Greece. Geography, description and characteristics of the country. Greece: area, population, geographical location, climate, economy Greece country name

), Patras (cm. PATRAS), Heraklion (cm. HERAKLION), Volos, Larisa (cm. LARISA), Ioannina, Alexandroupolis.
State structure
Parliamentary republic with a presidential form of government. The head of state is the president (elected by parliament). The legislative body is a unicameral parliament. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the Prime Minister.
Administrative division
52 nomes, 264 dima (districts).
Population
OK. 96% of the population is Greek, there is a small number of Turks, Macedonians, and a Russian community. The official language is Greek (Modern Greek). 97% of the population are Orthodox. The Muslim minority is concentrated in Western Thrace and the Dodecanese Islands.
Catholics and Uniates form small communities in Athens and the western islands that formerly belonged to Italy. Greek legislation denies division into national communities. The urban population is 65%. Population density 80.8 people/km 2 .
Mainland Greece includes: Macedonia - the northern region of Greece, Thrace - the north-eastern region, Epirus - the north-western region, washed by the Ionian Sea from the south-west; Thessaly is the most flat region, washed from the east by the Aegean Sea; Central Greece; Attica - the area around Athens; The Peloponnese is the largest peninsula of Greece, connected to the mainland by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, through which a canal is dug. Approximately 4/5 of the territory is medium-altitude mountains (the highest altitude is 2917 m, Mount Olympus) and plateaus. The banks are heavily dissected. There are few plains, they are concentrated in the eastern half of the country, with the exception of the Peloponnese, where plains predominate on the west coast. Mountain rivers predominate, short, stormy, with picturesque rapids and waterfalls, often flowing to the sea in narrow canyons. The longest river in Greece is Aljakmon (almost 300 km). Other large rivers are Ebros, Nestos, Strymon, Vardar, Acheloos. Lakes: Prespa, Trichonis. The climate in Greece is Mediterranean with dry, hot summers and cool, rainy winters. In ancient times, both mainland and island Greece were covered with dense forests, but excessive grazing by goats led to their disappearance and replacement by shrubs (maquis, shiblyak) or olive groves and vineyards. National parks: Vikos-Aoos, Mikra-Presna, Eta and others.
Economy
Greece is an industrial-agrarian country. GDP per capita $24,000 (2006). The state industrial sector accounts for about half of GDP. The most developed are the light and food industries. Industry employs 21% of the working population. Bauxite, pyrite, nickel ores, and magnesite are mined. On the island of Naxos (cm. NAXOS)- the world's largest emery deposit. The metallurgical industry is developed, although in accordance with EU decisions, steel production in Greece has been reduced by 30%. There are enterprises in the mechanical engineering, petrochemical and woodworking industries. The textile, food industries and the production of building materials received priority development (it is believed that the largest cement factory in the world is located in the city of Volos). Flying the Greek flag since the 1970s. Many ships from different countries are registered, so Greece nominally has the largest civilian fleet in the world. Fisheries in coastal waters are extremely important.
Commercial agriculture is underdeveloped due to a lack of fertile soil, low annual rainfall, and an inefficient land tenure system (based on small farms). About 30% of Greece's land is arable. Only in the valleys of Thessaly, Thrace and Macedonia is large-scale production possible. Wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, cotton and tobacco are grown here. Greece is the leader among EU countries in the production of the latter two crops.
Gardening and vegetable growing are well developed. They grow olives (most of them are immediately processed into oil), grapes, melons, peaches, oranges, and tomatoes. Greece exports citrus and melon crops to EU countries. Historically, Greece produces wines with resin additives, but recently varieties without such specific additives have been produced for export, although Greek wines cannot yet compare in popularity with wines from other European countries. Greek agriculture is the main recipient of EU subsidies.
Greece receives approx. 10 million tourists, which provides the bulk of foreign exchange earnings to the country.
The monetary unit is the euro.
Historical sketch
Culturally, modern Greece is the successor to Ancient Greece (cm. ANCIENT GREECE) and Byzantium (cm. BYZANTIUM). In 1453, with the fall of Constantinople, Greece came under Turkish rule. The national liberation movement began at the end of the 18th century. After defeat (cm. RUSSIAN-TURKISH WARS) Turkey in the war with Russia 1828-29 Türkiye under the Treaty of Adrianople (cm. WORLD OF ADRIANOPOL) 1829 recognized the autonomy of Greece, thus ending the Greek Revolution (cm. GREEK REVOLUTION), the Ottoman yoke was overthrown. Since 1830 Greece has been an independent state. In February 1862, a revolution occurred in Greece. Greece - participant in the Balkan wars (cm. BALKAN WARS) 1912-13, as well as the First World War (on the side of the Entente (cm. ENTENTE)). The Entente powers inspired the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-22 (cm. GREECO-TURKISH WAR). In 1924 Greece was declared a republic. As a result of a falsified plebiscite (1935), the monarchy was restored in Greece; A military dictatorship was established in 1936. In October 1940, Italian troops invaded Greece (they were expelled from the country in November 1940). In April 1941, Greece was attacked by Germany, which soon occupied it. King George II fled the country. In September 1941, the Greek National Liberation Front (EAF) was created, and in December - the People's Liberation Army (ELAS), led by Greek communists. By the end of October 1944, the entire Greek mainland was liberated. The “government of national unity” created in May 1944 called upon British and American troops to Greece, which began military operations against ELAS in December 1944. Greek peasants were provided with financial assistance so that they would not support the communists. By 1949, the partisan war had ceased; in September 1946, after a plebiscite, the king returned to the throne. In 1967-74, after the coup, “black colonels” came to power. In July 1974, due to the Cyprus crisis, the regime fell and a civilian government came to power in Greece. As a result of a referendum (December 8, 1974), the monarchy was abolished in Greece. In 1981 Greece joined the European Union (cm. EUROPEAN UNION). In NATO since 1952. After the collapse of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Greece makes claims against Macedonia, demanding that it change the name, which it views as exclusively Greek heritage.
National holiday - March 25 (Independence Day, the beginning of the revolution of 1821).

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

See what "GREECE (state)" is in other dictionaries:

State structure. According to the 1975 constitution, Greece has a parliamentary form of government. The head of government is the prime minister, the leader of the party that has the majority of seats in parliament. The government is headed by the Prime Minister... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

The Hellenic Republic is an independent state in southeastern Europe, occupying the south of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece also owns numerous islands in the Ionian and Aegean seas, including Crete. Mainland Greece from three sides... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

Hellenic Republic, state in Southern Europe. The name Greece (from Latin Graecia), adopted in Russian. and other languages, derived from the ethnonym Greeks, a small tribe of Epirus Dorians from Illyria. In Greece itself they call their state Hellas or Hellas, t... Geographical encyclopedia

Greece- Greece. Agora in Corinth. GREECE (Greek Republic), a state in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands of the Mediterranean Sea (the largest are Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesvos). area 132 thousand km2. Population 10.3 million people,... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Ancient Greece, Hellas (Greek Hellás), the general name of the territory of the ancient Greek states that occupied the southern Balkan Peninsula, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coast of Thrace, the western coastline of Asia Minor and spread their influence in ... ...

I Ancient (Hellas), the general name for the territory of the ancient Greek states in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coast of Thrace, along the western coastline of Asia Minor. Ethnic composition of Greece in the 3rd millennium BC. e. motley... encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Greek Republic), a state in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands of the Mediterranean Sea (the largest are Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesvos). area 132 thousand km2. Population 10.3 million, mostly Greek. Official... ... Modern encyclopedia

Hellenic Republic, a state in South. Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands (the largest are Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesvos). 132 thousand km². population 10.3 million people (1993), St. 95% Greeks. Urban population 62.5% (1990).… … Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

State of Palestine at the Olympic Games IOC Code: PLE ... Wikipedia

Greece (Hellas), Kingdom of Greece (Basfleion tes Hellados). I. General information G. state in South-Eastern Europe. It occupies an important geographical position in the eastern Mediterranean, close to Asia and Africa. Includes the southern part... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Books

• Movie album No. 18 Collection of educational animated films (4DVD), You are holding in your hands a unique educational publication consisting of 4 animated films by the world famous director Robert Sahakayants. Within 3 hours, Grandfather and Grandson together with... Category: Educational cartoons Series: Movie Album Publisher:

Greece- a state in southern Europe, located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and on the islands adjacent to it and the coast of Asia Minor (Greece includes about 2 thousand islands, which account for almost 20% of the entire country). In the north it borders with Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria, in the northeast - with Turkey. In the east it is washed by the Aegean Sea, in the west by the Ionian Sea, and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea. The capital is the city of Athens.

The Greek landscape is an alternation of rocky, usually treeless mountains, densely populated valleys, numerous islands, straits and bays.

Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the country's surface. These are predominantly medium-altitude mountains (up to 1200-1800 m). The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus (2917 m). Pindus, Parnassus, the mountain range of Central Greece and Taygetos also rise above 2000 meters. There are few plains, they are concentrated in the eastern half of the country, with the exception of the Peloponnese, where plains predominate on the west coast.

The territory of Greece can be divided into three parts:

Mainland Greece, which includes Macedonia (Florina, Pella), Thrace (Rhodopi, Kavala), Epirus (Thesprotia, Preveza), Thessaly (Larissa, Magnesia) and Central Greece (Phthiotis, Phocis, Attica). Also geographically, the Ionian Islands can be included in this region;

Peloponnese- the largest peninsula of Greece and the center of the most ancient civilization in Europe, includes the nomes of Arcadia, Laconia, Messinia, etc. The famous Corinth Canal, dug by a French company for the Greek state in the 19th century, is also located here;

Islands of the Aegean Sea, the largest of which are Crete - the largest island of Greece and the eighth in Europe (8259 km²) and Euboea - the second largest island of Greece after Crete (3654 km²), connected to the continent by a bridge across the Euripus Strait, as well as Lesbos (1630 km²), located off the coast of Turkey. There are also many groups of small islands - the Northern Sporades, Cyclades, Dodecanese.

Climate

The climate of Greece can be divided into three types: Mediterranean, alpine and temperate, each of which affects a strictly defined area.

The Mediterranean climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers (the number of sunny days per year exceeds 300). The hottest period lasts from mid-July to mid-August, so those who like to relax in moderate temperatures are better off vacationing in Greece in May, June, September and October.

The Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, the eastern Peloponnese and part of Central Greece are located in the Mediterranean climate zone. Temperatures here do not often reach record highs, and in winter, even the Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands can sometimes experience snow during the winter months. The holiday season on the islands begins earlier than in Northern Greece and lasts from April to October. In Northern Greece, the season lasts from May to September.

The alpine climate is more typical for the mountainous regions of the country: Epirus, Central Greece, Western Macedonia, part of Thessaly, as well as the nomes of Achaea, Arcadia and Laconia.

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace can be classified as temperate regions, with relatively cold and wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Athens is located in a transition zone where two types of climates meet: Mediterranean and temperate. The northern part of Athens has a temperate climate, while the central and southern regions have Mediterranean climate characteristics.

Last changes: 04/25/2010

Population

The population of Greece in 2009 is 10,737,428 people. Urban population: 61% of the total population.

National composition of the population: the majority of the population of Greece are Greeks (93%), Albanians (4%), Macedonian Slavs (close to the Macedonians, 1.2%), Aromanians (1.1%), etc.

The country has only one officially recognized national minority - the Muslims of Thrace, who profess Islam. These are, first of all, Turks and Pomaks - Muslim Bulgarians. They live compactly in northern Greece, in Thrace, near the border with Turkey, and in large cities of the country. There are large Albanian populations in Epirus and Western Macedonia, mainly in Kastoria and Florina. There are also small ethnic groups of Jews, Aromanians, Bulgarians, Macedonians and other Balkan peoples.

Almost 98% of the population adheres to the autocephalous (independent) Greek Orthodox faith. In this regard, there are a large number of churches, temples and monasteries in Greece. The Greek Orthodox Church plays an important role in society.

In the border areas there are Muslims (1.3%), Catholics and Protestants.

On the territory of the Ionian Islands and the Dodecanese Islands, which have long been under the rule of Catholic states, Catholicism is quite widespread.

Almost all residents of the country (99%) speak Greek. English is spoken in tourist areas.

Last changes: 04/30/2013

Currency

Euro (€, bank code: EUR).

Coins in denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; ?12. Banknotes in denomination: ?5, ?10, ?20, ?50, ?100, ?200, ?500.

Cash currency can be exchanged only in banks or exchange offices (a tax of 1-2% of the amount exchanged is charged), as well as in special sections of post offices.

The number of ATMs is quite large. Hotels, large tourist centers and supermarkets accept credit cards from major international payment systems, often with a 3-5% commission per bank transaction (cash is easiest to receive with a Cirrus/Maestro card).

Traveler's checks are exchanged at banks and representative offices of the relevant companies, but the commission for their exchange is quite high. It is better to pay current expenses in euros.

Banks are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 14.00 (on Friday until 13.30). Some banks in areas of major tourist centers are open from 15.00 to 21.00. All banks are closed on weekends and national holidays.

Last changes: 04/25/2010

Communications

Dialing code: 30

Internet domain: . gr, .eu

Police: 100, ambulance: 150, fire brigade: 199, roadside assistance: 104.

Telephone codes for Athens - 210, Thessaloniki - 2310.

How to call

To call Greece from Russia you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 30 - city code - subscriber number.

To call from Greece to Russia you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - number of the called subscriber.

Landline communications

To call from a pay phone, you need 10 cent coins or a telecard (sold in newsstands, designed for 100-1000 calls and costs from 3 to 20 euros). With their help you can call anywhere in Greece and abroad. You can call from your hotel, but this is much more expensive (some hotels allow you to call abroad from your room if you have a credit card), from a special telephone bureau or from a pay phone at newsstands. After 20.00 discounts apply.

Internet

Wi-Fi hotspots are available in some hotels. Internet cafes are available in most resorts and almost all cities.

Last changes: 05/27/2010

Shopping

Shops are open from 9:00 to 15:00 (in summer - from 8:30) and from 17:30 to 20:30 (in summer - until 21:00). In tourist centers, shops can be open until late in the evening and seven days a week.

In addition to fur coats and all kinds of fur products, you can buy good knitwear, leather goods and leather shoes at a good price in the country.

In addition, high-quality and varied jewelry made of gold and silver is made here. You can also purchase figurines made of marble and alabaster, “red-figure” and “black-figure” vases, as well as other ceramics, lace and embroidery.

One of the main products that tourists buy in Greece is olive oil. You can purchase it both in supermarkets and directly at the airport in the Duty-free store. You should also pay attention to the following products: honey, olives, ouzo. Very often, these products replace tourists with souvenirs and gifts for friends and acquaintances.

Last changes: 04/25/2010

Where to stay

Greek hotels are classified not by stars, but by letters (categories): Deluxe (5*), A (4*), B (3*) and C (2*). For excursion tours, hotels of categories B and C are usually offered - simple, but clean and with everything you need in the rooms (air conditioning, TV, etc.).

Sea and beaches

The coastline of mainland Greece and its many islands is approximately 16 thousand kilometers. In the east, Greece is washed by the Aegean Sea, in the west by the Ionian Sea, and in the south by the Mediterranean. Most beaches are sandy - with white or black volcanic sand; There are also fine pebble and rocky beaches.

All beaches are municipal, so you can use sunbeds and umbrellas for an additional fee (about 4 euros per day). Many hotels provide free sun loungers and umbrellas for their guests.

Many beaches have a well-developed infrastructure: restaurants and cafes, rental facilities for water sports equipment are available to vacationers. Topless sunbathing is allowed on all beaches.

In 2008, 416 Greek beaches along almost the entire coast of the country were awarded the Blue Flag - a kind of international quality mark awarded to the cleanest beaches.

Last changes: 09/01/2010

Story

The geographical location of Greece was one of the determining factors in its historical and cultural development. The proximity to the regions where ancient civilizations originated made it possible for the Greeks to enter into close cultural contacts with them.

In the V-IV centuries BC. e. Ancient Greek civilization reached its apogee. It is no coincidence that this period of history is called classical.

For the first time, Greek city-states lost their independence as a result of the victorious campaign of the Macedonian king Philip II. This was followed by a Roman invasion in the mid-2nd century. BC.

776 BC First Olympic Games.

594 BC The Laws of Solon are the first democratic legislation in the world.

VI-V centuries BC. Greco-Persian Wars:

490 BC - Battle of Marathon.

480 BC - Battle of Salamis.

479 BC - Battle of Plataea.

443-429 BC. The reign of Pericles - the "Golden Age" of Athens.

Mid-IV century BC. Victory of King Philip II of Macedonia over a coalition of southern Greek cities.

336-323 BC. The assassination of Philip II, the proclamation of his son Alexander as king. Alexander the Great conquers Western Asia, Egypt, Persia, Central Asia and part of India.

146 BC Subjugation of Greece to Rome. 27 BC
Formation of the Roman province of Achaia in Greece.

49-58 Preaching of the Apostle Paul in Thessaloniki, Corinth and Athens. The formation of early Christianity.

324-337 Victory of Christianity under Emperor Constantine the Great.

395-1453 Division of the Roman Empire into Western and Eastern (Byzantine). Greece is part of the Byzantine Empire.

500s Byzantium launched an offensive against the barbarians and captured the entire Mediterranean coast.

7th century Byzantium becomes “more Greek.” The Latin language is falling out of use. Remote provinces begin to disappear.

10-11th centuries The Macedonian dynasty returned the lands taken by the Arabs and established good neighborly relations with Russia. “Division of churches”, when Constantinople “cursed” Rome, and this “curse” was “lifted” only in 1967.

1204-1261 The capture of Constantinople by the crusaders and the creation of the Latin Empire.

1453-1821 Turkish rule was the darkest period in the life of Greece. The country is falling into decay.

1821-1829 National liberation revolution against the Turkish yoke. Russian-Turkish War (1828-1829). Russia's defeat of the Ottoman Empire. Signing of the Adrianople Peace Treaty.

1830 London Conference. Russia, England and France declared Greece an independent state.

1832 Proclamation of Otto I of Bavaria as the first king of Greece.

1912-1913 Balkan wars. Greece returns northern territories (Macedonia).

1917 Greek participation in the First World War on the side of the Entente.

1919-1921 Northern Convention. Greek military campaign in Asia Minor. "Asia Minor catastrophe": 1.6 million Greeks repatriated from Asia Minor.

1924-1935 Proclamation of Greece as a republic.

1936-1941 General Metaxas establishes a military dictatorship.

1940 Italian invasion of Greece.

1941-1944 Occupation of Greece by German and Italian fascists. National Resistance Movement.

1944 Liberation of Greece.

1946-1949 Civil War.

1952 Greece joins NATO.

1979 The agreement on Greece's accession to the EEC is signed.

January 2002 Introduction of the single European currency - the euro.

2004 Olympic Games-XXVIII in Athens.

Last changes: 04/25/2010

To visit churches and monasteries, modest clothing with covered shoulders is required: ladies in shorts, miniskirts or trousers will definitely not be allowed into the temple. But women do not have to cover their heads.

It is better to visit archaeological excavations in the morning: during the day it will be too crowded and hot - the impressions may be blurred.

On Sundays in Greece, admission to all museums is free. On any day, archaeologists, architects, artists and university professors visit museums and ancient monuments for free, and students are given a 50% discount.

The Greek population has a long tradition of expressing their protest actively and en masse. Usually, the aggression of the local population is directed not at people, but at things, but it is still better not to go out into the street during a demonstration. Greek police routinely fire tear gas at protesters, which can cause serious breathing problems for people with asthma and those who wear contact lenses.

To avoid getting sunstroke, drink more water and go to the beach with an umbrella, and plan outdoor excursions in the morning.

Another problem that arises in some parts of the country is that when walking outdoors, mosquitoes can be a major nuisance. Use repellent and do not leave windows open at night.

In Greece, it is against the law to take photographs of military installations and installations, and disobedience can result in arrest.

Smoking is officially prohibited in taxis and in all public places, but even in Greek hospitals this rule is not enforced.

Last changes: 01/20/2013

How to get there

Direct regular flights Moscow - Athens are operated by Aeroflot and Atlant-Soyuz, from Moscow to Thessaloniki - Atlant-Soyuz and Vim-Avia. In summer, transportation expands with charter flights to Crete, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Zakynthos (Aeroflot, Transaero, Sky Express, Nord Wind, Greek airline Aegean Airlines, etc.). Also in the summer there are charter flights from: Krasnodar (Crete), Rostov-on-Don (Rhodes, Thessaloniki), Kazan (Crete, Rhodes), Perm (Crete).

In winter, the Greek islands can only be reached with a connection in Athens or Thessaloniki or through Turkey: to Rhodes via Marmaris, to Kos from Bodrum.

Aerosvit airlines have regular flights from Kyiv to Athens and Thessaloniki.

Turkish Airlines planes fly from Almaty to Athens (with a connection in Istanbul).

Belavia airlines fly from Minsk to Thessaloniki.

There is no direct train from Russia to Greece; you can travel with a change in Sofia or Belgrade. Bulgarian, Serbian and Romanian transit visas will be required. Travel time to Athens is about 90 hours, and the price will be more expensive than an air ticket.

The largest number of ferry lines connect Greece with Italy, and the exact schedule and tariffs can be found on the website of the Viamare ferry company. There are regular connections between Turkish resort towns and the islands of Greece (Marmaris - Rhodes, Bodrum - Kos, Kusadasi - Samos, Chios - Cesme, Lesvos - Ayvalik). With Israel: Athens - Rhodes - Limassol - Haifa.

Distance from Athens by road: Moscow - 3180 km, Sofia - 820 km, Bucharest - 1220 km, Tirana - 815 km, Istanbul - 1135 km, Skopje - 710 km.

Last changes: 02/07/2013

You may not know the geography of the country you have chosen for your vacation, and spend your entire vacation limiting yourself to exploring “your” resort and its surroundings. Or you can plan a great trip that covers several countries at once. And such a vacation will definitely be remembered for a long time!

Before traveling to the Balkans, many tourists find out who it borders with. This knowledge will allow you not only to expand your horizons, but also to create an interesting trip route to a neighboring state. Such excursions take at least two days, because at best you will have to spend 5-6 hours on the road.

Countries to choose from

Greece is located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. It includes not only part of the mainland, but also many islands of different sizes, among which there are huge ones, on which several cities and villages are built, and very small, uninhabited ones, which often go under water during storms.

On land, Greece borders four countries:

• Albania. The small state in the southwest of the Balkan Peninsula shares a 282 km long border with Greece;
• Republic. The border between this country and Greece is 228 km;
• Bulgaria. Greece has the longest border with it - 494 km;
• Turkey. Only 206 km of land and the Aegean Sea separate Greece.

All of these countries can be entered from Greece. This allows you to expand the geography of your own travels and choose convenient flights.

Macedonia – formerly Greece

The historical region of Macedonia occupied the north of present-day Greece, part of modern Greece, and the Republic of Macedonia. In the 5th century BC. e. the inhabitants of Macedonia were not considered Greeks. In Hellas of those times it was believed that Macedonia was inhabited by barbarians who did not have their own culture. But Macedonia was famous for its natural resources. There was everything here: steep mountains, including the mountain - the abode of the gods, pine forests, turquoise sea, lakes rich in fish. For a long time, Macedonia was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning of the 20th century, all nearby countries began to lay claim to this historical province. After the First Balkan War, Macedonia was divided by Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia.

One of the republics of the former Yugoslavia is now called the Republic of Macedonia. It borders Greece and proudly bears its ancient name, which incredibly irritates the Greeks. Greece believes that Macedonia has no right to this name. Local residents call the Republic of Macedonia - this is the name of the main city of the Macedonians. This dispute has no solution: each country is confident that it is right. However, tourists care little about it. There are no bus or train connections between Greece and Macedonia, but nothing will prevent you from traveling to neighboring Macedonia with a rented car. There are no queues at the border between the two countries. Tourists in Macedonia are treated kindly.

Türkiye - eastern neighbor

There are many Turks living in Greece. Even in cities remote from the border with Turkey, such as , there are Turkish quarters. There is an excellent ferry connection between Greece and Turkey. From any large city located in the Aegean or Mediterranean Sea, such as Lemnos, Lesbos, and others, ferries run regularly, allowing you to easily reach the Turkish shores. Most tourists choose Turkish, Marmaris, etc. for holidays and excursions.

From most Greek islands, ferries travel non-stop to Turkey. From Santorini, which is especially popular among holidaymakers, you will have to get to Turkish resorts with one transfer to or Rhodes. From Kos to Bodrum, a speedboat takes tourists in just 20 minutes. The journey from Bodrum will take about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Travelers wishing to cross from the Turkish port of Ayvalik must be prepared to pay a large amount of money. Ferries between these cities do not operate regularly, and accordingly, the crossing itself is expensive.

Any travel agency in Greek resorts will help you with purchasing ferry tickets. The agency's staff will also select a convenient time for moving and, if necessary, book a hotel room in Turkey.

From Greece to Bulgaria and Albania

You can get to Bulgaria from the cities of Northern Greece, especially from Thessaloniki, by public transport. International luxury buses depart from the White Tower in Thessaloniki, which is the city center, and travel to, stopping along the way in several Bulgarian cities. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. From here you can take a bus or train to the Black Sea resorts.

There is also a train from Thessaloniki to Sofia. It departs once a week and goes until , stopping for two hours in Sofia.

There is no regular bus service between Greece and Greece. From Thessaloniki you can get to Albania, but you will have to find out the bus schedule only on the spot. Tourists who vacation on the island have a much greater chance of ending up in Albania. It is connected to the Albanian city by ferry service. A ferry ticket will cost about 20 euros.

Greece is a country unique in beauty, culture and history in southern Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula. Although Greece occupies a small territory (about 132 thousand square kilometers), and its population has only 10.3 million inhabitants, it is difficult to find equals in terms of historical and archaeological heritage. Just imagine: the capital of Greece - Athens - was founded back in the seventh millennium BC!

In Hellas (as the locals call their country), interesting sights and cultural monuments can be found in literally every city and town. But first of all, Greece attracts tourists with its delightful beaches, clear water of the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas, picturesque islands, mild subtropical climate and amazing nature.

It is not surprising that the country is nicknamed a real paradise for relaxation: more than 11 million tourists come here every year, and each of them finds entertainment to their liking. More than 90% of travelers visiting Greece are residents of European countries, but in recent years tourists from other continents have also come.

The main tourist centers of the country are islands and large resorts. But even for lovers of peace and solitude, Greece has many small resorts that have not yet been reached by mass tourism. Whichever location you choose, one thing is clear: your holiday in Greece will not disappoint.

Short story

Greece is the cradle of Western civilization. This is the place where democracy was born. It is surprising that already in Ancient Greece all citizens actively participated in the discussion of public issues and could become government representatives. Modern Greece still maintains its ancient traditions, but some states of the world have not yet come to this.

According to archaeological excavations, the first human settlements in Greece appeared between 11,000 and 3,000 BC. A little later, the first civilizations (Minoan, Cycladic and Mycenaean) arose here. The most fruitful period in the development of Greece is considered to be the legendary “Golden Age”, which lasted from the 6th to the 4th centuries BC. It was at this time that the state gave us dozens of exceptional representatives of science and art.

The Beginning of Civilization

Ancient Greece repeatedly faced military invasions. The Persian army invaded the country several times, and in 146 BC. Roman legionnaires came here. They did not destroy the local culture, but admired it and adopted a lot from the Greeks. Therefore, the most important Roman landmarks are considered ancient Greek heritage.

When the Roman Empire split in two, Greece became part of eastern Byzantium, whose capital was Constantinople. Byzantium existed for 11 centuries in a row, but in 1453 it was conquered by the Turks.

Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire for about four centuries. In 1821, as a result of an uprising of the local population, the country regained independence.

20th century and our time

In the 20th century, the country was engaged in the return of ancestral territories. These goals were partially achieved during the Balkan Wars and the First World War. Greece was also affected by the Second World War. The Greeks repelled the attack of Nazi Italy, but were occupied by the Germans until 1945. After the victory over the Nazis, a civil war began in the country, which lasted until 1949.

From that time on, the country developed calmly until the coup d'etat that occurred in 1967. The rebels overthrew King Constantine II and established a military dictatorship known as the rule of the "black colonels".

The dictatorial rule of Greece made a large number of strategic mistakes, as a result of which Cyprus was invaded by the Turkish army in 1974. The northern part of the island was occupied by the Turks and founded an unrecognized republic here. Such a major failure led to the overthrow of the dictatorship.

In 1974, a referendum was held in Greece, after which parliamentary democracy was again established in the country, and a year later they adopted a Constitution, which is still in force today.

From 1952 to 1973, Greece was a member of NATO. After a break, the country re-joined NATO and the European Union in 1981, and since 2002 has joined the eurozone.

Economy

The political and economic position of Greece today is very precarious. The country receives its main income from the agricultural-industrial sector and, of course, tourism. Back in 2007, the state was in 25th position in the world in the Population Potential Development Ranking and was included in the group of developed countries. After the economic crisis of 2008, Greece returned to developing countries.

If we talk about sectors of the Greek economy, then 27.3% of GDP comes from industry; 8.3% for agriculture and almost 65% for services. Tourism accounts for more than 15% of income.

Greece has a well-developed agricultural sector, but industrial development is hampered by a low level of production. The most profitable industries remain food, metallurgy, petrochemicals and textiles. 21% of the working population works in industrial sectors, but most of them work in small factories with a low level of technical development.

Queue at the ATM, 2015

At the beginning of the 21st century, significant financial changes occurred in Greece with the arrival of foreign investors and lenders. This made the local economy more stable, but required it to adapt to Western integration, losing ground to partners from other EU countries.

To support the economy, the government used huge loans from foreign banks. The country's investment debts continue to increase. Now the country’s external debt has exceeded 450 billion euros, which is twice the state’s GDP.

Briefly, the modern Greek economy can be characterized by two definitions: the stagnation of the banking system and the slow increase in GDP. The shadow economy (20%) and corruption remain a serious problem in the country. Unfortunately, the economy of such a successful and highly developed country in the past is now literally hanging by a thread.

Regions, cities and resorts

Main cities of Greece

Athens is the capital of Greece and the cradle of world culture. In an urban agglomeration with an area of ​​more than 410 sq. km (almost six times less than Moscow) is home to 3 million people. In Athens, as elsewhere, you can see microdistricts with panel houses and industrial zones. But tourists come here for the historical center, which it towers over (it began to be built back in 447 BC).

Thessaloniki

North Aegean Islands

The North Aegean Islands cover 3,840 square meters. km, capital – Mytilene. In the northern part of the Aegean Sea there are several large, attractive islands for tourists. The mountains there often exceed 1,000 m, and the nature resembles a fairy tale. This region is very similar to the coast of Turkey. Many local islands are famous all over the world. Homer was born on the island of Chios, and delicious wine is made on Samos. Lesvos is interesting not only as the site of Sappho's work, but also as an area with petrified trees that are over 700,000 years old.

You can find out more details about Samos.

Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

Attractions and entertainment

Greece is a place with a concentration of ancient sights, Orthodox churches and monasteries, unique nature and hospitable residents. It is impossible not to fall in love with its architectural and natural beauty, just as it is impossible to list here absolutely all the sights of the country that are worthy of visiting.

There is entertainment in Greece for tourists with any preferences. This includes a beach holiday, active leisure, cultural and educational events, and exciting excursions to natural attractions. We will list here the most famous places in Greece that are definitely worth visiting.

Sights of Athens

The capital of Ancient Hellas, the modern metropolis of Athens, has preserved unique historical and cultural monuments of architecture. In Athens, the first place to visit is the Acropolis and its ancient temples, which have undergone partial restoration.

We also recommend visiting the Temple of Poseidon on the shores of the Aegean Sea and the historical area of ​​Plaka. Walk through the city streets and squares and see the unusual stone theater called the Odeon of Herodotus Atticus. If you have time, you can visit Athens museums, of which there are a lot in the city.

The marble Panathinaikos Stadium deserves special attention; just looking at it will take your breath away. It was recreated from snow-white marble using fragments of an ancient stadium. In addition, it is in the city that the temples of the Greek gods, which were mentioned in ancient Greek myths, have been preserved.

Castle of the Knights in Rhodes

Acropolis in Lindos

The second most famous Acropolis after Athens is located in. It’s worth a visit just for the amazing views of the coast. Now the Acropolis has become a museum of archeological monuments from different eras and civilizations. It was built by the ancient Greeks, but later it was strengthened and improved by all the conquerors of the country.

Melissani Cave Lake

A karst cave on the island of Kefalonia delights with a unique lake with clear waters. The turquoise water in the lake is so clear that the boats seem to be floating in the air. According to legend, nymphs used to live in this cave, surrounded by forests and beautiful nature.

Amphitheater at Delphi

The ancient amphitheater at Delphi overlooking the Temple of Apollo can accommodate 5,000 people. The ancient landmark, built in the 4th century BC, has undergone many reconstructions and has survived to this day. Original cultural events still take place here today.

Lake Plastira

Of course, Greece is a maritime country with some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. But many people are interested in the artificial lake, named after its creator, General Plastir. This unique place is located on a hill, and the landscapes surrounding the lake delight in beauty. In addition, there are many opportunities for active recreation: bicycles, rafting, horse riding, hiking, etc.

The 16 km long Samaria Gorge was formed by the flow of a river on the island of Crete. In this protected area you can see all kinds of birds, but the main local attraction is the Gorge Gate. This is a gap between 300-meter walls that is only 4 meters wide.

Monument to Yuri Gagarin

Imagine that in Greece there is a monument to the world’s first cosmonaut – Yuri Gagarin. It is located on the island of Crete, in the city of Heraklion. What is he doing in the middle of the pearls of ancient architecture? According to the official version, it attracts Russian tourists - who were not impressed by the previous attractions.

Culture

Greece has an Orthodox culture, so the country's main public holidays are Christmas, Assumption and Easter. During Christmas, the squares of all cities are beautifully decorated with illuminations, but the holiday is celebrated at home, in the family. On the Assumption, festivals are organized in many places, but Easter is celebrated most magnificently. Religious processions and services have been held across the country since Friday, and colorful fireworks displays at midnight on Saturday.

Another unusual Greek holiday is the Apokries carnival, which is held on the eve of Lent. Festive events take place throughout Greece, and the main ones are attended by the patriarch. Costume processions and celebrations end 7 days before the end of Lent.

It should be noted that in addition to general national holidays, residents of most cities in Greece celebrate regional holidays - grape harvest festivals, historical and religious celebrations.

Features of the local population

Greeks gesture a lot and value openness and politeness in people. They treat their friends and acquaintances as relatives, which may be unusual for Russian-speaking people. Residents of Greece love to relax, many of them are interested in football and politics.

The majority of the population professes Orthodoxy, which is the state religion and is even indicated in the passport. In churches, women must cover their shoulders and legs. Men are also not allowed to enter the temple with bare shoulders, although many do not follow this rule during the tourist season.

Residents of Greece smoke a lot, but recently the state has begun to pass laws to combat smoking. If a taxi driver smokes in front of you, you can calmly ask him not to do so.

Kitchen

Greek cuisine combines national traditions and culinary features of other nations. Italy and Türkiye had a particularly noticeable influence on local cuisine. Greek chefs love to use a variety of vegetables, herbs and seafood in their dishes. Greeks also often prepare meat dishes (lamb, pork, beef), but chicken is still the most popular.

One of the most important ingredients in Greek cuisine is olive oil (it is added literally everywhere), as well as tomato paste and lemons. At dinner you can always see wine and bread on the table. Be sure to try seafood dishes, they are simply delicious in Greece. Order fried fish, octopus or the local delicacy - sea urchin eggs, seasoned with olive oil and lemon.