The country of Greece has had a long and eventful history. In ancient times Greece was a major center of science, philosophy, and art. In the 20th century the country experienced numerous wars and frequent changes of government. During the 1990s Greece began to emerge from its past economic and political problems to become an important member of the European community. The capital of Greece is Athens. GeographyLocated in southeastern Europe, Greece covers about 51,000 square miles (132,000 square kilometers). It consists of a mainland portion and some 2,000 islands. The Greek mainland is situated at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It has a rugged coastline more than 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) in length. To the west is the Ionian Sea, to the south the Mediterranean Sea, and to the east the Aegean Sea. Greece has land borders only to the north and northeast. These run from west to east with Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The Greek mainland is divided into several regions. The provinces of Macedonia and Thrace lie along the northern coast of the Aegean Sea. To the west lies Epirus, which forms the northern boundary with Albania. East of Epirus and south of Macedonia is Thessaly. The southern half of Greece consists of the provinces of Central Greece and Euboea and a large peninsula, the Peloponnesus. The islands make up about 20 percent of the total area of Greece. The Aegean Islands lie off the east coast of the mainland. The Ionian Islands are situated off the west coast. Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, is located to the south in the Mediterranean Sea. About 80 percent of Greece consists of mountains. The highest peak is Mount Olympus at 9,570 feet (2,917 meters). The Pindus Mountains, which run north and south on the mainland, are the most important range in Greece. The mountains of Greece are young from a geological standpoint, and they are still in the building stage. This results in many earthquakes. Greece also experiences occasional volcanic activity. One of the largest volcanic eruptions ever recorded occurred on the island of Thera in about 1500 BC. The climate of Greece is typical of the Mediterranean region. Summers are hot and dry and winters are mild and rainy. Along the coasts and on the islands summer temperatures average around 80° F (27° C) and winter temperatures rarely drop below 50° F (10° C). Temperatures and weather patterns vary considerably in the mountain regions, where snowfall occurs during the winter months. Plants and animals - Olive and cypress trees against the mountainous background of northern Corfu, Greece.
Plant life in Greece is very rich. Among the many different Mediterranean species of trees are evergreen oak, cypress, and pine and shrubs such as juniper, myrtle, and oleander. The northern mountains have forests of such trees as oak, chestnut, ash, and beech. Fir and pine grow on the upper slopes. Much of the original forest has vanished as a result of human activity. Now about 20 percent of the country's area is forested. Wildlife in Greece varies from region to region. Bears, wolves, wildcats, martens, wild boars, lynxes, and deer live in the mountain forests. The southern coastal areas are inhabited by such Mediterranean animals as the jackal, wild goat, and porcupine. Greece has a variety of birds, including the heron, stork, and pelican. Reptiles include snakes, lizards, and turtles. PeopleIn ancient times Greece was an ethnically diverse empire spanning the Mediterranean region and extending into Asia. Modern Greece, however, is overwhelmingly Greek in ethnicity, language, and culture. Ethnic Greeks make up some 98 percent of the country's population of more than 10.5 million. Ninety-nine percent of the population speaks modern Greek, a language similar to ancient Greek. Nearly all of the people belong to the Greek Orthodox church, which is a branch of Christianity. Muslims compose the second largest religious group, making up 1 percent of the population. Small numbers of ethnic minorities live in Greece, including Turks, Macedonians, Albanians, and Armenians. The Greek government does not officially recognize these ethnic minority groups. Ethnic differences have created tensions between Greece and the neighboring countries of Macedonia, Turkey, and Albania. - The harbour front, Pátrai, Greece
About 65 percent of the population of Greece lives in cities. The largest city by far is the capital, Athens. Other major cities include Thessaloniki, Piraeus, and Pátrai. Education is provided for all children in Greece until age 15. Greece has a fairly extensive state-run university system. The University of Athens is the oldest and largest in Greece. Private universities are banned by the constitution. As a result, many students travel abroad to pursue college degrees. CultureAlthough influenced by the ancient Greeks, modern Greek culture has generally developed along European lines. Modern Greece is known particularly for its poets and writers. Two Greek poets have won the Nobel prize for literature, George Seferis in 1963 and Odysseus Elytis in 1979. The Greek novelist best known outside the country is Níkos Kazantzákis. His book Zorba the Greek (1946) was made into a popular film. Greek folk music has colored much of the country's popular and classical music. The bouzouki is the most popular folk instrument. Greek composers have used the bouzouki to add distinctive tones to their works. EconomyAgriculture still makes up an important portion of the Greek economy. Nearly one fifth of the population works in farming. Because of limitations of the environment, however, only about 30 percent of the country can be farmed. In the northern part of the country, wheat, corn, and other staples are grown. Olives, oranges, lemons, grapes, and other Mediterranean crops are grown in the warmer coastal areas and on the islands. Greece is noted for its wine, olive oil, and tobacco. The mountain regions are used mainly as pasture for herding sheep and goats. The fishing industry is an important source of food for Greece. Industry in Greece is weak compared to other European countries. Manufacturing is centered in the Athens area. The main products include food, beverages, and tobacco; chemicals; textiles; clothing; and transport equipment. Continuing its historical role as a trading nation, Greece has a strong shipping industry. Although Greece has few natural resources, bauxite, the raw material for the production of aluminum, is mined in large quantities. During the 1990s Greece developed significant high-technology and telecommunications industries. Tourism is a key industry in Greece. The country's natural beauty and ancient ruins make it a popular destination for vacationers. More than 10 million tourists arrive each year, the majority from other European countries. In the late 20th century Greece faced a number of economic problems. The causes included political instability, heavy foreign debt, and declining agricultural production. Despite its economic struggles, in 1981 Greece was admitted to the organization of countries that eventually became the European Union (EU). Partly as a result of EU membership, the Greek economy began to improve during the 1990s. History - The Venetian fort, Iráklion, Greece
After a long history, Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire in the late 4th century AD. (For the early history of Greece, see Greece, Ancient.) The Byzantine Empire was constantly under attack, and during the 13th century parts of Greece were annexed by the rising power of Venice. In 1453 Greece, along with the rest of the Byzantine Empire, was conquered by the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. The Greeks revolted against Turkish rule repeatedly during the Ottoman period. In 1821 the Greeks began a war of independence. Supported by Great Britain, France, and Russia, Greece declared its independence in 1829. UnificationThe boundaries of the new state had been set by negotiation with the Turks, but they did not include all of the original territory of ancient Greece. During the 19th and early 20th centuries Greece regained control over much of its historic land. In 1864 Great Britain gave the Ionian Islands to Greece. The region of Thessaly was obtained from Turkey in 1881. In 1912–13 Greece fought alongside Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro in the First Balkan War against Turkey. In 1913 Greece joined Serbia in the Second Balkan War against Bulgaria, their former ally. As a result of the Balkan Wars, Greece regained control over Crete and much territory on the mainland. World War I and the Greek-Turkish WarIn 1917 Greece entered World War I on the side of the Allies. Turkey sided with the Germans. In order to assure Greek participation in the war, the Allies had promised Greece territory in Turkey. Fighting between Greece and Turkey continued long after the end of World War I in 1918. By 1919 Greece had won significant territory from Turkey, including the city of Smyrna. In 1921–22 Greece and Turkey fought another war. Turkey easily defeated Greece and reclaimed much of the land that Greece had taken. World War II and the civil warIn 1941, during World War II, Greece was occupied by Nazi Germany. The Greeks resisted the Germans throughout the occupation. In 1944 the German army withdrew from Greece. Following World War II civil war broke out in Greece between Communist and anti-Communist forces. The Communists, who had played a leading role in the war against Germany, received strong support from the Greek population. Worried by the spread of Communism, the United States and Britain supported the anti-Communist forces. The anti-Communists won the war in 1949. The postwar eraWith aid from the United States, Greece recovered from the civil war. Political instability made rebuilding difficult, however. In 1967 a group of army officers seized control of the country. The military government remained in power until 1974, when a democratically elected government was restored. During the 1970s and 1980s Greece clashed with its longtime rival, Turkey, over a number of issues. In 1974 Greece and Turkey nearly fought a war over control of the island of Cyprus. The two countries continued to have territorial disputes for many years. Greece had disputes with other neighbors as well. At the beginning of the 21st century, however, it was working to resolve those issues and to strengthen its membership in the European Union. Population (2001 estimate), 10,975,000. |