Greece is located in southeastern Europe between Turkey, Bulgaria
and Albania, bordering the Mediterranean, Aegean , and Ionian
Seas. Situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula,
it includes many hundreds of small islands, the majority of which
are uninhabited.
Travel Insurance for Greece:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Greece
The islands of Greece are generally divided
into two groups: the islands in the Ionian Sea to the west of
Greece , which include Corfu , Leucas and Cephalonia ; and the
islands in the Aegean Sea to the south and east, which include
Crete , Santorini, Chios , Lesbos , Samos and Euboea . Other
groups of islands in the NE area of the Aegean include the Cyclades
where the island of Mykonos is located, the Dodecanese and Sporades
where the island of Skiathos is located. The northern and central
mainland areas of Greece and W. Macedonia are mountainous. The
Pindus mountains are the major mountain range which reaches from
NW Greece to the Peloponnese . The highest peak is Mt. Olympus
at approx. 9,500 feet. Athens is the capital city, but other
major cities include Thessaloniki , Piraeus and Patras.
The population is mainly comprised of Greek people. Greek Orthodox
is the dominant religion, with some Muslim and others. Greek
is the official language, although French and English are also
spoken.
Greece is a very popular tourist destination and it has something
for every taste. Whether you like relaxing and enjoying the climate
and beautiful beaches, outdoor sporting activities, or a cultural
holiday exploring museums, monasteries, galleries, the classics,
and ancient history.
Today Greece is a wonderland of ancient monuments and ruins
which reflect many eras of history. Amazing attractions such
as the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus, and
many museums are must-sees.
The north part of the country has the region of Macedonia ,
and Greece ’s second largest city of Thessaloniki . There
are many monuments dating back to the Roman, Ottoman and the
Byzantine eras.
The mountain ranges in Greece provide for excellent outdoor
activities year-round. Mt. Parnassos , close to Delphi , is a
popular area for winter sports, with skiing and snowboarding
from December -April with over a dozen ski areas. Other areas
include Vermio Mountain .
The capital city, Athens , is today a big bustling,
modern city, but it has much ancient history, and its own charm,
and is a good place to start off if you are exploring the country
and its islands. The old town area, Plaka, is a charming place
to meet and stroll, and the Acropolis, the hill where the Parthenon
is situated is top on any visitor’s list. The Acropolis
is situated upon one of the eight hills of the city. Other attractions
include the Temple of Zeus and the Dionysos Theatre. Athens has
many fascinating museums, good restaurants and bars, and is the
place to go if you are looking for nightlife. Athens is also
an easy place to get around with its Metro subway system, and
many places are accessible by a trip from Athens , such as Corinth
and Mycenae . The old port of Piraeus is the place to go to catch
a ferry to the surrounding Greek islands.
The island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea has long
been a busy tourist destination. Although it has become commercialised,
there are parts of the island where you can find lovely beaches,
villages and wonderful scenery. The west side of Corfu is popular
for backpackers. Corfu Town is Corfu ’s capital and it
was built during the time the Venetians were in control. It is
an important port and one of the largest towns of the Ionian
Island chain.
The island of Crete in the eastern Mediterranean
Sea is the largest of the Greek islands and at the southern
end of Greece . It is a place of ancient civilizations as evidenced
by its amazing archeological ruins and sites. The capital of
the island is Iraklion and boat trips to Santorini and Athens
can be caught from there. There are good beaches on the west
side of the island and the middle part of the island is mainly
mountainous. The island is known for its farming with olives
and oranges among the crops grown, and for its goats, sheep and
other livestock.
Rhodes is located in the Aegean Sea in the southeastern
part of Greece and is the largest of the Dodecanese , situated
close to Turkey . Other islands in the Dodecanese include Samos
and Kos . It is a very popular destination for visitors for its
sunny climate and sandy beaches. The city of Rhodes is a port
city, located at the NW part of the island and is the capital
of the Dodecanese . It is almost completely surrounded by the
sea. The city is cosmopolitan but still retains its medieval
flavour. The ancient sites at Lindos, Kamiros and the various
medieval castles are not to be missed. Another place of interest
for nature lovers is the Valley of the Butterflies. |
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