island Airports: Astypalaia, Chania, Chios, Corfu,
Heraklion, Ikaria, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kassos, , Kefalonia,
Kos, Kythira, Leros, Limnos, Mykonos, Mytilene, Naxos,
Paros,
Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Sitia, Skiathos.
Trains:
The Greek railways (OSE) have two major lines. One is
the line that connects Athens with Thessaloniki with
the Balkans, Russia and all European countries. The
other is the line which connects Athens with Patras.
National
Health System: The Greek NHS (ESY) is free and covers
all Greeks and EU citizens. Non-EU citizens can obtain
services only in cases of emergency. Private doctors
and surgeries however are not expensive in Greece, particularly
dentists and General Practitioners. A visit will cost
you around 50 euro. Some medicines, such as antibiotics
do not require prescriptions in Greece.
Smoking:
At present, smoking is not totally banned in public
places as is the case in many other European countries.
However, smoking is not allowed in hospitals, buses,
trams, trolleys, the metro and airports, (although all
airports do have smoking areas in their cafes and bars).
You can smoke in almost all restaurants, cafes and bars.
Additionally, many of the above venues provide separate
areas for non-smokers.
Employment:
All EU citizens are able to work or carry out their
businesses in Greece. Other laws apply to non-EU citizens.
Travelling
to Greece
Passports
and Visas: Greece belongs to the European Union and
is part of the Segen countries. All EU citizens can
enter Greece with or without passports but must show
their EU Identity Cards. Non-EU citizens need passports
and some nationalities will require to obtain a visa.
This includes travellers from Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, Israel, Japan, United States of America and
other countries.
By
Train: Greece is connected with all major cities
and towns of western and central Europe. You can travel
by rail to Greece passing through the former Yugoslavian
countries, or via Bulgaria.
By Ferry: Most travellers arriving in Greece by ferry
leave from Italy. The main departure ports in Italy
are the ports of Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi.
There are also ferry connections from Haifa, Israel
and Cyprus, as well as boat connections with Turkey
from many Aegean islands.
By Car: You can travel to Greece from Italy, via the
ferries, or you can travel through the Balkan Peninsula.
By Air: There are numerous flights to many Greek Airports
from Europe and the rest of the world, arriving mainly
at Athens airport or Thessaloniki. During the summer
there are numerous charter flights to main tourist islands
that depart from many European countries. Most charter
flights fly to Rhodes, Kos, Crete, Corfu, Mykonos and
Santorini.
Travel
Around Greece: Many travellers use the ferries
because mostly they are travelling to the islands. Travelling
by plane to the islands during the summer can be difficult
because many smaller islands are served by quite small
planes with a capacity for only fifty or less passengers.
Because of this, seats on the planes are booked up months
in advance and during high season it is extremely difficult
to get a last minute booking for air travel. Therefore,
if you intend to visit the islands and wish to travel
by air, it is advisable to book your flights very early
in the year. On the mainland, the most usual form of
transport are the long distance buses (KTEL) There are
two main stations in Athens: one at Kifissou Street
and another at Liossion Street. The Greek trains also
give you the opportunity to travel to many towns on
the Greek mainland. You can also rent cars and motorcycles
both on mainland Greece and the Greek islands.
Sailing:
Greece is a paradise for sailing. There are large yacht
marinas at many islands and also at Athens. The Aegean
sea is one of the most popular destinations for sailing
and many regattas are organised every summer.
Cruises:
Many cruise companies organise cruises of the Greek
islands. The main cruise destinations include the islands
of Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos and Rhodes.
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