Greece Square. Capital of Greece. General information about the country. Greece. History and culture of the country

short 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 ancient city 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).

Main political parties- the liberal New Democracy, the leftist Panhellenic Social Movement, the Coalition of the Radical Left, the People's Orthodox Appeal, and the Communist Party of Greece.

Climate and weather

In the coastal regions of Greece (Athens, Cyclades, Dodecanese, island of 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. The total 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. Her deep Blue colour explained, in part, by the reflection 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 temperature seas in Greece:

January - +15C
- February - +14C
- March - +14С
- April - +15C
- May - +18C
- June - +22C
- July - +24C
- August - +25C
- September - +23C
- October - +21C
- November - +19C
- December - +16С

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 started 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 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. Successors Greek culture is Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire.

In the Middle Ages, the culture of Greece was greatly influenced by 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.

Tourists in Greece, we definitely advise you to try bean soup Fasolada, shrimp fried in butter, souvlaki (kebabs on wooden sticks), Greek-style fish fillet, flatbread with meat, potatoes and gyro tomato, vegetable fritta with tzazyki sauce, and fish soup"kakavia".

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 (anise 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.

Useful data for tourists about Greece, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Greece, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Greece.

Geography of Greece

Greece is a state in southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders with Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey. It is washed by the Aegean and Ionian seas. Greece consists of about 2 thousand islands, which account for almost 20% of the entire country.

Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the country's surface. The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus (2917 m).

Dominated mountain rivers, short, stormy, with picturesque rapids and waterfalls, often flowing to the sea in narrow canyons. The most long river Greece - Alyakmon (almost 300 km). In Greece, there are over 20 lakes with an area of ​​10-100 square kilometers.

State

State structure

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister.

Language

Official language: Greek

Also used: English, German, Italian, French.

Religion

Orthodox (97.6%), Muslims (1.3%), Catholics (0.4%) and others.

Currency

International name: EUR

History of Greece

The emergence of the first settlements in the Aegean basin dates back to the Neolithic era. Already from the III millennium BC on the island of Crete appear state organizations early feudal type. Later cultural centers arise in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coast of Thrace, the western coast of Asia Minor. Ancient Greece(Hellas) - the common name of the ancient Greek states. The centuries-old history tells about their formation, development, rapid prosperity, wars (Greco-Persian, Peloponnesian), victories and defeats. In the 2nd century BC, these states became a Roman province, in the 4th-15th centuries AD they were part of the state formed during the collapse of the Roman Empire - Byzantium. The capital of this state was Constantinople.

Since the 15th century, Greece has been under Turkish rule. During the Greek national liberation revolution (1821-1829), the independence of Greece was proclaimed, after the defeat of Turkey in the war with Russia, its autonomy was recognized by the Treaty of Andriapol. Since 1830 - Greece - an independent state.

Until 1973 Greece was constitutional monarchy, the official head of state was King Constantine II, who ascended the throne in 1964 after the death of Paul I. In April 1967, the junta of "black colonels" led by Georgios Popadopoulos carried out a coup d'état and established a military dictatorship. On June 1, 1973, the government's decision to overthrow Constantine II was announced, and Greece was proclaimed a presidential republic. After the fall of the reactionary regime in July 1974, a civilian government headed by Konstantinos Karamanlis came to power. Since the November 17, 1974 elections, Greece has been a parliamentary republic with a presidential form of government. The final liquidation of the monarchy was, therefore, not the result of the maneuvers of the dictatorial regime, but the expression of the will of the Greek people, one of the largest political events in the country in the post-war years.

The emergence of the first settlements in the Aegean basin dates back to the Neolithic era. From the 3rd millennium BC, state organizations of the early feudal type appeared on the island of Crete. Later, cultural centers appear in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coast of Thrace, the western coast of Asia Minor. Ancient Greece (Hellas) - the common name of the ancient Greek states. The centuries-old history tells about their formation, development, rapid prosperity, wars (Greco-Persian, Peloponnesian), victories and defeats. In the 2nd century BC, these states became a Roman province, in the 4th-15th centuries AD they were part of the state formed during the collapse of the Roman Empire - Byzantium. The capital of this state was Constantinople. ...

Popular Attractions

Greece Tourism

Where to stay

Today, Greece attracts tourists not only with its amazing beauty of nature, but also with a developed tourist infrastructure. The hotel infrastructure of Greece is represented by hotels from economy class to luxury, both on the mainland and on the islands. Many hotels are all-inclusive, although there is also a fine selection of half-board or breakfast-only hotels. It is worth noting that in Greece there is an “old” gradation system for hotels - a letter one. That is, the level of the hotel class is indicated by letters, that is, the gradation goes from L - luxury, an analogue of European five stars, and up to E - hotels that have not been assigned any category.

Most family-type hotels are located in Halkidiki, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu. Thanks to the rapid development of tourism infrastructure, over the past 10 years, many new hotels have been built in Greece, as well as old ones have been modernized. AT competition, hotel owners began to pay more and more attention to creating special conditions for holidays with children, which today allows us to state with confidence that Greece is perfect place for a family vacation. As a rule, such hotels are equipped with children's playgrounds, attractions, sports grounds, a childcare service is provided, and animators work.

For those who care about their health and want to combine relaxation with wellness, then in Greece you will find many hotels that have at their disposal well-equipped fitness rooms, GYM's, SPA, saunas, beauty salons and much more.

It is worth booking hotels in Greece in advance, especially during the season. The cost of living in the coastal zone in July-August can increase significantly.

Rest in the private sector continues to be very popular, namely the rental of villas, cottages or apartments in close proximity to the sea. This type of holiday is the best for big companies, families with children, as it allows you to save on the accommodation of a large number of people. Plus accommodation in a cottage - you feel like in your own home, minus - service (food, cleaning, laundry) is not included in the rent. The cost of living varies depending on the location of the property, as well as the season.

No less common are Greek boarding houses (paradosiakoi oikismoi). They can be found both in big cities and in the provinces. Boarding houses are either separate apartments with a shower, designed for 2-3 people, or small cottages with rooms for 4 people. The cost of living per person in such boarding houses depends on the capacity of one room and is comparable to the "upper D-class".

Greece has a large number of well-equipped campsites. It should be noted that parking outside of them is prohibited. As a rule, the cost of spending the night in a campsite is 5-7 euros per person (accommodation in a house), within 8 euros for a "caravan" and a little less for spending the night in a tent. However, many travelers note that the security situation in Greek campsites is a little worse than in European countries, and cases of theft of personal belongings have become repeated.

There are 10 youth hostels in Greece, which are members of the International Association. However, here you can also find a large number of hostels that are members of the Greek Youth Hostel Association. If you want to stay in such a hostel, you will need an IYHF card. In many cases, you can purchase it directly from the hostel, or you can pay a little extra on top of the rate. Towels and bed linen must be paid separately. Standard prices for accommodation range from 7-9 euros per day, however, they may vary depending on the location of the hostel.

For pilgrims, and just believing tourists, there is the possibility of living in monasteries. It is worth considering that while living in such a place, you will need to fully comply with the monastery’s routine, as well as the requirements for dress code. The option of gender placement is also very likely, that is, men can only stay in the men's monastery, women - respectively, in the women's one.

Greek cuisine is simple, wholesome, unpretentious and uses the very best ingredients: tempting olives, fruits and vegetables, freshly caught fish cooked in the finest local olive oil. The meat - usually lamb or pork - is stewed, baked or barbecued. Cheeses are very important: salted feta is used in salads, halloumi is often grilled, and amari, a mild, mild cheese like ricotta, is used in sweet and spicy dishes....

Tips

Tipping to waiters is usually 5-10% of the order amount, but this is exclusively good will client. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.

Visa

Office Hours

Churches and monasteries are open to the public, each according to its own own rules. Churches are open during services. As a rule, museums are open daily, except Mondays, from 8 am to 3 pm. In summer, some museums are open until 7 pm. The Acropolis is open on full moon summer evenings.

Stores are usually open on weekdays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00 and from 17:30 to 20:30. Supermarkets are open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm.

AT weekdays banks are usually open from 8.30 to 14.00 (on Friday until 13.30).

Purchases

In Greece, value added tax (VAT) ranges from 8% to 36%. VAT refund is possible for purchases in stores that have the inscription "tax-free". The store issues a special receipt to the buyer, which must be shown at customs when leaving Greece, along with the purchased item. Customs officers put a stamp on the receipt and send it to the store, which must transfer the amount of VAT to you within a month.

The medicine

Pharmacies are open all days except Sunday, and on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday they close at 13:00. In case of acute ailment, you should call an ambulance, and not look for the nearest hospital.

Safety

Beware of pickpockets and bag thieves. Be especially vigilant in the center of Athens, in public transport, in historical places of Greece popular among tourists.

Emergency Phones

Tourist Police - 171 (in Athens), 922-7777 (outside Athens)
Police - 100
Fire Department - 199
Ambulance - 166

National features of Greece. Traditions

Shaking the head from the bottom up, in Greek means "no", and from top to bottom - "yes". In Greek, the sound "ne" means "yes", and the denial sounds like "oh".

The Greek "tomorrow" ("avrio") means something indefinite or refusal.

It is not customary to take off your shoes in a Greek house.

Questions and opinions about Greece

Corfu Island - Q&A

Question answer

Crete - Q&A

Greece is a hospitable corner of the Mediterranean. Developed infrastructure, wonderful climate, incredibly beautiful nature, unique landscapes - a paradise life welcomes everyone with open arms. Greece allows you to feel the fresh breath of the azure sea, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of complete merging with nature in the mountains, swim in the rays of the bright southern sun and forget about the hustle and bustle of the daily routine. Greece cordially opens the doors of true pleasure, relaxation, freedom.

General information:

• State capital: Athens
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: euro (€ EUR)
• Time in Greece: GMT +2
• Climate: temperate Mediterranean
• Population: 10,871,762 (according to Eurostat 2017)
• State system: parliamentary-presidential republic
• Telephone code: international dialing code +30

Greece has two other names - Hellas or Ellas. The location of the state is the southeastern part of the European continent, the southern section of the Balkan Peninsula. The capital of one of the oldest states in the world is the glorious Athens, which has a long history. The number of inhabitants of the capital is about 5 million people. In addition, among major cities includes Thessaloniki (or Thessaloniki), Volos, Heraklion, Patras, Larissa.

Albania is located on the northwestern borders of Greece. The northern borders of the country are in contact with Bulgaria and the former Macedonia (or, as the Greeks call the republic, Skopia). The Greek northeast meets the Turkish borders. The shores of the state are washed by three seas.

The eastern Aegean, western Ionian, southern Mediterranean seas surround with warm waves the country where the ancient Olympic gods lived. It is the legendary peak of Mount Olympus that is the highest in Greece.

The length of the sea coast of the Hellenic Republic is 13,676 kilometers. According to this indicator, the state ranks 11th in the world ranking. Part of the island territories belonging to Greece are uninhabited, but there are more than 2.5 thousand of them. The largest islands: Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Chios, Rhodes, Corfu (the Greeks call it Kerkyra), Lesvos (Lesvos in Greek), Karpathos, Zakynthos, Thassos, Samos, Euboea (or Evia).
Greece became a member of the European Union in 1981 at the second enlargement. The state belongs to the Eurozone since 2001, and NATO has accepted it since 1952. Greece is also a country that participated in the creation of the United Nations (1945).

The historical development of Hellas has created a solid foundation for world culture. Philosophy, science and art were born here, democracy was formed, which spread to three continents and became the property of world history. The influence of Greece is invaluable, because the country is rightfully considered the cradle of European culture. The Olympic Games originated on the warm shores of Greece, the first theatrical steps of the world took place here: drama, tragedy and comedy appeared.

Peripheries (self-governing administrative units) and islands of Greece:

• Attica (Athens, East Attica, Piraeus (Pireos), West Attica)
• Central Greece (Euritania, Phokis, Phthiotis, Boeotia (Viotia))
• Central Macedonia (Halkidiki, Imathia, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Serres, Thessaloniki)
• Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Drama, Evros, Kavala, Rodopi, Xanthi)
• Epirus (Arta, Ioannina, Preveza, Thesprotia)
• Peloponnese (Arcadia, Argolis, Corinth, Laconia, Messinia, Achaia, Elijah)
• Thessaly (Karditsa, Larissa, Magnesia, Trikala)
• Western Greece (Achaea, Aetolia and Acarnania, Elis)
• Western Macedonia (Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, Kozani)
• Agion Oros - Holy Mount Athos - an autonomous region, a monastic state.

Islands of Greece:

• Northern Aegean Islands: Chios, Lesbos, Samos, Agios Evstratios, Thassos (belongs to the periphery of Eastern Maucedonia and Thrace), Ikaria, Limnos, Inouses, Samothrace, Psara;
• Sporades: Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros;
• Euboea (Evia);
• Saronic Islands: Agistri, Aegina, Methana, Poros, Salamina, Spetses, Hydra;
• South Aegean: Cyclades: a group of 56 islands, the main ones being: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea (Tzia), Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos , Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros, as well as the "Little Cyclades": Donusa, Heraklia, Koufonisia and Schinousa. Dodecanese: Astypalea, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Halki.
• about. Crete (Chania, Heraklion, Lassithi, Rethymno);
• Ionian Islands: Kerkyra (Corfu), Kefalonia, Lefkada, Zakynthos (Zakynthos), Ithaca, Paxi, Kitira (located opposite the Peloponnese, the largest islands of the Ionian Sea, also called Eptanisa). Antipaxi, Antikythera, Erycusa, Kalamos, Kastos, Matraki, Meganisi, Ofoni, Skorpios, Strofades are also Ionian Islands.

Greece Tourism

Greek tourism is one of the most important areas influencing the economy of the state. 20 million tourists in 2007 put Greece in the top ten tourist destinations in the world. Guests from all corners of the planet happily go to the Ionian Islands, which is the most popular destination. Tourists are cordially welcomed by Corfu, Zakynthos, Crete, the Pieria region, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Thassos, Samos, Chios, Euboea, the Athenian Riviera, the Chalkidiki peninsula, the Peloponnese, the Pieria region.

Thanks to the offices of Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, Poland, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Hungary and other countries, travel agents will help organize an unforgettable vacation on the warm coast of the ancient state. Representative offices of Mouzenidis Travel in Greece are located in large cities, tourist spots. This allows the company to quickly respond to the wishes of customers, providing the best services.

Currency

The single currency of the European Union is the Euro, which is why Greece also uses it. Banks that accept foreign currency provide information about the current exchange rate.

If you have a credit card, the tourist has the opportunity to pay with them in shops, cafes, restaurants, gas stations. ATMs of partner banks allow you to withdraw money throughout the country. Working hours of banking institutions in Greece: Monday-Thursday from 8:00 to 14:30, Friday - 8:00-13:30. The official day off of banks is public holidays.

A tourist can find exchange offices at Greek airports, several ports, major cities and some resorts. A prerequisite for the exchange is the presence of a passport, otherwise it is impossible to get euros in the country.

Leisure

Various options have been worked out for tourists from all over the world. exciting leisure. Historical sights, which you can get acquainted with during a fascinating excursion, will become a vivid memory of the Greek land. Travelers go to the homeland of Hercules to get acquainted with the world's iconic places. For shopping, tourists are invited to go to the Greek market, but there are also fashion houses, boutiques, shops, fur factories, where shopping lovers will spend time interestingly, with benefit, preserving the memory of the sunny country. The conditions are also created for those who love to take care of their appearance on vacation. SPA, healing springs, relaxation centers will allow you to relax not only morally, but also physically. Greece is not complete without traditional taverns by the sea or in the mountains. Festive programs, theaters, cinemas - it will not be difficult to fill every minute of your holiday with vivid impressions and emotions.

The nightlife of Greece deserves special attention of tourists. It is here, as nowhere else in Europe, that establishments work all night, and therefore even for those who like to relax after sunset there will be something to do.

Shopping in Greece

The opening of the beach season in the resorts of Greece is the beginning of the perfect time for shopping. With the onset of May, shops are open seven days a week until late. Non-tourist parts of the country are distinguished by a day off for shops on Sunday, but there are exceptions there too. The Greek siesta is a break from 14:30 to 17:00, you should be prepared for this turn of events, as small shops close at this time. Opening hours of supermarkets and chain stores: Monday-Friday 8:00-21:00, on Saturday they close an hour earlier.

Climate - weather

The Mediterranean climate of Greece is appreciated among tourists. Hot summer without rain, sparing winter period with frequent rainfall - the weather conditions here are perfect for relaxing, regardless of the season, it will be comfortable for any health condition.

The beginning of May is the period when sea water warms up enough to open bathing season resorts in Greece. The mildness of the country's climate allows you to engage in sea navigation until mid-autumn. In winter, for the territory of Greece, temperatures below 5 degrees are not typical, indicators below this mark are rather an exception. The average temperature is +12. Mountain peaks are covered with snow all year round, areas near the coast of the seas see it much less often.

Weather in Greece by months:

Employees of the Mouzenidis Travel company help to choose the right period for specific needs. It is enough for the client to indicate the wishes, and the operators will have to provide possible tours. Fast provision of services became possible due to the presence of the company's representative offices throughout Greece.

Religion in Greece

The official religion of Greece is Orthodox Christianity. 98% of the population belongs to this religion. The connection of the church with the state allows it to influence politics. Christian shrines in Greece are of great importance in the Orthodox world.

Meteora, recognized as the 8th wonder of the world, churches of the Byzantine period, monasteries, the monastic republic of Holy Athos, the temple of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky on the island of Corfu and the temple of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki receive parishioners from all over the world.

Kitchen

Gastronomic rest is one of the common options among tourists. The geography of Greece makes it possible to enrich the cuisine of the peninsula with fresh fish, vegetables, and fruits. Cultural influence is also reflected in the gastronomy of the state. Historically, Greek cuisine originated over 4,000 years ago. It is this Mediterranean state that is the birthplace of the first cookbook written by Archestratos (330 BC).
The high nutritional value of Greek cuisine is perfectly combined with their sophistication, refinement, delicious taste characteristics. Such a balance of Greek food has an amazing effect on external beauty, internal health, which is confirmed by numerous studies. The features of the Greek meal attract not only the satisfaction of appetite, but also the fact that they become a meeting place for the family, communication, and even partly entertainment for everyone at the table.

Olive oil, olives, feta cheese - real Business Cards Greece. In addition, no dish is complete without lemon. The combination of sour citrus with olive oil makes the products much more useful than individually. The country is famous for its wine; here you can try many varieties of an exquisite drink made from local grape varieties.

Those wishing to get to know the traditional cuisine of Greece should definitely try dolma, moussaka and pastitsio. Meat cuisine is represented by Paidakya, Brizola, Souvlaki, Gyros, Arni Psito, Stifado. Greek desserts are also famous. Going to dinner, order kadaifi, pahwala, galaktoboureko, Greek preserves or jams - pleasure is guaranteed.

Accommodation

Greece is rich in conditions for a luxurious holiday. A traveler does not have to choose expensive apartments to get the most out of the country. In addition to luxury hotels, resort areas are provided with hostels, where a tourist gets a bed, a shared kitchen, and a bathroom for reasonable money. The rental of villas, cottages, apartments is also developed. This option is perfect for lovers of secluded relaxation, planning their own own time. The Mouzenidis Travel company will select the appropriate option based on the wishes of the client. Making your stay comfortable is a top priority. The wide geography of the Greek offices of "Mouzenidis" allows you to improve the service, regardless of the location of the client.

UNESCO protection and monuments of Greece

1981 is the year of ratification by Greece of the Treaty for the Protection of the World Cultural and natural heritage UNESCO. The fame and significance of this document is undeniable. Since the signing of the agreement, the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites has been replenished with 17 monuments, archaeological sites of Greece.

The Temple of Epicurean Apollo (Corinth, Peloponnese) was the first to join the list. Since 1986, the ancient Greek cultural monument of the middle of the 5th century has been under the protection of UNESCO. The Corinthian style of the temple, the ancient capitals are elegantly edged with bold architectural ideas of the masters of that time.

A year later, the UNESCO list was enriched with the Acropolis of Athens. The temple complex is an example of the classical period of Greek culture. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the temple of Athena Nike, the gates of the Propylaea symbolize the ideas of world heritage, which can only be met in Greece. At the same time, the list was replenished with the Delphi zone: the sanctuary of the oracle of Apollo was recognized as the "navel of the earth." Monument of the 6th century BC was a symbol of the unity of the ancient world.

1988 was a landmark year for several monuments added to the UNESCO heritage list. Among them are the temple of Aslepios (Argolis, Peloponnese), Athos (Halkidiki), Meteora (Kalambaka, Thessaly), monuments of Thessaloniki from the era of early Christianity and Byzantium, the city of Rhodes (Rhodes).

The Temple of Aslepios is located on the Peloponnese peninsula. Worship of this god dates back to the 6th century BC, but monuments dedicated to him arose even before the emergence of the cult. There was a hospital building at the temple, since even then the Greeks respected healing.

The monastic republic of Athos, closed to women, has long been independent. Staraya Gora played an important role in the development of the school of icon painting, as well as the history of Orthodoxy. There are 20 monasteries on the territory of Athos, about one and a half thousand monks live there.

The "pillars of heaven", erected on the rocks in the Renaissance, still serve as holy cloisters. The difficult conditions of construction on Meteora did not prevent the monks from creating 24 monasteries, the icons and frescoes of which are an example of post-Byzantine icon painting.

The monuments of Thessaloniki from the UNESCO list include:

• Rotunda,
• Temple of Our Lady of Achiropietu (Not Made by Hands),
• Temple of Saint Demetrius,
• Latomu Monastery,
• Church of Hagia Sophia,
• Temple of Panagia Halkeon,
• Church of St. Panteleimon,
• Church of the Twelve Holy Apostles,
• Church of Saint Nicholas Orfanos,
• Church of Saint Catherine,
• Church of Pantocrator Christ the Savior,
• Vlatadon Monastery,
• Church of the Prophet Elijah
• Byzantine lutra,
• Fortified walls of Thessaloniki.

The history of the island of Rhodes is connected with constant occupation. XIV-XVI centuries made it a medieval fortress, further development events led to the occupation of the territory by Italy and Turkey. The city of Rhodes, thanks to the influence of various cultures, has become one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture, closely intertwined with the traditional buildings of the Ottomans.

Later, the monuments of Ancient Olympia (Ilia, the Peloponnese peninsula), the Mystras monument (Laconia, the Peloponnese peninsula), the monument of Delos (Delos island), the monastery of Daphni (Attica), the monastery of Usio Luka (Phokis), Nea Moni on the island of Chios (about . Chios) Ireon zone (Samos Island), zone of the city of Eges in Vergina (Vergina city).

Ancient Olympia of the Peloponnese has been a central point of worship since the 10th century supreme god Zeus. This zone is famous only for temple buildings, but also for sports facilities erected for the Olympic Games, which have been held there since 776 BC.

The city of Mistra was built as a fortress in the middle of the XIII century. It was rebuilt many times by the conquerors. Abandoned in 1832, the amazing city combines ancient ruins with natural splendor, making Mystra attractive to travelers.

Greek myths tell that the island of Kikalad is the birthplace of Apollo. The popularity of the port was ensured by the influx of pilgrims following to the sanctuary of the handsome god. Archaeological structures preserved on the island reflect the influence of civilizations over several millennia, conveying invaluable knowledge to modern researchers.

Three monasteries belonging to the same typology are located quite far from each other. The large dome is placed on arches, which, in turn, outline the space of eight corners. The monasteries of Daphni, Umui Luka, Nea Moni are decorated with colored mosaics with a gold backing, and rich marble lining of various colors is striking in splendor.

Aqueduct, Port Pythagoreon, Temple of Hera - Samos Island for a long time inhabited by various civilizations that created their monuments. Another archaeological zone is located in Vergina. It was there that the capital of ancient Macedonia, Eges, was discovered. A richly decorated palace, a necropolis with centuries-old tombs, among which is the tomb of the father of Alexander the Great - Philip II - the spirit of history has been living there since ancient times.

Until the end of the 20th century, two archaeological zones of the city of Argolis managed to join the UNESCO list. Mycenae and Tiryns are the largest cities of the Mycenaean civilization. Their fame is associated with the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer. 1999 also became a landmark year for the monuments of the island of Patmos: the monastery of St. John the Evangelist and the cave of the Apocalypse.

The new millennium brought the 17th landmark of Greece - the city of Corfu - to the World Heritage List. The fortifications of the ancient settlement saved the island of Corfu from constant occupation. Corfu keeps historical memory in fortresses and unique examples of architecture.

In addition, some of the monuments are still awaiting inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Palace of Knossos, the island of Spinalonga, the Venetian fortifications of Crete, Olympus, Nikopol, the excavations of ancient Philip and others. They are not only monuments of European culture, but also symbolize the classical period in the development of world history. Therefore, the preservation of these monuments is the duty of every inhabitant of the planet.
An interesting fact: the composition of the list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO includes the Mediterranean diet, where the famous "Greek salad" is listed.

Mouzenidis Travel is a company that is ready to open even unexplored corners of Greece to tourists. Extensive excursions, tours of the most famous sights, gastronomic trips - it will not be possible to leave the sunny country without new impressions, replenished baggage of experience, vivid emotions. Greece is a meeting with history, which is getting closer thanks to Mouzenidis Travel.

• One of the most famous legends says that God, when creating the Earth, sifted the soil through a sieve. He filled the whole planet with fertile earth. But there were stones that could not be used. Then God just threw them over his shoulder. Where the stones fell is now Greece. Indeed, 80% of the country's territory is mountains. However, even so, half of the land is covered with forests, making Greece a green, beautiful country.
• The state is famous family traditions. Family values ​​are honored from time immemorial. Nursing homes are rare in Greece: elderly parents live with their daughters for the rest of their lives. In addition, among the developed countries, the republic has the lowest rate of adolescent foster children.
• It is interesting to know that the Greeks themselves do not call their country Greece. They call their state Hellas, the official name also sounds like the Hellenic Republic. The Romans called Greece the country, in whose language this word meant "land of the Greeks."
• By the way, not only the state itself is ancient. Greek language originated about 3 thousand years ago, it is considered one of the oldest in the world.
• Shipping is the most important branch of the Greek industry. The number of ships owned by the Greeks is a quarter of the world's fleet or 75% of the European one.
• Birthday is the favorite holiday of many. The Greeks stand out from among the people, because their most important celebration is the name day. The day of memory of the saint, whose name a person is named, is celebrated on a grand scale. Guests bring numerous gifts, the table is filled with delicious dishes, wine, and the celebration is accompanied by dances and songs that continue until late in the evening.
• Be careful gesture! Waving your palm with your fingers spread out is an insult to the Greeks. The desire to greet someone is commendable, the main thing is to put your fingers together so as not to cause negativity in your address.
• The majority of the population of Greece, oddly enough, are Greeks. They make up 93% of the total population.

Cinema about Greece

Films will help you feel the atmosphere of the Mediterranean, get a little closer to the coast of Greece. The picturesque lands of the country attract cinematographers who joyfully arrive to open the maritime state to the world. "Mamma MIA!" although it tells about a non-existent island, the film was filmed on Skiathos and Skopelos, which belong to Greece. Cinema allows you to walk around the various corners of these two islands, while the audience is imbued with an atmosphere of warmth.

The film "My Big Greek Summer" is worthy of attention, if only because it was filmed in the Acropolis. Lenta was the first to receive permission to hold such events there after a long ban by the authorities. The cinema reveals the sights of mainland Greece, following them along the existing tourist route.

"Meteora" is a film, first of all, about love. The action takes place in a unique natural Greek region, stunning footage allows you to fully experience the magic of the nature of places. Cinema, where there are few words, but a lot of love, beauty, spirituality. It's similar to Greece itself.

Another noteworthy film is Pelican. A touching story against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea, the shores of the Greek islands of Sifnos and Milos becomes truly enchanting.

After watching, be sure to go straight to the places where the movie was filmed. Magnificent landscapes will help to see the company "Mouzenidis Travel". Guides will make ideal routes that allow you to see all the beauty of nature, the greatest monuments of history, culture, to keep memories of Greece with every cell of the body.

Following in the footsteps of the movies

Fans of the film "300 Spartans" about the exploits of King Leonidas should visit Thermopylae. The place of the legendary battle, shrouded in mystery, will become a memorable location. The traveler who visited Thermopylae will see with his own eyes unique place, the historical significance of which is reminiscent of the erected monument to the soldiers of Leonidas.

The second part of the film "300 Spartans: Rise of an Empire" sends its fans to visit the small town of Marathon. The settlement is famous for the battle against the Persians, where the Greeks inflicted crushing damage on the enemy. It is noteworthy that the Marathon became the venue for the first ... oddly enough, the Olympic marathon.

When you travel, prepare ahead of time. Choosing a travel company that will help you process the necessary documents is a difficult task. Turning to Mouzenidis Travel, a tourist receives a full range of services, high quality of service, availability of offices. Prepared excursion programs, including both educational program, and recreational activities, allow you to explore Greece in every possible way, its features, sights, cuisine.

- a state in southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula.

Official name of Greece:
Greek Republic.

Territory of Greece:
The area of ​​the state of the Hellenic Republic is 131,940 km².

Greece population:
The population of Greece is more than 10 million inhabitants (10964020 people).

Ethnic groups of Greece:
The majority of the population of Greece are Greeks - 92%. The only official minority are the Muslims of Thrace and the Dodecanese, including Turks - 0.8%, Pomaks (Bulgarian-speaking Muslims, 0.3%) and Muslim Gypsies (0.1%). Other minorities are distinguished mainly on linguistic grounds and are not officially recognized in Greece: Albanians (1%; including Arvanites), "Slavophone Greeks" or Macedonian Slavs (close to Macedonians, 1.6%), Aromanians (1.1% , including Meglenites), Gypsies (1.8%), Serbs (0.3%), Arabs (0.3%), Armenians (0.3%), Jews (0.05%), etc.

Average life expectancy in Greece:
The average life expectancy in Greece is - 78.89 years (see. Rating of countries in the world by average life expectancy).

Capital of Greece:
Athens.

Major cities in Greece:
Athens, Heraklion, Thessaloniki.

Official language of Greece:
Greek.

Religion in Greece:
Article 3 of the Greek Constitution states: "The dominant religion in Greece is the religion of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ." The absolute majority (98%, according to 2006 data) of the Greek population are members of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Geographical position of Greece:
The Greek peninsula, located in southeastern Europe, covers an area of ​​131,944 km². 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. Greece borders with Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Greece is washed by:
the Mediterranean Sea, including: the Ionian, Aegean Seas, and the southern coast of Crete - the Libyan Sea. Greece consists of about 2,000 islands, which account for almost 20% of the entire country.

The territory of Greece is divided into three parts.
Mainland Greece includes: Macedonia - the northern region of Greece, bordering on Albania (Janina, Igoumenitsa), Bulgaria (Rhodopi) and Macedonia (Kastoria, Chalkidiki); Thrace - the northeastern region bordering Bulgaria and Turkey (Alexandropol, Komotini); Epirus - the northwestern region bordering Albania (washed by the Ionian Sea); Thessaly is the most flat region, from the east it is washed by the Aegean Sea (Larisa, Volos, Trikala);

Central Greece - the central part of Greece (Chalcis, Lamia, Amfissa):
Attica - the area around Athens; The Peloponnese is the largest peninsula of Greece (area - 21.4 thousand km²), connected to the mainland by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth (5 km wide), through which a canal was dug at the end of the 19th century (length 6500 m, width 23.5 m, depth 40 m).

The third region of Greece is formed by the islands of the Aegean Sea:
Euboea - the second largest, after Crete, the island of Greece (3.9 thousand km²), connected to the continent by a bridge; Lesvos is one of the major islands of Greece (1.6 thousand km²); Northern Sporades - the islands of Skyros, Skopelos, Jura, Iliodramia, and others in the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea; Cyclades - "kyklos" in Greek - forming a ring, an archipelago in the central and southern parts of the Aegean Sea (the islands of Amorgos, Andros, Sifnos, Santorini, Timos, Kitnos, etc.); Southern Sporades - Dodecanese - an archipelago of 12 islands in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey (the islands of Rhodes, Samos, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Leros, etc.).

The Greek landscape is an alternation of rocky, usually treeless mountains, densely populated valleys, numerous islands, straits and bays.
Picturesque cliffs, beaches, exotic grottoes provide great opportunities for seaside recreation and mountain tourism. The wide distribution of limestones, especially in the western part of Greece, has led to the formation of sinkholes, caves, giving the landscape a peculiar wild look and attracting lovers to try their hand at speleology. Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the surface of the territory of Greece. These are predominantly medium-altitude mountains (up to 1200-1800 m). The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus (2917 m). Pindus, Parnassus, the mountain range in the north of the Peloponnese and Taygetos also rise above 2000 meters. There are few plains, they are concentrated in eastern half countries, with the exception of the Peloponnese, where plains predominate on the west coast. About 44% of the territory is under forest and shrubs. National parks of Greece: Vikos-Aoos, Mikra-Prespa, Eta and others. When walking in the mountains, it must be remembered that there are many reptiles in Greece (turtles, lizards and snakes, including the horned viper).

Rivers of Greece:
Large river systems could not form on the narrow and mountainous Greek peninsula. Mountain rivers predominate, short, stormy, with picturesque rapids and waterfalls, often flowing to the sea in narrow canyons. The longest river in Greece is Alyakmon (almost 300 km). Other major rivers- Ebros, Nestos, Strimon, Vardar, Acheloos. Rivers are not suitable for navigation, but they play a rather large role as sources of energy.

Administrative-territorial division of Greece:
The administrative division of Greece comprises 13 administrative districts(regions, or peripheries), which are then subdivided into 54 nomes, or prefectures. In addition to these 13 districts, Greece includes 1 autonomous region - Aion Oros in the region of Mount Athos. Thirteen regions are governed by general secretaries who are appointed by the government. General Secretaries are representatives of the government. They support central government functions and services and help the government develop regional policy development.

The state structure of Greece:
Greece is a unitary state, consisting of 13 administrative units - regions. In 1983, it was legally established that issues of local importance are in charge of councils elected by the population through direct elections. According to the 1975 constitution, Greece has a parliamentary form of government. The head of government is the prime minister - the head of the party that has the most seats in parliament. The government headed by the prime minister is responsible to the parliament.

Legislative power in Greece is vested in the Chamber of Deputies, a unicameral representative body elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 4 years.
The Chamber of Deputies consists of not less than 200 and not more than 300 people. The chamber meets once a year for a regular session, which lasts at least 5 months. In order to prepare and study bills and legislative proposals, at the beginning of each session, it forms parliamentary commissions from its members. Legislative activity is carried out during plenary sessions.

The head of state is the president, who is elected by parliament for a term of five years and may be re-elected for another term.
The President is empowered to declare war and conclude treaties with other countries. He appoints the prime minister and, on the recommendation of the latter, the other members of the government. The President may call special sittings of Parliament and dissolve it on the proposal of the government or with the consent of the Council of the Republic. The Council is composed of the Prime Minister, the head of the parliamentary opposition, the Speaker of Parliament, and former prime ministers and presidents of democratically elected governments.

The Government exercises executive power, represented by the Prime Minister and ministers (one or more of them may be appointed vice-premiers).
The government is formed by the party that wins the majority of seats in Parliament. The leader of that party becomes prime minister. Within 15 days from the moment he takes the oath, the Government must raise the issue of confidence before the Parliament. The Chamber of Deputies has the right to "take back its confidence" in the Government or one of its members. A resolution of reproof may only be introduced 6 months after the House has rejected the previous resolution. The resolution of reprimand must be signed by at least 1/6 of the deputies.

The government carries out the general policy of the state in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
Under the provisions of the ministerial liability laws, members of the Council of Ministers and state secretaries are liable for omissions committed in the performance of their functions. The system of government in Greece is based on the principle of decentralization. There are local authorities of the first and second levels and the regional administration. Local authorities The first level consists of municipalities and communities, which are responsible for solving local issues. The total number of communities and municipalities is less than 1000. Second level local government- 51 prefectures, headed by prefectural councils and prefects, who since 1994 have been directly elected by the citizens. Local authorities of the second level deal with more general issues.

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 western coasts located in 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 even to slightly negative (0...-2), in the daytime it is 8...10 degrees.

Most warm time years are 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 mountainous areas occupying most 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. AT summer period(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. They mainly flow along faults in the mountains, therefore they have 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 as a whole, abounds 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, animal world The country is poor in mammals, especially large ones, which have been exterminated by man 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: Pinda and the mountains along the border with Bulgaria are found Mountain goat and a brown bear, in the more remote forest areas wolf meets.

Also from predators in Greece can be seen wild cat, fox, jackal, stone marten, badger, wild boar, European bear, 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, dormice, voles, etc.), southern species 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. AT woodlands the Greek land tortoise lives - the most common species of turtles in the country. Of the numerous lizards, the most typical for 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, doves, pigeons and stockheads, gray and especially mountain partridges, brightly feathered hoopoes, rollers, kingfishers, and from predatory kites, black vultures, eagles, falcons, owls are the most typical representatives of the bird fauna of Greece and the entire Mediterranean. On the sea ​​coasts numerous flocks of gulls.

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.

Attractions

• 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.