About Greece

Greece may be the home of Zeus and his fellow Olympians, but at first glance its bustling, traffic-ridden capital, Athens, is anything but divine. Yet here, as all over Greece, are reminders of the country’s glory – from Athens’ Parthenon and Delphi’s Temple of Apollo, to the ruins on Crete of the Minoan city of Knossos, a civilisation reaching even further back into history.

Scattered throughout the calm blue waters of the Aegean are the islands, each with its own special story. Visit Zakynthos in the spring to see why it is ‘the island of flowers’, or the volcanic Santorini, where the blackness of the sand accentuates the brilliant whiteness of the villages. The serenity of islands like Skopelos contrasts with the hedonistic party islands such as Myknos and Paros where the worship of Dionysus the god of revelry continues to the beat of garage and house music.It is easy to forget that from this fertile land of mythology, olive groves and retsina, sprang political, philosophical and artistic ideas that shaped the whole course of western civilisation.

Greece today offers the traveller the comforts of modern Europe in close proximity to the stark beauty of the ancient world.

Area
131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles).

Population
11 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
83.4 per sq km.

Capital
Athens. Population: 750,000 (2004 estimate); Greater Athens 3.3 million (2004 estimate).

Geography of Greece

Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean. The mainland consists of the following regions: Central Greece, Peloponnese, Thessaly (east/central), Epirus (west), Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northwest). Euboea, the second-largest of the Greek islands, lying to the east of the central region, is also considered to be part of the mainland region.

The Peloponnese peninsula is separated from the northern mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. The northern mainland is dissected by high mountains (such as the Pindus) that extend southwards towards a landscape of fertile plains, pine-forested uplands and craggy, scrub-covered foothills.

The islands account for one-fifth of the land area of the country. The majority are thickly clustered in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands are the exception; they are scattered along the west coast in the Ionian Sea. The Aegean archipelago includes the Dodecanese, lying off the Turkish coast, of which Rhodes is the best known; the Northeast Aegean group, including Chios, Ikaria, Lemnos, Lesvos and Samos; the Sporades, off the central mainland; and the Cyclades, comprising 39 islands (of which only 24 are inhabited). Crete, the largest island, is not included in any formal grouping.

Greek Government

Republic. Head of State: President Karolos Papoulias since May 2005. Head of Government: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis since March 2004. Recent history: The Greek conservative New Democracy Party led by Costas Karamanlis took over the reins of government from the Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) in elections in early March 2004.

Pasok had been in Government for over 10 years. Since he came to power, Mr Karamanlis has faced industrial action due to high unemployment and rising inflation as well as government plans for pension and labour reforms. He is also under pressure from the European authorities to cut the budget deficit which is in excess of the level permitted under the euro zone stability pact.

Despite common membership of NATO, bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece have historically been among the worst between any two European countries. The principal causes are the continuing division of Cyprus (see Cyprus section) and control of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea.

Language

Greek (Ellenika). Most people connected with tourism and those of a younger generation will speak some English, French, German or Italian.

Religion

98 per cent Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Social Conventions

Visitors to Greece will find the Greeks to be well aware of a strong historical and cultural heritage. Traditions and customs differ throughout Greece, but overall a strong sense of unity prevails. The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong traditional influence on the Greek way of life, especially in more rural areas. The throwing back of the head is a negative gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings.