Greece located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula and on the adjacent 2000 islands of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian seas, which account for almost 20% of its territory and of which only 166 are inhabited. By land, Greece borders on Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. From the west to the east of the Aegean Sea stretches a chain of islands - the Cyclades, and from north to south along the coast of Asia Minor - the Sporades (Dodecanese). In the south, the Aegean Sea, as it were, closes with Crete, the largest island of Greece. Along the western coast are the Ionian Islands.
The country is named after the ethnonym of the people - the Greeks.
Official name: Hellenic Republic
Capital: Athens
The area of the land: 132 thousand sq. km
Total population: 11.3 million people
Administrative division: 51 nomes (prefecture), which are divided into 264 dimas (districts), and a special administrative unit - the region of the Holy Mountain - Athos.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: The president.
Composition of the population: 93% - Greeks, 7% - Turks, Albanians, Bulgarians, Macedonians and Armenians.
Official language: Greek
Religion: 98% - Greek Orthodox. Meet - Muslims, Catholics and Protestants.
Internet domain: .gr
Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz
Phone country code: +30
Country barcode: 520
Climate
The climate of Greece is subtropical Mediterranean. It differs somewhat across the country. In the northern half of Greece, the coldest months are January and February. At this time, at night, the air temperature drops to slightly positive values (+1...+3), and in some years to slightly negative values (0...-2), in the daytime it is 8...10 degrees .
The warmest time of the year is July and August. Even at night in these months, the temperature never falls below +20; during the day, it often crosses the thirty-degree mark. The rainiest period in the north of the country lasts from November to January. At this time, the number of days with precipitation ranges from 10 to 12 days per month. The driest period: from July to September (monthly number of days with precipitation from 3 to 5).
The climate of the plains and foothills of the central part of Greece is almost the same as in the north. But in the mountainous regions that occupy most of the territory, the temperature is much lower, and some mountain peaks are covered with snow all year round.
In the south of Greece, the coldest months are January and February, when at night the air temperature is about + 6o, in the daytime 12 ... 13o. The hottest time is July. In it at night its value is 22 ... 23 degrees, in the daytime on average + 30 ... + 33 degrees. The maximum number of days with precipitation falls on November - January (the number of days with precipitation during the month is 12-16), the driest period is from June to September (the number of days with precipitation during the month is 2-4).
On the islands, temperatures are higher at night, and the heat of the day is softened by a cool breeze blowing from the sea. The coldest time of the year is from December to March. At night at this time it is from 5 to 8 degrees, in the daytime 11 ... 16 degrees. The warmest time of the year is from June to September, when at night the temperature is 21...22, in the daytime 27...30 degrees. The wettest time is from December to February (the number of days with precipitation in each of the months is 9-12), the driest is from June to September (not a drop of rain may fall for the entire month of this period).
The swimming season begins in May, when the water temperature during the month rises from +17 to +19. In summer (from June to August) it is 20...25 degrees, in September and October 21...23 degrees. During the rest of the year, the water temperature off the coast of Greece is never below +15 degrees.
Geography
Greece occupies the southeastern and southern parts of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as a number of islands, which account for one fifth of the territory. The largest islands are Crete, Rhodes, Lesbos, Euboea. Greece's neighbors in the north are Macedonia and Bulgaria, in the northwest - Albania, in the northeast - Turkey. From the south, the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, from the west - by the Ionian, from the east - by the Aegean.
On the northern coast of the Aegean Sea, called Thrace, are the southern spurs of the Rhodope Mountains. The central part of mainland Greece is occupied by the Pindus mountain range, the highest point of which is Mount Olympus, the home of the ancient mythological gods. Olympus rises to a height of 2917 m. On the peninsulas, the mountains are rocky, but in some places they recede inland, giving way to flat areas. The relief of numerous islands is also mountainous. The largest plains of Greece, Thessaly and Thessaloniki, are located along the coast of the Aegean Sea.
The rivers of Greece are small in length. Basically, they flow along faults in the mountains, therefore they have a fast current. The main rivers are Arachtos, Aheeloos, Alyakmon, Pinhos and Sperchios (mainland), Alfios and Evrotas (Peloponnese), Aksios (Vardar), Strymon (Struma) and Nestos (Mesta) (Macedonia and Thrace). In Greece, there are many lakes of karst origin, there are also mineral springs. The area of Greece is 132 thousand sq. km.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
The vegetation of Greece is very diverse (there are more than 6 thousand plant species) and varies depending on the height above sea level. Shrubs predominate: they cover 25% of the country's territory, while forests - only 19%. In ancient times, only a small part of the land was suitable for processing and cultivating crops. In order to get new territories for arable land and gardens, they began to cut down forests covering the slopes of the mountains. Therefore, now only 12% of the country's territory is occupied by forests.
They say that "Greece was eaten by goats." Indeed, sheep and goats, bred for a long time by the Greeks, ate and trampled the young shoots of trees. Thickets of evergreens - maquis and shiblyak - are widespread here. Freegana thickets are also typical for Greece - low, poorly deciduous prickly shrubs. Many scientists believe that this is a secondary vegetation that formed on the site of oak forests cut down in ancient times.
The evergreen Mediterranean vegetation covers the plains and almost all the foothills. Maquis and freegana are the most characteristic of this belt. There are groves of pines, evergreen oaks, cypresses and plane trees. Mastic pistachio, a deciduous plant, grows on the peninsula. If you make a notch on it, juice will flow - mastic, a transparent varnish is made from the dog, which is used to cover picturesque paintings.
The so-called "evergreen belt" mainly consists of cultivated vegetation. Its most typical representative is the olive tree. It is impossible to imagine Greece without olive groves. The olive branch has long been a symbol of Greek culture, the Greek land. Meanwhile, the olive tree is just as alien here as the Greek tribes. The birthplace of the olive tree is the sultry coast of Phoenicia. The Phoenicians, fearless navigators, were the first to master the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. They brought the bones of an unprecedented plant to Crete. Curiosities were loved in Crete. So next to the palace of Minos, the first olive grove appeared.
In the coastal lowlands (especially in Central and Northern Greece), most of the land is occupied by cereal fields, as well as cotton and tobacco plantations. On the plains and in the foothill zone, vineyards and orchards of Mediterranean fruit trees are widespread. Pyramid cypresses are often found near settlements. Orchards are often bordered by high natural hedges of agaves and prickly pear, which complete the colorful picture of the cultivated vegetation of the evergreen belt.
Evergreen and deciduous forests grow from 120 to 460 m - oak, black spruce, walnut, beech, sumac. Following the “evergreen belt” is a belt of mountain forests and shrubs, in which, with increasing height, cultivated vegetation is increasingly replaced by natural, evergreen forests and shrubs are replaced by deciduous, and the latter by conifers, reaching the upper border of the forest, and wild flowers such as anemones and cyclamens.
Above the slopes, first deciduous (oak, maple, plane tree, ash, linden, chestnut, beech in the upper part) and then coniferous (fir, pine) forests grow; above 2000 m - subalpine meadows.
Greece, like the Balkans in general, abounds in walnuts. They are called the acorns of the gods, and they grow on deciduous trees with a spreading crown up to 30 meters high. Jam is prepared from unripe nuts, mature nuts and nut butter are very healthy and tasty.
Animal world
Little natural vegetation has survived in Greece, the country's fauna is poor in mammals, especially large ones, which have been exterminated by humans for several millennia. The red deer is almost exterminated, but small animals such as rabbits and hares are common. Larger animals are still found in the mountains: the mountain goat and brown bear are found in Pinda and the mountains along the border with Bulgaria, and the wolf is found in more remote forest areas.
Also from predators in Greece you can see a wild cat, a fox, a jackal, a stone marten, a badger, a wild boar, a European bear, a lynx. Of the ungulates, there are the Cretan wild goat, fallow deer, roe deer, and wild boar. On the territory of Greece, there are many animals listed in the Red Book, among them: the Mediterranean sea turtle, the monk seal.
The most numerous mammals are rodents (porcupine, gray hamster, mice, dormouse, voles, etc.), southern species of bats and insectivores - shrews, hedgehogs, moles. In Greece, a variety of reptiles - turtles, lizards, snakes. They easily tolerate heat and lack of moisture in the dry summer season. The wooded areas are home to the Greek tortoise, the most common tortoise species in the country. Of the numerous lizards, the most typical of Greece are rocky, or wall, Greek sharp-headed, Peloponnesian, Ionic and the largest in Europe - green. Among snakes, snakes, snakes, horned vipers are especially common.
Diverse and the world of birds. Quail, wild ducks, wood pigeons and stockheads, gray and especially mountain partridges, brightly feathered hoopoes, rollers, kingfishers, and predatory kites, black vultures, eagles, falcons, owls are the most typical representatives of the bird fauna of Greece and the entire Mediterranean. There are numerous flocks of seagulls on the sea coasts.
The long-nosed cormorant, curly pelican, and stork are also characteristic of Greece. The southern green woodpecker, mountain bunting lives in the forests. Representatives of the passerine order are typical for the country - stone sparrow, canary finch, Greek swallow. There are also many types of terrestrial mollusks (snails). So, in Crete there are 120 species of mollusks, of which 77 are peculiar only to this territory.
sights
- Athens Acropolis
- White tower in Thessaloniki
- Mount Olympus
- The sunken city of Olus
- Castle of the Knights of St. John
- Knossos palace
- Minotaur Labyrinth
- Lake Vulismeni
- Zeus statue in Olympia
- Theater of Dionysus
- Samaria Gorge
- Temple at Delphi
Banks and currency
Since 2002, a new currency has been introduced in Greece - the euro. Only euros and credit cards are accepted everywhere. Euros can be easily bought at exchange offices, including at a hotel, and exchanged back into dollars when leaving the country. Banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents are used. There are 100 cents in one euro. There is no "black market" for currency exchange.
Fur shops often accept US dollars for payment.
The working day of Greek banks is very short - from 8:00 to 13:00, at the latest - until 14:00. Exchange offices work until 20.00 even on weekends, but from 1 to 2% is charged for the exchange operation. There are many ATMs in the country that accept Visa, MasterCard, etc. Traveler's checks are also widely used.
Useful information for tourists
In restaurants, taverns and cafes, it is customary to give a tip in the amount of 5-10% of the order amount. To pay, it is not necessary to wait for the waiter - you can simply leave the money on the plate on which the bill was brought.
There is only one strict ban: when visiting monasteries, you can not wear shorts, T-shirts, and for women - trousers and miniskirts. However, it is not necessary to wear hats. In many monasteries, there is a small room in front of the entrance where long skirts and loose trousers hang, which you can put on if your clothes are too frivolous.
Greece - general information about the country
Greece map
Greece
Greece (self-name - Hellas (Greek Ελλάδα), official name - Hellenic Republic - a state in southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula.
The current Greek Constitution came into force on June 11, 1975. According to the form of government, Greece is a parliamentary republic. The political regime is democratic.
The recognized cradle of Western civilization, the place where the first democratic states known in history appeared. A member of the EU since 1981, NATO - since 1952 (in 1973-1981 the country left the organization).
Geography
Greece is located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and on the islands adjacent to it and to the coast of Asia Minor and covers an area of 131,994 km². It borders with Albania, the former Yugoslav Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. It is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, including: the Ionian, Aegean Seas, and the southern coast of Crete - the Libyan Sea. Greece consists of about 2 thousand islands, which account for almost 20% of the entire country.
The territory of Greece can be divided into three parts:
mainland Greece, which includes Macedonia (Florina, Slavic name Lerins, Pella Kavala, Kastoria, Halkidiki, etc.), Thrace (Rhodopi, Xanthi and Evros), Epirus (Thesprotia, Preveza Janina, etc.), Thessaly (Larisa, Magnesia, etc.) ) and Central Greece (Phthiotis, Phokis, Attica, etc.). Also geographically, the Ionian Islands can be attributed to 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;
the 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 thrown over the Strait of Eurypus, as well as Lesvos (1630 km²), located off the coast of Turkey. There are also many groups of small islands - 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 Pindus mountain range strongly influences the climate of the mainland: the regions located to the west of the slopes of Pindus (Epirus) receive more rainfall than the regions located on the eastern side of the range (Thessaly).
The Mediterranean type of climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, the eastern part of the Peloponnese and part of Central Greece are located in this type of climate. Temperatures here don't often hit record highs, and in winter, even in the Cyclades and Dodecanese, snow can occasionally fall during the winter months.
The Alpine type of 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 regions with a temperate climate type, with relatively cold and wet winters and hot, dry summers.
Athens is located in a transitional zone where two types of climate are combined: Mediterranean and temperate. In the northern part of Athens, a temperate climate prevails, while in the central and southern regions there are features of the Mediterranean climate.
Story
The history of Greece is very rich and has more than 5 millennia. By 2000 B.C. e. one of the most ancient civilizations, the Cretan-Mycenaean, was born on its territory. At this time, luxurious palaces are being built, science and art are developing, writing is taking shape. In subsequent centuries, the country reaches unprecedented heights in development: city-polises with a well-developed political system, trade, crafts. The cultural, political and social achievements of this era became the basis for the formation of many European civilizations. But against the background of this prosperity, a fierce struggle for supremacy was waged between the city-states, which over the years weakened the forces of the state. As a result, in 146 BC. Greece was subject to Rome. Fortunately, the Romans were the successors of Greek culture and brought it to the modern world. During this period, Christianity was born. Like any civilization, the Roman did not escape the decline. The collapse of the empire formally took place in 1054 due to the division of the church into Orthodox (Eastern) and Catholic (Western). But the reasons for the collapse were deeper - the slave system has become obsolete, the uprisings of slaves and the poor led to the creation of a new feudal system. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Greece was ceded to Byzantium. In 1453, the country was conquered by the Turks, and from that time on, decline began in all areas of activity. Liberation from the Ottoman yoke occurred only in 1821 as a result of the victory of the national liberation movement. The end of the 19th - the beginning of the 20th century became a period of military cataclysms. There were national unrest in Greece, she became a participant in the Balkan, First and Second World Wars. In 1974, as a result of a referendum, the monarchy was abolished and Greece became a republic. A new republican constitution was adopted in 1975. Greece is a member of the UN, GATT, IMF, WHO, ILO, Council of Europe, NATO, CFE, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, EU.
Population
The majority of the population of Greece are Greeks (95%), although these data are disputed due to inconsistencies in data on minorities, especially linguistic ones. It is believed that Greek statistics do not keep records of the population by nationality, but this is a false conclusion. The main officially recognized religious minority of modern Greece are the Muslims of Thrace and the Dodecanese Islands, including Turks (1% of the population of Greece), Pomaks (Bulgarian-speaking Muslims, 0.3%) and Muslim gypsies (0.1%). But here Greece follows the letter of the Lausanne Accords of 1924 and demands the same from Turkey, since this part of the population remained within Greece on the same terms that they were supposed to protect the Greek minority of Constantinople and the islands of Imvros and Tenedos. But only the Greek side follows the agreements - there is practically no Greek minority in Constantinople anymore.
There are minorities that are distinguished mainly by ethnographers on linguistic grounds, but they have their own specifics: Albanians (4%; including Arvanites) are a bilingual population with Greek self-consciousness, which gave the country dozens of national heroes in the fight against the Turks and Muslim Arvanites, “Slavic-speaking Greeks” or Macedonian Slavs (1.2%), who at the beginning of the 20th century called themselves Bulgarians and were recognized as such, Aromunians (1.1%, including Meglenites) are a bilingual group with Greek self-consciousness, which gave the country national heroes and good half of its patrons are Orthodox gypsies (another 0.8%).
Armenians, Serbs (0.3%), Arabs (0.3%), Jews (0.05%), etc. are officially recognized
Religion
Almost the entire population of Greece professes Orthodoxy. According to the Constitution, Orthodox Christianity is the state religion.
culture
The culture of Greece was formed over many thousands of years, starting from the time of the Minoan civilization, the formation took place during Classical Greece and Greece during the Roman domination. The Ottoman yoke also had an impact on the culture of the Greeks, mainly by slowing down the active development of ancient Greek culture. But even during the Greek Revolution, great works of literature, music, and painting were created. Orthodox Christianity had a huge impact on the entire culture of modern Greece. Some researchers believe that the modern culture of Greece is much more connected with the cultural heritage of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires than with the culture of ancient Hellas.
Tourism
Greece is visited by more than 19 million tourists annually, bringing, thereby, about 15% of the gross domestic product of the entire country. Greece attracts foreign visitors with its rich history and traditions from ancient times. But in recent decades, beach tourism has grown significantly. In 2005, only the capital of Greece - Athens, was visited by more than 6 million tourists.
Crete, Peloponnese, Rhodes - are corners of extraordinary beauty and are well suited for a vacation. On Crete, not far from the village of Hersonissos, there is a beautiful cape, from which the view opens up to the entire island, it is here that you can have a great time, because there is everything. On Rhodes, you can feel all the hospitality of Greece, if you relax near Kallithea. The island of Peloponnese in the town of Pyrgos (Tower gr.) has the longest sandy beach in the entire Mediterranean.
Mykonos and Santorini have long been among the most popular island tourist destinations in the world. In 2006, about 16.5 million tourists arrived in Greece. The number of jobs provided by the tourism and related industries was 659,719 in 2006. This is 16% of all workers employed in the Greek economy.
Transport
In Greece, all types of transport are represented.
Metro (Athens). It operates from 5:30 to 23:50, the interval between trains is 5 minutes during the day, 10 minutes in the morning and evening. A trip on new lines costs 0.73 euros, on old ground lines - 0.59 euros.
Bus and trolleybus. Most buses and trolleybuses operate from 05:30 to 00:00. The fare is 0.44 euros. The ticket must be purchased in advance at the stall of the city transport company at the end station or at the stall from a street vendor. To stop the bus, you need to raise your hand, to exit you need to press the button on the handrail.
Taxi. There are many taxis and this is a relatively inexpensive way to travel. It should be noted that a taxi driver may turn out to be not very decent and take you through the night counter during the day or, using your ignorance, circle around the city. You need to be prepared for the fact that the taxi driver will pick up passengers during the trip. The minimum fare is 1.47 euros, when traveling to the airport, railway and bus stations, an additional fee is charged in favor of a taxi driver in the amount of 0.44 euros; 0.44 euros is charged for each additional piece of baggage. Athens taxi drivers often choose to take a longer route or do not turn on the meter. Such acts are severely punished - you must write down the taxi number and report it to the tourist police.
Transport rental. Renting a car is not difficult. There are both international firms and local ones. When using the services of an international rental company, a car can be returned anywhere in the country, but in a local one it will be 1.5 times cheaper. The longer the period for which the car is taken, the greater the discount. For a weekly rental, a minicar like the Fiat Seicento will cost 25-30 euros per day. A variety of models are available for rent - from small-sized to minibuses.
To rent a car, you need a category "B" license, driving experience must be at least a year, and the minimum age of the driver can range from 21 to 25 years.
Kitchen
Greek cuisine is an example of a typical Mediterranean or Balkan cuisine. But in many ways the cuisine of the Greeks is different from the cuisines of its closest neighbors - Bulgaria, Albania and Italy. First of all, spices. Greeks add them to their food more often than others in Europe. However, Greek cuisine is not spicy.
Another distinctive feature of Greek cuisine is the abundance of olive oil. It is added to almost all dishes and is used not only as an aromatic seasoning, but also during heat treatment food. Another essential ingredient is lemon.
The special pride of the Greeks is cheese. In Greece, it is produced at least 50 varieties (each region has its own special recipe). The Greeks consume the most cheese in the world - more than 25 kg per person per year. The most popular variety is called "Feta": it is he who is used in the preparation of the famous "Greek salad". In Greece, this salad is called "horiatiki" (rustic).
No less popular in Greece is meat. Preference is given to pork, lamb and goat meat. Moussaka is one of the most famous dishes prepared with the addition of both meat and traditional Greek vegetables. Pastizio is another favorite dish of the Greeks. Fish, shellfish and other seafood are popular.
The shops
Shop opening hours:
Monday 9:00 (summer 8:30) - 14:00 or 15:00
Tuesday 9:00 (summer 8:30) - 14:00 or 15:00; 17:00 - 20:00 (summer 21:00)
Wednesday 9:00 (summer 8:30) - 14:00 or 15:00
Thursday 9:00 (summer 8:30) - 14:00 or 15:00; 17:00 - 20:00 (summer 21:00)
Friday 9:00 (summer 8:30) - 14:00 or 15:00; 17:00 - 20:00 (summer 21:00)
Saturday 9:00 (summer 8:30) - 15:00
Sunday is a day off
Before Christmas and Easter, all shops are open until the evening.
Supermarkets are open daily from 8:00 to 20:00. It should be borne in mind that goods in supermarkets located in tourist areas are more expensive than in ordinary stores.
There are streets in Athens where all the shops sell one particular product.
Tips
In restaurants and cafes in Greece, it is customary to give a tip (about 10% of the order amount), they can be left on a plate on which the bill was brought. Sometimes tips are included in the bill.
Tipping can be given to a taxi driver or a hotel worker who helps carry luggage to your room (about 1 euro).
Beaches
Most beaches in Greece are municipal. Therefore, the use of sun loungers and umbrellas on them is paid. The cost is about 4 EUR per day. The vast majority of beaches are sandy.
sights
The main center of tourism in the country is its capital - Athens, one of the oldest cities in the world.
The National Archaeological Museum is undoubtedly the most important museum in Athens, its collections contain the brightest works of art, created in different periods of ancient Greek civilization.
There are 250 museums, galleries and more modern temple complexes in Athens.
Other attractions
Acropolis - in the ancient Greek city-states, the acropolis was called the elevated and fortified part.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum - The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is considered one of the most important museums in Europe.
Delphi - Delphi, one of the oldest cities in Greece, located on the slope of Mount Parnassus, was famous in the ancient world for its temple of Apollo and the famous Delphic oracle.
Cyclades - a group of almost 2 thousand large and small islands, forming a ring ("kyklos") around the ancient sacred island of Delos with its sanctuaries of Apollo.
Meteora is a unique medieval monastery complex. About a thousand huge rocks rise perpendicularly above the city of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki.
Museum of Greek Folk Instruments - This museum houses a collection of 1200 Greek folk instruments from the 18th century to the present, they have been collected over half a century by the musicologist Fivos Anogyanakis.
Interesting Facts
The national anthem of Greece - "Hymn to Liberty" by Dionysios Solomos, has 158 quatrains. Of these, the first 18 are adopted by the National Anthem, but, as a rule, the first 4 quatrains are sung.
Souvenirs
best buy in Greece it will undoubtedly be a fur or leather product. Moreover, leather clothes are twice cheaper in Greece than in Turkey. Especially good prices in Kastoria. But! Keep in mind, if an "escort" is attached to you, in any store, then you will pay a much larger amount for the product.
Orthodox icons made in the Byzantine style are also interesting.
Of course, as in almost any country in the world, you will find original ceramics, leather goods and colored glass.
From Greece you can bring unique, natural washcloths that are not sold anywhere else in the world. There are especially many of them on the island of Kalymnos.
A great souvenir from Greece - olive oil, with and without seasonings. No wonder Greece is considered his homeland.
Huge selection of souvenirs and products made from shells.
An interesting souvenir from Greece is ouzo - aniseed vodka, which is sold in bottles and vessels made in antique style.
Of course, Greek cognac *Metaxa*, especially Prive Reserve, is a kind that is very rarely found on sale in other countries.
In Greece, you can buy very fragrant dried herbs, goat cheese, peanuts (considered the best in the world), olives, dried fruits, honey.
Many people like wine from the island of Santorini (the island itself is of volcanic origin).
brief information
Greece is of interest to almost any person. Someone is interested in the history of Ancient Hellas, someone aspires to this country, considering it the cradle of Orthodoxy, and some tourists, and they seem to be the majority, just want to relax in the beautiful Greek beach resorts. More than 15 million tourists visit Greece annually from different countries peace.
In the 5th century BC, Greece was the center of the ecumene, the undisputed leader in art, architecture, science, mathematics, philosophy, theater and literature. Now Greece is famous for its amazing landscape, natural beauty, numerous historical monuments, as well as beautiful beach resorts.
Geography of Greece
Greece is located in southeastern Europe. In the east and northeast, Greece borders on Turkey, in the north - on Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania, in the south it is washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the west - the Ionian, and in the east - the Aegean Sea.
The total area of Greece is almost 132 thousand square kilometers, including islands (about 20% of the territory of Greece are islands), and the total length of the state border is 1,228 km.
A significant part of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains. Moreover, the highest of them is the famous Mount Olympus in Thessaly (2,917 m).
There are about 3,053 islands in Greece. The largest Greek islands are Crete in the Mediterranean and Euboea in the Aegean.
Capital
The capital of Greece is the ancient city of Athens, which is now home to more than 5 million people. This city was founded about 3,500 years ago.
Official language of Greece
The official language of Greece is Greek, which is a branch of the Indo-European languages. The first archaeological evidence for the existence of the Greek language dates back to the 15th century BC.
Religion
About 97% of the Greek population consider themselves Orthodox Christians belonging to the Greek Catholic Church. According to a Eurostat poll, 81% of Greeks believe that "God exists".
State structure
Greece is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state is the President (he is elected by the Parliament). The current Greek Constitution was adopted relatively long ago, in 1975.
Legislative power in this country belongs to the unicameral Parliament (300 deputies).
The main political parties are the liberal New Democracy, the left Panhellenic social movement”, “Coalition of the Radical Left”, “Popular Orthodox Appeal”, and “Communist Party of Greece”.
Climate and weather
In the coastal regions of Greece (Athens, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, Peloponnese and part of Central Hellas), the Mediterranean climate prevails (winter is mild and humid, and summer is dry and hot).
In the mountainous regions of northwestern Greece (some parts of Epirus, Central Greece, Thessaly and Western Macedonia), as well as in the mountainous part of the Peloponnese, including Achaia, Arcadia and Laconia, the climate is alpine with heavy snowfalls.
In the interior of central Greece, in Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the climate is temperate.
In July, the average air temperature in Athens is +28.7C, on the island of Corfu - +27.8C, and on the island of Rhodes - 26.8C.
Sea in Greece
Greece is washed by the waters of the Ionian (in the west), the Mediterranean (in the south) and the Aegean (in the east) seas. General coastline is about 17,000 km. About 85% of the population of all of Greece lives in coastal areas (up to 50 km from the coast).
Sea water in Greece amazes and surprises all tourists. Its deep blue color is due, in part, to the reflection of the blue sky and the fact that it does not contain a large amount of solid matter (for example, plankton, dirt and dust).
There are about 450 species of fish and 12 species of cetaceans in the Greek seas.
There are about 3,053 islands in Greece. The largest of these are Crete in the Ionian Sea, Euboea in the Aegean Sea, and Corfu in the Ionian Sea.
Average sea temperature in Greece:
January - +15С
- February - +14С
- March - +14C
- April - +15С
- May - +18С
- June - +22C
- July - +24C
- August - +25C
- September - +23С
- October - +21С
- November - +19С
- December - +16C
The average water temperature near Crete in May is +19C, in August - +25C, and in October - +23C.
Rivers and lakes of Greece
Despite the fact that a significant part of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains, this country also has many rivers. In ancient times, the Greeks believed that the rivers belonged to the world of the gods, and worshiped them as separate deities.
The largest rivers in Greece are Alyakmon (297 km), Aheloos (217 km), and Mesta (230 km).
Perhaps tourists will be interested in Greek lakes, among which we single out Trichonis, Volvi, and Vegoritis.
History of Greece
Greece marked the beginning of European civilization. The Greek city-states of Athens, Corinth, and Sparta joined forces only when threatened by Persian invasion.
In the 5th century BC. Athens was the political, economic, and, of course, the cultural center of the Mediterranean. Then Sparta, led by Alexander the Great, gained a dominant role over the Greek lands. At this time, the Greeks defeated the Persians and extended their influence over vast territories, up to India.
In 146 BC. Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire. In 395 AD, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Byzantium (officially called the Eastern Roman Empire) was formed, with Constantinople (modern Istanbul) as its capital.
In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was liquidated, and the territory of modern Greece fell under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. For the next 350 years, Greece was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
As a result of the liberation war of 1821-1829, Greece finally gained independence. In 1833, Otto of Bavaria became king of Greece. The monarchy in Greece (since 1863 the Danish royal family ruled the Greeks) lasted until 1973.
After World War II, Greece plunged into civil war until the right-wing monarchists won in 1954. From 1967 to 1974, Greece was ruled by the so-called. "black colonels".
In 1981, after years of consultation, Greece became a member of the EU.
Greek culture
Greek culture begins with the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations (this is an example of 2000 BC). After that, there was a period in the history of Greece, which historians call classical. At this time, Greek culture was formed, which began to influence neighboring peoples. In general, Greece is the birthplace of mankind, and one way or another, Greek culture has influenced a huge number of countries. The successors of Greek culture are Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire.
In the Middle Ages on the culture of Greece big influence provided by the Ottoman Empire. But this is understandable, because. For about 350 years, Greece was just one of the provinces of the Ottoman Empire.
It was in ancient Greece that science was born. Modern philosophy, mathematics and astronomy are based on the knowledge gained by the ancient Greeks.
The most famous ancient Greek philosophers are Aristotle, Plato, Diogenes, Crates of Athens, Diogenes and Socrates.
The most famous ancient Greek mathematicians are Archimedes, Pythagoras, Democritus and Euclid.
The Greeks are very superstitious, they believe not only in God, but also in supernatural powers. Until now, the Greeks take the myths of ancient Greece seriously. Moreover, in every region of Greece, in every village, on every island, there are their own superstitions and traditions.
The Greeks will never personally hand over a knife to a person who asks them to, but simply put it, for example, on the table. It is believed that if you give someone a knife, then this person will have to fight.
The most popular Greek folk (and very often religious) holidays are Epiphany, Gynecocracy, Tsiknopempti (Meat Thursday), Maundy Monday, Annunciation, Good Friday, Easter, Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day, Trinity, Polytechnic and Christmas.
If two Greeks say the same words at the same time, they will definitely touch some red object, otherwise, it is believed that they will fight and become enemies. Where this superstition came from - history is silent.
Greek Cuisine
We definitely advise tourists in Greece to visit local restaurants and enjoy Greek cuisine. The variety of dishes, as well as their taste, make Greek cuisine unique. Feature Greek cuisine - the use of olive oil in absolutely every dish.
Also, the Greeks usually use a lot of vegetables and spices when cooking. However, the spices are quite mild, and there is no need to be afraid of strong spiciness.
We all know "Greek salad" and moussaka. However, these dishes are only a prelude to real Greek cuisine. Each region of Greece, each island has its own dishes and methods of their preparation. Therefore, the taste of moussaka on the island of Corfu will not be the same as that of moussaka on the Dedecanes Islands.
We definitely advise tourists in Greece to try Fasolada bean soup, shrimp fried on butter, souvlaki (shish kebabs on wooden sticks), Greek-style fish fillet, flatbread with meat, potatoes and gyro tomato, vegetable frit with tzazyki sauce, and kakavia fish soup.
The ancient Greeks considered wine to be the drink of the gods, and in modern Greece this alcoholic drink is very popular. True, the ancient Greeks diluted wine with spring water, and modern Greeks for some reason forgot this, in general, very useful tradition.
The most famous Greek spirits are tsipouro (also called tsikudya or crayfish), 38-47% alcohol, ouzo (aniseed vodka, 40% alcohol), and Metaxa brandy.
Sights of Greece
Greece ranks 1st in the world in terms of the number of attractions (in second and third places are Italy and Bulgaria, respectively). Therefore, we will highlight, in our opinion, the ten best attractions in Greece, although in fact there are many more.
Top 10 best attractions in Greece:
Acropolis in Athens
Agora in Athens
Archaeological National Museum (Athens)
Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion
Mount Athos
Ruined city of Mystras in Sparta
Theater at Delphi (4th century BC)
Monasteries of Meteora in the mountains of Thessaly
The ancient city of Mycenae in the Peloponnese
Mount Lycabettus in Athens
Cities and resorts
The largest Greek cities are Athens, Piraeus, Patras, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion.
The coastline in Greece is 13,676 kilometers, which means that there are a huge number of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, which are surrounded by rocks with pine and palm trees.
The most popular beach resorts in Greece are Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Chania and Chalkidiki.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Greek shoes (in particular, handmade sandals);
- Gold jewelry;
- Folk talismans that "drive away the evil eye";
- Bouzouki (baglama) - a small stringed musical instrument;
- CDs with Greek folk music;
- Olives, olive oil;
- Greek cheese;
- Kitchen utensils;
- Alcoholic drinks - ouzo, tsipuro (tsikudya or raki) and Metaxa brandy.
Brief information about the country
Date of Independence
Official language
Greek
Form of government
Parliamentary republic
Territory
131,957 km² (95th in the world)
Population
10 772 967 people (75th in the world)
Timezone
EET (UTC+2, summer UTC+3)
The largest city
$294.339 billion
Internet domain
Telephone code
- one of the most amazing and unique in its beauty countries in Europe. Located in the south of the continent, on the Balkan Peninsula, it is small both in terms of territory - the area, together with the islands adjacent to the coast of Asia Minor, is 131,994 km², and in terms of population, which numbers 10.3 million people. However, in terms of historical, cultural, archaeological and linguistic heritage, not every large state can compare with Greece. The capital of Athens is the oldest and most beautiful city in the world, a metropolis with a population of 4 million, founded around the 7th millennium BC.
Video: Greece
Basic moments
Hellas - as the Greeks themselves call their homeland - is filled with various sights, a significant part of which dates back to ancient times. No wonder they say that in Greece, antiquities are found literally at every turn. Wherever you find yourself - in Athens or Delphi, in Thebes or Meteora, on the holy Mount Athos or in rock monasteries - everywhere you will get acquainted with interesting monuments, original folk traditions. Here, in the homeland of Homer and Pythagoras, Sophocles and Democritus, Aristotle, Euripides, Plato and other famous personalities of the past, you will get such vivid impressions that you will definitely want to come here again!
Recognized as the cradle of Western civilization and the place where the first democratic states in history appeared, Greece became the center of the birth of the very concept of "democracy". In Ancient Hellas, every adult citizen took an active part in the discussion of public affairs and could be elected to any administrative, military or judicial position. Traditions laid down in antiquity are preserved in Greek society today.
Greece is also a gentle sun, excellent beaches, a warm sea with crystal clear water and picturesque islands, the most popular of which are Corfu, Rhodes, and Crete. It is not for nothing that the country is called a paradise for tourism and recreation. The mild subtropical climate is in amazing harmony with the exquisite beauty of nature. It is unlikely that anywhere else you will see such pretty villages perched on the mountain slopes, or red-tiled houses immersed in dense greenery. And it does not matter at all for what purpose the traveler sets foot on this blessed land - to deeply study its historical heritage or just lazily lie on the beach. One thing is clear: in Greece, everyone will find something to their liking and will never regret the trip.
Greek cities
All cities in Greece
Sights of Greece
All sights of Greece
Geographic features
Greece, which is also called the country of the gods, the birthplace of philosophy and Olympic Games, has a very interesting and very advantageous geographical location. Perhaps no European state owns so many islands - there are more than two thousand of them here (although only 227 of them are inhabited). Some - for example, the famous Lesvos - are located directly off the coast of Turkey. The islands account for almost 20% of the country's territory, which is quite a lot.
Greece is washed by four seas: Mediterranean, Ionian, Libyan (southern coast of Crete) and Aegean. The latter can be called the “inland sea” of this country, the entire coast of which is picturesquely indented with bays. It is enough to look at the map to make sure that no other state on the continent has similar outlines.
Mainland Greece is conditionally divided into several regions - these are Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly and Attica, Phthiotis, Phokis and others related to Central Greece. Geographically, the Ionian Islands can be attributed to the central part of the country. The largest Greek island is Crete, the second largest is Euboea, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge across the Evrip Strait. The Peloponnese is the largest peninsula recognized as the center of the most ancient civilization in Europe. Here is the famous Corinth Canal, dug by a French company in the 19th century.
An interesting fact: the farthest distance from the sea coast, no matter where in Greece you go, does not exceed 100 kilometers.
natural landscape
Greek nature is distinguished by an enviable diversity, which was made possible by the confluence of factors such as geographical location, local climate, the presence of large mountain ranges, and a long coastline.
Mountains occupy about 60% of the landscape of Greece, which makes it one of the highest mountainous countries in Europe after Norway and Albania. Moreover, unlike the named states, the mountain ranges of Hellas almost all descend to the sea. The highest mountain peak is Olympus (2915 meters), it is also the most famous according to ancient Greek myths as the abode of the gods, in particular, the Thunderer Zeus. Of the other large and beautiful mountains of Greece, one can name such as Ida (Psiloritis) and the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in Crete, Grammos and Smolikas in Macedonia, Taigetos in the Peloponnese, Pindos and Atamanika Ori in the Epirus region.
The water resources of Greece are represented by a combination of natural and artificial lakes, deltas and estuaries, waterfalls and lagoons. The largest body of water in the country is Lake Trihonida, located in the region of Aetolia, in Western Greece. You can not ignore Lake Vouliagmeni in Attica (it is famous for its thermal mineral waters), the artificial lake Tauropos in Thessaly, which is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and, of course, the highest mountain lake - Drakolimni, located on the slopes of Timfi and Zmolikas at an altitude of 2050 meters. Of the rivers, the longest is Aliakmonas (297 km), which is inferior in length to Aheoloom, Pinios, Nestos, Efros, Strymonas, Alfios, Arahfos.
The originality of the natural landscape of Greece is given by local caves, many of which have internal lakes, "thickets" of stalactites and stalagmites, which attract not only ordinary tourists, but also professional speleologists. It will be interesting in the caves and historians, ethnographers and culturologists, because they are inextricably linked with the plots of ancient Greek myths. And the caves themselves are archaeological sites that can reveal many secrets of the Paleolithic era. Not everyone knows, but the famous artifact - the skull of an ancient man, considered a transitional form from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens - was discovered in one of these caves in Greece. It is called Petralona and is located on the Chalkidiki peninsula.
Gorges or canyons, with which the local landscape is literally dotted, deserve special mention. They cannot but impress with their menacingly towering sheer cliffs, water streams and different types birds and animals that for many centuries prefer to settle here. The most famous Greek gorge - Samaria - is located on the island of Crete. It can be easily crossed, and many travelers take advantage of this opportunity. The breathtaking beauty of the Vikos Gorge in the national park in the mountains of Pindus (Pindos) in the northeast of Epirus. It is located on the southern slope of Mount Tumfi, reaching a length of 20 kilometers.
And finally, two water parks in Greece. The first - it is called Alonissos and is located on the islands of the Northern Sporades in the Aegean Sea - was declared a protected area by the authorities in 1992. The endangered species of Mediterranean seals, Monachus Monachus, lives here. The second is a national marine park on Zakynthos, one of the Ionian Islands, which received the status of a protected area seven years later. It is here that such a type of turtle as Caretta Caretta is mainly bred.
Cities and islands of Greece
Between historical Attica and the Peloponnese, the Saronic Islands are secluded - an archipelago, the rest on which is usually chosen by those tourists who would not like to swim in the sea far from Athens. Only here, at the peak of the season, the local beaches are crowded, especially on the island of Aegina, which may not be to everyone's liking. But there is a great coast here, not to mention the fact that getting a bronze tan can be combined with visiting attractions, such as the Temple of Aphaia, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.
The Peloponnese itself, against the background of the rest of Greece, looks as if apart. In the sense that his landscapes are most often deserted, which, however, is compensated by the presence of priceless historical monuments. This is the citadel of Agamemnon Mycenae, and the theater in Epidaurus, and the House of Helen and Menelaus in Sparta, and the palace of Nestor in Pylos, and the same Corinth, from where one of the writers of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul turned with messages to the Corinthians. Acquaintance with the sights can be perfectly combined with relaxing on local beaches, which are considered perhaps the best in all of Southern Europe.
If you have not forgotten from your school history lessons where the birthplace of Apollo and his sister Artemis is, then you guessed that our story will be about the islands of the Cyclades. From them, spread out in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, some kind of serenity and tranquility emanates. But the Cyclades archipelago is associated, first of all, with the island of Mykonos, whose coastline reaches 89 km. Its hallmarks are ancient narrow streets and a very modern boutique hotel - the most expensive in Greece. An important transport hub in the archipelago is Paros, famous for its beaches and ample opportunities for water sports.
There are places in sunny Greece where the “Turkish coast” is within easy reach - these are the Dodecanese Islands, which are part of the Southern Sporades archipelago and stretch along the western coast of the Asia Minor peninsula, almost closely adjoining the territory of a neighboring state. The islands of Rhodes and Kos are the most famous of them. Popularity came to them thanks to first-class beaches and hotels and, of course, rich excursion programs - especially in the historical part of the city of Rhodes, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Groups of tourists, among whom there are many representatives of Christian denominations, tend to visit the legendary island of Patmos, which is called the "Jerusalem of the Aegean", and this interest is quite understandable. It is here that the cave is located, where John the Theologian wrote down the divine "Revelation", which became the last book of the biblical New Testament. And this place itself is also called the "cave of the Apocalypse."
One of the most picturesque in Greece is, of course, the Ionian Islands. The lush greenery, harmoniously combined with the azure shades of the sea surface, creates the impression of a real Garden of Eden, and at some point it may seem that the Lord has forgiven the sins of mankind and returned them to their original conditions of existence, as in the biblical Eden. The real pearl of the archipelago is the island of Corfu - it is the most popular among tourists and, accordingly, the most expensive in terms of staying and living in Greece. The island of Ithaca is also well known - according to Homer's stories about Odysseus, which we were introduced to in history lessons. The island of Kefalonia also leaves vivid impressions: pretty villages, cliffs at the very edge of the sea and excellent beaches are impossible to forget. As well as excellent local wines.
Now let's move to - the second largest city in the country, which rightfully received the nickname "Greek Constantinople." It is the religious center of Greece, whose population is predominantly Orthodox. Here is the peninsula of Athos and the Holy Mountain with the same name. It is called the "Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain" in the system of administrative division. Nothing has changed here over the centuries: women are still forbidden to set foot on Mount Athos.
The Northern Aegean Islands are a kind of "mix" in which the influence of both Western and Eastern cultures is mixed. If you don’t know that this is Greece, it seems that you are in Turkey, which, in general, is not far away, and it owns two islands of the archipelago - Bozcaada and Gokceada (Greek names, respectively, Tenedos and Imvros). The most unusual of the islands is Samos, all covered with trees and famous for its vineyards. Isolated beaches attract tourists on the island of Chios, also famous for its ancient monastery of Nea Moni.
Climate and weather
The climate of Greece, speaking in general, is mild, and this is a huge "merit" of the Mediterranean Sea, which seems to take care and protect this small country. Summer here is hot and dry: the average monthly temperature in July varies between +30…+32 degrees Celsius, humidity reaches 55%. The beach season in Hellas begins in mid-May and continues until November. Winter in the country is by no means severe. The temperature in January averages 10 degrees with a plus sign, and the humidity is 75%.
Meanwhile, in Greece there are several climatic zones. In the mainland of the country, the weather conditions are reminiscent of the Balkans, which are characterized by cold winters and hot, humid summers. Attica, Crete, Dodecanese, Cyclades, the center and east of the Peloponnese are typically Mediterranean regions in terms of climate. Warm weather persists in Crete for a long time: on the southern coast of the largest Greek island, you can swim and sunbathe from April to November.
There is also a rainy season in Greece, starting in most areas in mid-October and lasting until February. In July and August, the entire east coast of the mainland, including the capital, and the islands of the Aegean Sea are under the power of a strong north wind. On the one hand, it brings coolness diluting the heat, on the other hand, it makes ferries late and inconveniences vacationers, “stealing” their beach umbrellas. As for the actual summer heat, it still influenced the habits of the Greeks, shifting the afternoon rest of the Hellenes to 15:00-18:00. During these hours, it is not customary to disturb anyone, not to mention making appointments.
History of Greece
The first settlements in Greece, as evidenced by archaeological excavations, arose during the Paleolithic period, which corresponds to 11000-3000 BC. It is Hellas that is the birthplace of the Minoan, Mycenaean and Cycladic civilizations that existed in 2600-1100 BC. The classical period in the history of Greece is the so-called "Golden Age", which covered the VI-IV centuries BC. e. It is notable for the fact that it gave the world a galaxy of the greatest scientists and outstanding artists - historians and philosophers, doctors and architects, architects and sculptors, poets, mathematicians and playwrights. The active development of Greek civilization occurred after the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. The colonial expansion of Ancient Greece began, city-states appeared - in particular, on the Black Sea coast.
Ancient Hellas experienced several interventions - first by the armies of neighboring Persia, which invaded several times in a row, and then, in 146 BC, by Roman legionnaires. But the Romans not only did not persecute Greek culture, but also became its conscious successors. This can be judged by the monuments of the Roman era, the prototypes for which were similar Hellenic works of architecture. Moreover, Roman artifacts have survived to this day in the best possible way, and we, contemporaries, can judge by them the great heritage of the ancient Greeks. And after the division of the vast Roman Empire into the western and eastern parts, the latter, that is, Byzantium with its capital in Constantinople, became the bearer of the Greek language and culture and lasted eleven centuries, until May 29, 1453, it fell under the onslaught of the Turks.
Greece itself was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. The national liberation struggle of the Greek people ended in 1821 with the proclamation of an independent Greek state, which became a monarchy a decade later. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Greece made great efforts to return its ancestral lands, which were still under the occupation of the Ottoman Porte. Participation in the Balkan wars of that time and the First World War helped to partially realize these tasks.
The country also participated in World War II. First, fascist Italy attacked her, but the Greeks were able to give a fitting rebuff. When the Germans and their allies intervened, Greece fell and was under their occupation from 1941 to 1945. However, the victory over the Third Reich did not bring the long-awaited peace: a civil war broke out in the country, which ended only in 1949.
This was followed by a period of calm development in Greece, interrupted by a coup d'état in 1967, as a result of which King Constantine II was overthrown and a military dictatorship was established in the country. This period went down in history as the regime of "black colonels" led by Georgios Papadopoulos (1967-1973) and Dimitrios Ioannidis (1973-1974). The military junta made many mistakes, including strategic ones, in the international arena. This provoked the Turkish army's invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the occupation of part of its territory with the formation of the unrecognized "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". Failures in the so-called "Cyprus issue" led to the fact that in 1974 the dictatorship of the "black colonels" was overthrown.
On December 8, 1974, a nationwide referendum was held in Greece, as a result of which a democratic political regime with a parliamentary form of government was again established in the country. On June 11, 1975, a new Constitution was adopted, which is still in force today. In 1986 and 2001, some changes were made to it, which, however, did not affect the democratic foundations of the state. Greece has been a member of NATO since 1952. True, in 1973 she left the organization, and returned to it only in 1981. In the same year, Greece joined the European Union, and on January 1, 2002, the euro zone.
Sights of Greece
Greece is a country of ancient monuments, Orthodox shrines and very open, sincere and incredibly charming people. Having been here at least once, you will forever fall in love with its architecture, unique nature, original culture and, of course, national cuisine, to which we will return.
Let's start a general acquaintance with some of the sights of the country from the capital of Ancient Hellas. In Athens, which carefully preserves its historical, cultural and architectural heritage, you should definitely visit the famous Acropolis, whose temples have been partially restored. The temple of one of the three Olympian gods, Poseidon, located right on the coast of the Aegean Sea, the ancient quarter of Plaka, the city squares that live their own special, rich life, the impressive stone theater - the Odeon of Herodotus Atticus and numerous Athenian museums are of constant interest to travelers.
Separately, I would like to mention the breathtaking Panathinaikos Stadium. It was created according to fragments of the ancient predecessor, using only white marble in construction. And in Athens with your own eyes you can see the ancient temples of Zeus, Agora and Hephaestus, mentioned in the myths and legends of ancient Greece.
Quite a few ancient artifacts are concentrated in Crete, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Here you can see the archaeological sites of the Minoan era, the Venetian-style castle in Rethymnon, luxurious, enjoy the views of the largest natural palm forest on the continent on Vai beach. The ancient temple of Apollo, preserved in the small town of Gortyna, will take you back to the Dorian era, and in Phaistos, you should definitely see one of the most outlandish architectural structures - the palace of King Minos.
The most famous Greek islands include Rhodes, which has the glory of the largest center of knightly culture and a wonderful resort. Its calling card is the Castle of the Knights, built in the 14th century and restored in the first half of the last century. It houses a large collection of antiques, not to mention the accurately recreated atmosphere of the home. knightly order giving a unique sense of realism.
One of the most iconic sights, Mount Olympus, will allow you to feel like a contemporary of the legendary deities of ancient Greece. Once upon a time, judging by the myths, the Thunderer Zeus, the god of the seas Poseidon and the ruler of the kingdom of the dead Hades lived here. Now this "house of the gods" has been turned into a unique biosphere reserve, rich in various plant and animal species, and offering stunning views of the surroundings. Olympus though high mountain but quite accessible for walking. Traveling along numerous trails, you will not even notice how time flies.
Another famous mountain is, of course, Athos, included in the list of world cultural heritage UNESCO. This unique place, revered by all Orthodox believers, is inhabited and can only be visited by men. It is dedicated to prayers, reflections and initiation to spirituality. The Holy Mountain is de facto autonomous, but under the sovereignty of the Greek state. To get here, you need to get a special permit, and only 110 people (100 of them must be Orthodox believers) can visit it - if they wish, of course - every day. Such bureaucracy can turn many away from the intention to visit Mount Athos, but if such inconveniences do not frighten you, then an excursion here with a visit to two dozen local monasteries will become an unforgettable episode in your life.
National cuisine
In the national cuisine of Greece, the culinary traditions of the Balkan peoples, the Apennines, France and even the Middle East coexist perfectly. In general, this is typical Mediterranean Kitchen with an "admixture" of love, with which each dish is prepared, and the original Greek temperament. For the Greeks, as, for example, for the Japanese, eating is a whole ritual. At the table, they not only eat, but communicate and relax. A shared meal is a great way to build friendships between strangers and even business relationships. Whatever the Greeks discuss at dinner, but most of all, in addition to purely family topics, they like to talk about football and politics.
Many have already guessed that fish and seafood occupy a regal position in the local menu. The Greeks cook squid very tasty: they roll them in flour, and then fry them in olive oil. Be sure to try the cooked tomato sauce freshly caught mussels and exotics such as octopus meat - it is baked on coals with the addition of herbs. The taste and aroma of the dish is such that words cannot describe - it's better to try it!
What are the most popular dishes in modern Greece? Let's name some of them: squids stuffed with cheese and baked on coals (“kalamaria yemista me tiri”), steamed mussels (“midya akhnista”), grilled shrimp (“garides sharas”). One of signature dishes national cuisine are spaghetti with lobster ("macoranada me astako"). From the traditional and familiar to Russian fish dishes in local taverns, you can taste fish in all its culinary "manifestations" - fried and stewed, stuffed and pickled, dried, smoked and simply salted - to delicious local beer!
Meat lovers in Greece are offered a rich selection of pork, beef, poultry, and lamb dishes. Grilled “brizoles” and “paidakya”, respectively, meat with bone and lamb ribs, always turn out very tasty and juicy. There are two types of local kebabs: from small pieces of meat (“suvlaki”) and large ones (“kondosuvli”).
It is also worth trying “kokoretsi” - this is the name of a dish that is somewhat reminiscent of our homemade sausage: the intestines are filled with lamb offal and baked on a grill. True gourmets cannot fail to like rooster stewed in white wine (“kokoras krasatos”) and stewed rabbit (“kuneli”). And perhaps the most famous Greek meat dish is moussaka - minced meat, potatoes and eggplants laid in layers and baked with bechamel sauce.
Greek cuisine is impossible to imagine without cheese and one of its most famous varieties - "feta". It is made only from sheep's milk and stored in wooden barrels. Popular in the country and, accordingly, among tourists are such varieties of cheese as "kefalotiri" (hard, made from goat milk), "tulumotiri" (the oldest of all local varieties) and the exquisite "manuri" (white, with a very piquant taste).
In conclusion, let's mention the famous "Greek salad", in their homeland simply called "village", which Russian housewives also like to cook. "Original" differs in taste from that served in our cafes and restaurants or cooked at home. What exactly is the difference is also difficult to convey in words: you need to feel it by trying both options. And what is needed for this? That's right: come to rest in Greece!
Language
Modern Greek (Dimotica), derived from the vernacular used in the Late Antique period, did not become the country's official language until 1976. Before that, this was kafarevusa (“purified language”). Fortunately for tourists, many Greeks speak at least one foreign language: most often English, but also German, French or Italian.
Still, a few words in Greek will be appreciated. If you have some time, try learning a couple of basic phrases and the alphabet. Although signs and signs are often presented in Latin transcription, this is not always the case; in addition, knowledge of the alphabet will allow you to navigate in banks, restaurants and other establishments.
Holidays in Greece
- January 1 - New Year.
- January 6 - Epiphany.
- March 25 - Independence Day.
- May 1 - Labor Day.
- August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin.
- October 28 is Ohi Day, commemorating the Greek resistance to the Italian occupation of 1940.
- December 25 - Christmas.
- December 26 - Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin.
Holidays that do not have an exact date are the First Day of Great Lent (Clean Monday), Holy Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Spirits Day.
Money
The national currency of Greece is the euro, divided into 100 euro cents. Basically, all payments are made in cash, which naturally leads to an increase in the shadow economy. An increasing number of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas, however, accept credit cards, but some of them charge an additional 3% to 5%, sometimes without even notifying you. If you have Visa or MasterCard cards, then you can easily withdraw money from an ATM. Traveler's checks can be cashed at a bank or hotel, just don't forget your passport.
Opening hours
Despite some general trends, such as a long break in work during the siesta, the opening hours of organizations in Greece are quite fluid. Shops are usually open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from about 8.30-10.00 to 15.00, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until 14.00 and then from 17.00 to 20.00-21.00. This rule does not affect local shops, especially grocery stores, which sometimes work even on Sunday.
Museums and archaeological sites that can be visited are closed on Monday, sometimes on Wednesday, and the smallest - the entire period from November to March. Opening hours - from 8.00-8.30 to 15.00 out of season, and until 17.00 and even 19.00 in July and August. Remember that the last visitors are allowed in half an hour before closing.
Banks, as a rule, work from 8.00-8.30 to 14.00 from Monday to Thursday and until 13.30 on Friday; some make exchange transactions on Saturday.
Shopping in Greece
People go to sunny Greece not only for a beach holiday on the islands or exploring the world-famous sights of ancient times, but also for shopping. For those of you who don't know yet, Greece, along with Italy, is one of the best shopping destinations in Europe. Despite the difference in exchange rates, find here, for example, a relatively inexpensive fur coat or beautiful vase, which will decorate the interior of your home, will not be difficult.
A long-tried way to save money is, of course, to shop during the sales season. Winter sales in Greece begin in mid-January and continue through February, while summer sales cover the second half of July and all of August. Moreover, in many stores they do not start to reduce the price from a small amount - say, from 20-30%, but immediately indicate on the price tags: an 80% discount, therefore queues are not uncommon in such outlets. Be prepared to lose some time waiting, but leave with a good purchase.
Discounts apply not only to clothes and shoes, but also to household appliances, modern electronics, decor items and even good, solid furniture. True, for such goods the discount does not exceed 40% of the cost, but this is not bad either. In outlets and stocks, which should not be forgotten either, eye-pleasing price tags are present all year round. In large shopping centers, off-season sales are common, discounts can reach 50%.
But back to buying fur coats. Especially for this, shopping tours are organized in Greece, which come with and without obligations. If you choose the former (i.e., a tour with obligations), then the flight to the country and hotel accommodation, usually not exceeding 3-4 days, are paid by the fur factory. For convenience of choice, it is recommended to get acquainted with the assortment of different manufacturers in advance, and save photos of the models you like. Otherwise, if you start trying on all the models in a row, you will not only waste time and get tired, but you may end up buying not what you wanted and you will regret it.
The birthplace of Greek fur products is traditionally considered to be Kastoria, a city in the north-west of the country, in western Macedonia. There are a lot of fur factories here, the most famous among which are Ego Group, Rizos Furs, Estel Furs, Avanti Furs. Do not look for prices on the official websites of these and other manufacturers - it is not customary to indicate them, which makes it possible to bargain on the spot. There are usually no language barriers, since almost all sellers speak Russian.
But not everyone goes to Greece for clothes or household items - many would like to buy local products. In this case, welcome to the Greek supermarkets: in Athens - Sklavenitis, in Crete - Ariadni, in Thessaloniki - Masoutis. Popular among tourists are also premium-class supermarkets AB Vasilopoulos, a chain of German supermarkets Lidi.
You can also shop well in markets and bazaars, which are very numerous in the country, including flea markets. You can buy the freshest and cheapest items from the food basket right here: olive oil, feta cheese, local wine. The main thing is to be in time before 15:00, because then the markets and bazaars are closed until the next day.
For tourists: citizens of the Russian Federation, since they are not residents of the European Union, can use the right to a VAT refund (Tax Free), but on condition that the purchase amount is not less than 120 € and it was made at a point of sale that participates in the system. To determine this, you just need to take a closer look: the designation "tax-free for tourists", which literally translates from English as "for tourists without tax", in this case is applied to the windows, the cashier or directly to the entrance to the store. On the mainland, the amount of value added tax refund will be 23%, on the island territories - 16%.
Public transport
It is convenient to travel around Greece by bus, and the trip will also be inexpensive. However, there are very, very few drivers who understand English, not to mention Russian. City public transport runs from 5:30 am until midnight, there are also special night flights. The most developed in terms of transport is, of course, the capital. Car communication in it, as well as in other cities, is chaotic, there may be problems with parking. The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h.
An alternative to buses is electric transport (trams and trolleybuses). Athens, as befits a metropolitan metropolis, has its own metro, the ticket is valid for 1.5 hours. There are no subways in other cities.
Greece also has a network of railways, only experienced tourists are not advised to travel on second-class trains, since they cannot boast of cleanliness and comfort, unlike first-class trains. But regardless of the category, the train has been and remains a popular option specifically for night trips: you fell asleep in one city, and woke up in the morning - you are already rested and fresh at your destination!
Since Greece is a partially island nation, not all parts of the country can be reached by bus or train. For sea travel, you will have to choose one of the types of water transport: ferry or speedboat. When parking your own or rented car on the ferry, you should be careful, as cars are usually located very close to each other.
Car driving
A driving license valid in Russia will be enough to rent a car in Greece. Prices in numerous local companies are quite reasonable, but check the condition of the car and the availability of insurance in case of an accident. The minimum age of the driver is 21 years old, sometimes 25 years old. Driving experience must be at least one year.
The major highways are very good for motorists, and in addition, thanks to EU funds, Greece's road network has been greatly improved in recent years. There are also dirt roads leading mainly to beaches and secluded monasteries. The speed limit is 50 km/h in the city (sometimes less), 80 km/h on highways, 120 km/h on motorways, although sometimes, looking at the way the Greeks drive, it's hard to believe... If you happen to drive at night, beware of unlit areas and herds of animals crossing the road. Driving in the city can be tricky, especially in Athens, due to the many traffic jams and one-way roads.
Communication and Internet
Mobile communications in Greece are very well developed, the network covers almost the entire territory of the country, except for some small remote islands. Especially good "catches" in the cities, and in Athens, even in the subway. If you are going to call Greek numbers, then it makes sense to buy a SIM card from one of the local mobile operators. If there is no such need, and you plan to call only home in the Russian Federation, then you can use the roaming service that all Russian operators provide to their subscribers.
The leaders of the Greek mobile communications market are companies such as Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone. The first is state and its main advantage in the eyes of competitors can be considered good level client service. Wind was once a monopoly in the local market and has long established itself as a high quality connection. Well, Vodafone, as a transnational operator, does not need any additional introduction. The quality of coverage is not inferior to competitors, but it has a little more "dead zones" where communication is not available.
Moral standards
Even though it is very hot in summer, if you are off the beach, please dress appropriately. To visit the monastery, women should wear a skirt or dress below the knee and a headscarf, men should wear trousers.
If you are offered a drink or invited to dinner, do not refuse, as this may offend the Greeks. Also remember that everything related to relations with Turkey is a rather sensitive issue, avoid joking on this topic.
controversial points
Check your bill at the restaurant: in the most touristy places, it can increase by one additional dish or drink ... Also pay attention to the prices in the windows: they are sometimes for take-out and can double if you eat on the spot. Finally, if you want to pay by credit card, make sure that the tip (3-5%) is not charged without your consent. As a rule, any misunderstanding can be easily resolved, you just have to stay alert and remember to call the tourist police, who specialize in settling this kind of problem.
Safety
Greece, with all the desire, cannot be attributed, like, for example, Iceland or Sweden, to the safest countries for tourists on the continent. Unfortunately, petty theft is common here, especially in crowded places: at hotels, at airports, train stations, near attractions. Pickpockets are also operating in public transport. Athens, as in any major city, has its own dangerous areas, these are Kolokotroni and Vathi squares and the red-light district in the vicinity of Omonia square.
Women should especially beware of ... obsessive suitors or "kamaks" (from the Greek "kamakis" - "harpooner"). These are, as a rule, good-looking men, radiating charm and temperament, who are very persistent in seeking the favor of single foreign tourists. Their ultimate goal is to "hook" for some time, and if you're lucky, then for the whole season, a rich companion. Lovely ladies are also not recommended to get into a car with strangers or walk at night, as there is a risk of becoming victims of rape.
The Greeks spend their hot southern temperament not only looking for love affairs, but also participating in all kinds of protests and strikes. And although the "righteous anger" of the demonstrators is usually not directed at people, it is better not to go outside during the rally. Police to disperse protesters usually use tear gas, which acts not only for its intended purpose, that is, on the eyes. It can cause serious complications in patients with bronchitis and asthma. And yet, even if law enforcement officers with their means of restraint are far from you, there is a risk of falling under someone's hot hand or getting injured in a stampede.
In addition to the human factor, natural factors also pose a certain danger. Both the mainland of Greece and its islands fall under the definition of seismically hazardous zones, which means a high probability of earthquakes. High-amplitude tremors, fortunately, do not happen so often, but small-scale vibrations of the earth's crust are a common occurrence. Don't forget about the risk posed by forest fires due to the hot climate. In these cases, call the fire department directly on 199 or the rescue service on 112.
Hotels and accommodation in Greece
Both on the mainland and on the islands, hotels for every taste and budget are at the service of tourists. In Greece, in addition to their traditional classification by the number of stars, an alphabetic system for designating the class of a hotel is also used. So, the letter L means that you are in a luxury hotel, which corresponds to five stars; C - three stars; and E corresponds to the level of 1-2 stars. But there is often a kind of “anomaly”: in hotels of class E, the level of service is higher than in hotels with the designation C.
Be prepared for the fact that you may run into a shortage of rooms, especially on the most popular Greek islands. Excitement is common here, especially on weekends and holidays, when locals join the foreigners on holiday. To avoid tourist "pandemonium", book apartments in advance. So, using the Booking.com service, you can find excellent accommodation options in Greece with up to 60% discounts.
The majority of local hotels are owned by local owners, but there are also major international chains in Greece, such as Best Western and Hilton. You can also rent an extra-class room at local chain hotels, such as the Luxury Collection of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Louis and Chandris. The cost of living in them is from 150-200 euros.
Many tourists prefer to stay in private hotels (boarding houses), which most fully convey the very spirit of the local way of life and hospitality inherent in the Greeks. In cities, you can rent a separate apartment for two or three people, in the suburbs - small houses, designed for four guests. Prices vary from 40-60 to 90-120 euros per night.
Hostels in Greece are not as popular as in other European countries, but you can stay in one of the five Athens youth hostels that are members of the International Hostel Association. There are similar ones in Thessaloniki, Paros, Corfu and Ios, and they are also included in the named association. An overnight stay in a hostel will cost you about 10 €, the cost depends on its location.
In the homeland of democracy, you can also stay in monasteries, only the rules for staying in them may not seem so democratic. For example, if you are looking for an overnight stay with a partner of the opposite sex, you will be rejected. In addition, you need to dress in accordance with generally accepted standards of decency, otherwise they will not be accepted either. And if you are already moved in, you will have to observe the “curfew”: returning to the monastery - for example, after an excursion - is not allowed later than the deadline.
), and charter.
At the peak of the tourist season, that is, in summer, flights to Greece are carried out, including from such Russian cities as Krasnodar, Kazan and Perm.
To stay in the country, Russians need a foreign passport with a Schengen visa stamped.
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Greece is a suitable country for a measured rest and enjoyment of life. Coming here solely for the sake of the sea or spending all the time on sightseeing is a crime. In Greece, you need to learn to enjoy life, enjoy music, food, sun and wine. From the Greeks, you can learn the ability to celebrate, cook and honor family values. Pleasant bliss will be diluted with interesting excursions to the islands, the study of legends or a tour of ancient buildings. In this beautiful country with a rich history, life has a taste, and a tired body is filled with strength again.
Geography
Greece occupies the south of the Balkan Peninsula and the adjacent islands. The country is spread among rocks and rocky, bare plateaus, green valleys, plains and beaches. In the west, there are limestone deposits in which several large caves and sinkholes have formed. In the east, the terrain is more gentle. In Greece, tectonic activity is quite high, strong earthquakes periodically occur.
Because of such a diverse relief, Greek nature is very rich. The coasts of the islands and the south of the mainland resemble Hawaii, and the mountains are similar to the Swiss Alps with small villages.
Climate
Greece has almost always warm and clear weather. There are over 300 sunny days a year. Temperate climate softened by the proximity of the sea. The hottest months are July and August, when the air warms up to +32°C. On the continent, the beginning of summer is more suitable for a beach holiday, and on the islands it is better to sunbathe in September and October. Spring and autumn should be devoted to exploring the sights. Winters here are mild, the average air temperature is +10°C.
sights
The main Greek sights are associated with the ancient period. For more than 8,000 years, the peoples who inhabited the country created great buildings and surrounded them with myths. Let's take a look at the most popular of them.
Mount Athos. A large religious complex of 20 monasteries. The place is located in the east of Chalkidiki and is completely cut off from the rest of the world. Walking here is conducive to peace, but only men are allowed to enter.
The Palace of Knossos is an ancient palace built under King Minos, with an intricate system of corridors and passages. It was here that the labyrinth of the minotaur was located, in which the young men and women who were sacrificed strayed.
The city of Lidos is one of the centers of ancient civilization. Walking among the snow-white buildings, you can feel the spirit of ancient thinkers.
The Acropolis is the most recognizable and popular landmark. The monumental building with 48 columns is striking in size. He sheltered the inhabitants during the raids of the barbarians. After several restorations, the building still resembles ruins.
Church of St. Panteleimon. An important religious building on about. Rhodes. Built in the 14th century, it is highly respected by the locals.
Palace of the Grand Masters. Located in the center of Rhodes, the castle resembles a fairy-tale fortress. Inside there is a museum with antique sculptures and household items.
Rhodes fortress from the 15th century. defended the coast of Greece from enemy attacks. Built on the very shore, it is decorated with many holes from shells, but still retains its grandeur.
In total, there are more than a thousand interesting places in Greece. Among them are historical architectural structures, temples, parks and museums.
Things to do?
Holidays in Greece cannot be boring. In addition to sightseeing, you can do active entertainment. For example, master the sirtaki dance. His simple steps to rhythmic music unite the guests of many celebrations.
In the warm season, you should definitely spend a few days on the beach. All coastal areas are municipal and have free access. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available at an additional cost. The beaches are mostly sandy. On the mainland they are noisier than on the islands.
Flocks of colorful fish and other living creatures scurry along the coast, which will definitely please divers. True, there are no corals here, but this is compensated by other beauties. There are several international diving schools in Crete and Corfu where you can get trained and certified. After that, you should go to the islands in the Aegean Sea (Lesbos, Samos, Crete) with the most interesting underwater relief and wildlife.
To take a break from the hot sun and the sea, you can go to the mountains. Two types of entertainment are available here at once:
- Skiing. On the slopes of any complexity there is a modern infrastructure, excellent snow cover and picturesque panoramas.
- Speleology. Numerous caves will allow you to test your endurance and get acquainted with historical sights. The most interesting are the Petralona Cave and the Blue Caves of Zakynthos.
Kitchen
Greek cuisine can be called a bright representative of the Mediterranean. The basic rules of cooking are to take fresh vegetables, add aromatic herbs, spices and flavor everything fresh. olive oil. A meal is not complete without delicious seafood, fragrant meat or fragrant cheese.
Greeks love hearty meat and fish dishes. Usually they are grilled, smeared with a mixture of mint, thyme, saffron, cloves, nutmeg. Vegetables and fruits are grown in natural conditions under the hot sun. Any dish must be complemented fresh vegetables and olives.
For dessert, baklava, galaktoboureko, or fresh fruit are usually served. Any meal is accompanied by several glasses of young fragrant wine.
Most of the dishes on the menu will seem unfamiliar, but the waiter will gladly give a detailed description.
Transport
The choice of the method of transportation depends on the financial possibilities and the intended route. The most convenient, but also the most expensive, is the plane. International airports are located in major cities and on 11 islands. Domestic flights are also operated. With them in just an hour you can be anywhere in the country.
Buses are less expensive and quite convenient. They will deliver passengers to any city and even to the island. The ferry crossing is included in the fare.
The larger islands can be reached by water. In summer, ferries run between the shores several times a day. It is harder to get to small islands, small boats sail only a few times a week.
In cities there are buses, trams, ground metro. To be more free to move around, you can rent a car. For this you need a credit card. It will also serve to pay for toll roads.
Financial questions
The monetary unit of Greece is the euro. It is better to take cash with you immediately. In many shops and restaurants you can pay with a plastic card. Often, when paying by card, the check amount increases by 3-5% commission. Cashing out is easy at one of the many ATMs. All financial issues at the bank branch should not be postponed, as employees work with clients from 8:00 to 14:00, and on Friday they close half an hour earlier.
How to get there
Greece has several international airports that receive direct flights from Russia. The most popular are the airports in Athens and Thessaloniki. During the season, direct charter flights to Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and other islands open. They can also be reached by one of the domestic flights with a transfer in Athens.
To visit Greece, you should take care of a visa in advance. Depending on the city, its registration will take from 3 to 10 business days.
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