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A short story about Greece. Brief information about Greece

The official name is the Hellenic Republic (Elliniki Dhimokratia, Hellenic Republic). Located in the southeastern part of Europe. Area 131.957 thousand km2, population 10.9 million people. (2001). Official language- Greek. The capital is Athens (741 thousand people, 2002). Public holiday - Independence Day on March 25 (since 1821). The monetary unit is the euro (until 2002 - the drachma).

Member of international organizations: UN (since 1945), Council of Europe (since 1949), NATO (since 1952), EU (since 1981).

Sights of Greece

Geography of Greece

Located between 22° east longitude and 39° north latitude. It is washed by the seas: Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean. Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula with a heavily indented coastline. The largest peninsula is the Peloponnese. The total length of the coastline is 13,676 km due to the large number of islands - St. 2000. The largest islands are Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesvos.

It borders on the north with Albania (282 km), Macedonia (246 km) and Bulgaria (494 km), and on the east with Turkey (206 km).

The landscape is predominantly mountainous (4/5 total area) with medium-altitude mountain ranges jutting into the sea as peninsulas or chains (archipelagos) of islands. The entire territory is crossed from northwest to southeast by two mountain systems. Western: the Pindus Mountains, the Peloponnese Peninsula, the mountains of the islands of Crete and Rhodes. Eastern: the Gramos mountains, the Othrys and Parnassus massifs, the islands of Euboea and the Cyclades. Medium-altitude massifs predominate (1200 - 1800 m). Mount Olympus (2917 m) is the highest point, the second peak is Smolikas (2637 m). The mountains are distinguished by sharp erosional dissection and widespread development of karst. In the northeast of the country there are spurs of the Pirin and Rhodope mountains. Small plains are located along the coast of the Aegean Sea: Thessalian, Thessaloniki, etc.

Rivers: Vardar, Maritsa, Strymon, Nestos (Mesta), etc. Mountain rivers predominate. Lakes: Prespa, Trichonis, Vegoritis.

Soils in coastal and low-mountain areas under scrub and dry forests are brown and brown-brown; higher - brown mountain-forest. On the carbonate rocks of eastern Thessaly, the Peloponnese, and the Sporades there are mountain red soils.

The flora and fauna are distinguished by significant diversity. Recorded approx. 5500 plant species. The most extensive forests are found in northern Greece and on the northern and eastern islands of the Aegean and Ionian Seas - mainly pine, as well as deciduous (more than 200 varieties of trees and large shrubs). Under forest and bushes approx. 44% of the territory. National parks: Vikos-Aoos, Mikra-Presna, Eta and others.

The territory of Greece is home to many animals listed in the Red Book, among them: the Mediterranean sea turtle, the monk seal. The northern forests are inhabited by brown bear, marten, roe deer, and less commonly - wolf, wild boar, fox, and wild forest cat. In the south - jackal, wild goat, porcupine. Many migratory birds winter in Greece.

Among the mineral resources, rich deposits of bauxite, reserves of St. 650 million tons. Deposits of lignite, magnesite, oil, marble, high-quality iron ores.

The climate is transitional from temperate to Mediterranean, with mild and wet winters and dry and hot summers. Average temperatures in January are 4-12 °C, in July 25-27 °C. The amount of precipitation per year is 400-700 mm on the plains, 1500 mm in the mountains.

Population of Greece

Population growth over the past 10-20 years has averaged 0.5-1% per year. The birth rate is 9.8‰, the mortality rate is 9.6‰. Infant mortality 6.25 people. per 1000 newborns. Age and gender structure of the population: men - 49.49%, women - 50.51%. Under the age of 14 years - 14.12%, from 15 to 64 years - 67.36%, 65 years and older - 18.52%. Average life expectancy is 78.74 years, incl. women - 81.48 and men - 76.17.

Urban population - 62.5% (1990). Literacy is 97% of the population: 98.5% of men and 95% of women. Ethnic composition: 98% - Greeks. The official language is Greek (99% of the population). Religious composition: 98% - Orthodox, 1.3% - Muslims, 0.7% - others.

History of Greece

The first states on the territory of Greece appeared in the 2nd millennium BC. In the 8th-6th centuries. BC. poleis (city-states) were formed. In 338 BC Greece is subordinated to Macedonia. 3-2 centuries - the era of military alliances of policies (Achaean Union). In 146 BC conquered by Rome. From the 4th century - the main part of Byzantium. All R. 15th century captured by the Ottoman Empire. The history of modern Greece usually begins from this period. As a result of the Greek War of Independence (1821-30), an independent Greek state was formed, occupying only part of the territory of modern Greece. The new state included only the Peloponnese, Central Greece, the Cyclades and the Sporades islands.

The first leader of the country is J. Kapodistrias. Reformer, killed in 1831 by reactionaries. As a result of the intervention of the great powers in order to restore order, an absolute monarchy was established under the London Agreement of 1832. King Otto, the son of the King of Bavaria, was placed on the throne. In 1843, a conservative Constitution was adopted (in fact, it was not respected). In 1862, King Otto was forced to abdicate the throne.

In 1864, a new Constitution was adopted, establishing a constitutional monarchy. The king remained head of state subject to the functioning of a unicameral parliament. George I of the Danish House of Glucksburg was enthroned. In the same year, the Ionian Islands were annexed, and in 1881, Thessaly and part of Epirus were annexed.

In 1875, the principle of parliamentarism was established: the head of the Greek state was obliged to ask the leader of the political party with a parliamentary majority to form a government. In the last decades of the 19th century. The country was led by Charilaos Trikoupis, whose rule was marked by radical reforms in administration, justice, military and educational structures. In the beginning. 20th century Prime Minister (1910-15, 1917-20, 1928-32) Eleftherios Venizelos continued the policy of modernizing institutions and reforms. As a result of the Balkan Wars (1912-13) and the 1st World War, Macedonia, Epirus, Western Thrace, the island of Crete and the northern Aegean islands were included in the new state. After the Greco-Turkish War (1919-22) and after the Lausanne Agreement (1923), there was significant population migration between the two countries, ca. 1.4 million Greeks left Turkey, and 350 thousand Muslims left Greece.

In 1924 Greece was declared a republic. As a result of a falsified plebiscite (1935), the monarchy was restored in Greece, and a military dictatorship was established in 1936. In October 1940, Italian troops invaded Greece (they were expelled from the country in November 1940). In April 1941, Greece was attacked by Germany, which soon completely occupied it. King George II fled the country. In September 1941, the Greek National Liberation Front (EAF) was created, and in December - the People's Liberation Army (ELAS), led by communists. By the end of October 1944, the entire Greek mainland was liberated. The “government of national unity” created in May 1944 called British troops to Greece, which began military operations against ELAS in December 1944. In September 1946, after a plebiscite, the king returned to the throne. In April 1967, the reactionary military carried out a coup d'etat and established a regime of military dictatorship. In July 1974, the regime was overthrown and a civilian government came to power. As a result of a referendum (December 8, 1974), the monarchy was abolished in Greece.

Government and political system of Greece

Greece is a democratic state governed by the rule of law with a republican form of government. The Constitution adopted on June 11, 1975 is in force.

The highest legislative body is a unicameral parliament consisting of 300 seats. Parliamentary elections are held once every 4 years and are direct and secret. Citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote. The parliamentary majority receives the right to form a government headed by the prime minister. Parliament elects the head of state - the president, for a period of 5 years. Executive power is exercised by the president and the government. Since 1995, the President of the Republic is Konstantinos Stephanopoulos (second term). The president's powers are limited; he does not take direct and active part in politics. The government consists of a cabinet, which includes the prime minister, ministers and ministers without portfolio. Since 1996, Kostas Simitis, leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), has served as Prime Minister.

Prominent political figures: Andreas Papandreou (1919-96), Konstantinos Karamanlis (1907-98), Charilaos Trikoupis (1832-96), Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936).

Administrative division: 13 administrative regions - Attica, Western Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Ionian Islands, Central Greece, Western Greece, Peloponnese, Aegean North, Aegean South, Crete. The regions are divided into 51 prefectures (nomoi): Achaea, Aetolia kai Acarnania, Argolis, Arcadia, Arta, Attica, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodecanese, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evoia, Florina, Phocis, Phthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia , Ioannia, Herakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Corinthia, Kozani, Cyclades, Laconia, Larissa, Lasifi, Lefkas, Lesbos, Magnesia, Messinia, Pela, Pieria, Preveza, Refinnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai , Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Boeotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos and one autonomous region of Holy Mount Athos.

The largest cities: Athens, Thessaloniki (358 thousand people), Piraeus (178 thousand people).

The system of government bodies is multi-level, based on the principle of decentralization. There are local authorities of the first and second levels and regional administration.

First-level local authorities consist of municipalities and communities, which are responsible for solving local issues. The total number of communities and municipalities is less than 1000. The second level of local government is 51 prefectures, headed by prefectural councils and prefects, who are directly elected by citizens (since 1994). Second-level local authorities deal with more general issues.

Thirteen regions are governed by general secretaries appointed by the government. Secretaries-General are representatives of the government. They support central government functions and services and also assist the government in developing regional development policies.

The political arena in modern Greece is essentially dominated by two big parties, namely PASOK (founded by Andreas Papandreou in 1974, chaired by Kostandinos Simitis) and New Democracy (founded by Konstantinos Karamanlis in 1974, chaired by Kostas Karamanlis), which is the mainstream right party. Other parties represented in the Greek Parliament are KKE (Communist Party of Greece, chaired by Aleka Papariga) and Siaspismos (Coalition of the Left, chaired by Nikolaos Konstandopoulos).

In its foreign policy, Greece adheres to the principle of adherence to the standards of international legality and compliance with international law. Greece is trying to pursue a peaceful and good neighborly policy aimed at establishing peace and stability in the south-eastern Mediterranean. A constructive dialogue has begun with Turkey, aimed at defusing tensions between the two countries that arose over the issue of the territorial ownership of the islands in the Aegean Sea.

Greece is actively involved in UN attempts to resolve the Cyprus problem, caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of Cyprus.

Greece participates in the work of various international organizations and has been a member of the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE since their founding. Greece joined the EU (then the European Economic Community) in 1981 after a long period of association (since 1961). Greece actively supports the future enlargement of the EU, especially the accession of Cyprus, as a task of strategic importance for Europe and the Middle East in the context of strengthening stability in the region.

A peculiarity of the foreign and domestic policy of Greece is the existence of an extensive Greek diaspora abroad: St. 4 million people Most of them are located in the USA (more than 2 million), where the Greek lobby is considered quite influential. In addition, the Greek diaspora exists in Australia (about 700 thousand), in Canada (350 thousand), in Europe (over 500 thousand). The World Council of Hellenes Abroad (1995) coordinates the interaction of regional organizations.

Armed forces Greece are based on a combination of a professional army and universal conscription for men (duration of conscription service from 16 to 23 months). Defense spending is 4.5% of GDP, the highest in NATO. The armed forces consist of the Greek Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and National Guard. The total number of the Georgian Armed Forces (including those in reserve) is 2.6 million people. Greek military personnel participated as part of UN peacekeeping forces in peacekeeping operations in Somalia and other missions in Albania, Kuwait and the former Yugoslavia.

Greece has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1924).

Economy of Greece

The Greek economy is a market economy with a large share of the public sector. Since the 1970s Greece was characterized by rather weak economic development, cumbersome labor legislation, low GNP per capita, and high internal debt. From ser. 1990s The Greek economy has noticeably stabilized due to the fact that the government has tightened economic measures in order to bring Greece's economic indicators to the criteria of the Maastricht Agreement for the introduction of a single European currency in 2001. In particular, Greece reduced its budget deficit to 0.8% in 2000, and in 2001 achieved a surplus of 0.1% for the first time. Tightening monetary policy allowed to reduce inflation to 4% of the total. 1998, and in 2001 - to 3.4% (the lowest figure in the last 29 years). In 2001, GDP was 44,446 billion drachmas. GDP growth 6.3%. The country maintains a high unemployment rate of 9.6% (2002). GNP per capita approx. 3.8 million drachmas (2000). Further restructuring of the economy and reduction of unemployment are the main tasks of today's Greece.

Greece has traditionally been an agrarian-industrial country, but recently the importance of the service sector has greatly increased. Sectoral structure of the economy: industry - 22% of GDP, 21% of employees; agriculture - approx. 8% of GDP, 20% of employment; service sector - 70% of GDP and St. 59% employed.

Main industries: food, tobacco, textile, chemical, metalworking, mining, oil refining.

Mining production in 1999 amounted to 1.87 million tons of bauxite, 61.8 million tons of lignite, 1.1 million tons of magnesite.

Agriculture continues to play an important role. Export of agricultural products - approximately 22% of total exports. The following are grown: wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, grapes (for wine production), tobacco, potatoes, beef cattle, and dairy products are produced. Subtropical fruit growing and viticulture are developed. Marine fishing is one of the fastest growing industries. Over the course of 15 years, fishing expanded to approx. 60% of EU production is sea bass and sea bream, two of the most popular Mediterranean commercial fish species.

In the service sector, tourism and sea freight have the largest share.

Tourism is the largest sector of the Greek economy (15th in the world tourism classification). In 2000, St. 13.5 million tourists. The main part (over 90%) are tourists from Europe. Tourism accounts for approx. 15% of GDP.

An important branch of the economy is maritime cargo transportation: 1946 ships with a tonnage of St. 1000 register tons. The tonnage of the merchant fleet is 49.45 million dwt (2002). The Greek merchant fleet ranks 1st among EU member states, amounting to approx. 50% of the total EU fleet, and 5th internationally.

The total length of railways is 2571 km, incl. 1565 km of standard gauge, 983 km of narrow gauge and 23 km of combined gauge. Highways: total 117,000 km, 107,406 km with hard surface (including 470 km of high-speed highways), 9,594 km without pavement.

The inland waterway system (total length 80 km) consists of three rivers and three coastal canals, including the Corinth Canal (6 km). Pipeline transport: oil pipeline 26 km, product pipeline - 547 km.

Main seaports: Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Elefsis, Alexandroupolis. 79 airports, incl. 6 large ones.

Telephone communications cover the entire territory of the country. Total telephone subscribers - 5.431 million. Internet users - 1.4 million (2001), providers - 27.

Modern Greek economic policy is determined by the need to maintain eurozone standards. The government is taking measures to increase tax collection and tighten financial discipline: a more efficient tax collection system is being introduced, the number of tax benefits is being reduced, and additional taxes have appeared. Budget expenditures are growing slowly thanks to low rates wage growth for public sector employees. The improved financial situation has made it possible to reduce indirect taxes on fuel to reduce inflation.

It is noteworthy that the reduction of the budget deficit in Greece was achieved without resorting to cuts in social programs. However, rising social security costs and public hospital debt are forcing the government to initiate social reforms, overcoming resistance from trade unions. The government also plans to privatize some leading state-owned enterprises.

The problem continues to be high public debt, although there is evidence of its reduction: 108.2% of GDP in 1997, 103.8% in 1999 and 99.7% in 2001.

All R. 1990s liberalization of the banking sector was undertaken. Were put up for sale control packages almost all banks previously controlled by the state, which caused a wave of consolidation. Leading Greek banks have strong regional influence.

Important reforms in recent years are the complete liberalization of the telecommunications market, the transformation of the Public Energy Corporation into a joint-stock company for subsequent privatization, and the liberalization of the energy sector.

The EU provides financial assistance to Greece in the amount of approx. 4% of GDP annually. Funds are mainly allocated to the development of transport infrastructure.

Greece's foreign trade balance is negative. It is compensated by the developed service sector: maritime cargo transportation, tourism. Export: agricultural products, clothing and textile products, cement, mineral raw materials. Main export partners (million drachmas, 2000): Germany (480), Italy (357), Great Britain (249), USA (211), Turkey (198). EU countries account for up to 51.6% of total exports. In 2000, total exports (including services) amounted to 25% of GDP.

Import: mechanical engineering products, vehicles, fuel, chemicals. The main suppliers of imported products are EU countries 61% (including Italy 16%, Germany 16%, France 8%, UK 7%), USA 11%.

Science and culture of Greece

The education system consists of three levels: compulsory primary school, high school(divided into lyceums and technical schools), as well as special and higher education. There are 18 higher education institutions in the country. The largest of them are: the University of Athens (1837), universities in Thessaloniki (1925) and Patras (1966), and the Polytechnic Institute in Athens (1836). In the 2000/2001 academic year, St. 148 thousand students.

Greek culture dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. It is customary to distinguish three main periods of ancient Greek culture: pre-classical (before the 6th century BC), classical (5-4 centuries BC) and Hellenistic (2nd half of the 4th - mid-1st century BC AD). In the preclassical era, the Aegean, or Cretan-Mycenaean, culture (3-2 thousand BC), the Homeric unliterate period (11-9 centuries BC) and the archaic period (8-6 centuries BC) stand out. BC), which coincided with the colonization of the Mediterranean, Black and Marmara coasts by the Greeks. The era of classics is the peak of the heyday of ancient Greek culture. In preserving the Greek cultural heritage big role Roman culture played a role. During the Byzantine period, architecture and fine arts, as well as literature, which were predominantly religious in nature, reached their greatest flourishing.

Modern Greek literature began during the Revolutionary War. The exploits of the people are sung by A. Kalvos (1792-1869), A. Soutsos (1803-63), A. Valaoritis (1824-79). Special place occupied by the prose of Yannis Makriyannis (1797-1864), a general of the national liberation movement, who learned to write at the age of 32. The spirit of romanticism with elements of realism distinguishes the work of Dionysios Solomos (1798-1857), the head of the Ionic school, committed to folk traditions and language. Freedom-loving sentiments are also characteristic of the work of the poets of the 1st School of Athens, which was oriented towards antiquity. The vernacular language and national themes are affirmed by the founder of the 2nd School of Athens, Kostis Palamas (1859-1943). Realism in prose was developed by Emmanuel Roidis (1836-1904). The "Athenian Literary School" for the first time raised the question of choosing a modern literary language: close to ancient Greek (kafarevus) or colloquial language (dimotic). I. Psycharis (1854-1929) led the movement for the establishment of the spoken language of dimotics in art. In prose, realism with elements of everyday life is affirmed by the prose writer and playwright G. Xenopoulos (1867-1951), A. Papadiamandis (1851-1911).

Pessimism is a feature of the poetry of Konstantinos Cavafy (1863-1933), the most famous poet of modern Greek literature. Cavafy's poetry is in complete contrast to the work of Angelos Sikelianos (1884-1951), the brilliant and profound poet who brought the Delphic celebrations back to life (1927), the author of long poetic compositions, theatrical plays and literary essays. Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), Greece's most famous and translated writer. After Cavafy. His literary works include many theatrical plays, travel notes, and translations.

Greek literature enters modernism with the so-called. generation of the 1930s: Georgios Seferis (1900-71), Andreas Ambirikos (1901-75), Odysseus Elytis (1911-96), Yiannis Ritsos (1909-90).

The international recognition of Greek literature was manifested in the appropriation Nobel Prize poets Georgios Seferis (1963) and Odysseus Elytis (1979).

The fine arts of Greece developed in line with various European schools: German in the 19th century. and French modernism in the 20th century. T.N. The Munich school is the most important circle of artists: Nikolaos Gyzis (1842-1901) and Nikiforos Lytras (1832-1904). By the 1920s artists absorb experience the latest trends European art: the artist Konstantinos Parthenis (1878-1967), the sculptors Giannoulis Halepas (1851-1938) and Dimitrios Filipotis (1839-1920). K ser. 20th century In the art of Greece, various directions are defined: following the traditions of the 19th century. (A. Georgiadis), using the experience of realistic European painting of the 20th century. (Yiannis Moralis, born 1914), based on medieval examples (fresco master Fotios Kontoglou, 1895-1965), as well as a movement inspired by the motifs of ancient classics. 1960s were marked by a noticeable turn to abstract art (in painting Yiannis Spyropoulos, 1912-90). Panagiotis Tsetsis, Vlasis Kaniaris, Nikos Kessanlis, Kostas Tsoklis are some of the most famous names in modern Greek art.

The Hellenic Republic is located in. As of 2010, the country is inhabited by more than 11 million people. The area of ​​Greece is 131,900 sq. km.

The official language is Greek. The capital is Athens. The state is divided into 13 regions. According to the form of government, Greece is In addition, it is a unitary country.

Since the country is located on a peninsula, it is washed by the seas. On land it borders with 4 states.

More than 90% of the population considers themselves Orthodox. The state inherits the mentality of Ancient Greece, as a result of which its culture and geography are at their best, which contributes to the development of tourism.

The economy is developing. The GDP is about $294 billion. The national currency is the euro.

The republic became independent in 1821. At the same time, the borders of Greece were finally formed.

Greece

Greeks do not use the name "Greece" when communicating with each other. As a rule, it appears in the lexicon if there is a conversation with a foreigner. The official self-name is still considered the word “Hellas”.

The area of ​​Greece is small, but it has 52 regions. The government is elected by direct vote of the population. The constitution that is currently in force was adopted in June 1975.

The Second World War played into the hands of the republic. After its completion, the so-called Greek economic miracle happened. It was at that time that the government made every attempt to improve the state of the financial sector. After joining the Eurozone, the state increased its annual GDP growth.

The current economy is supported only by tourism and the service sector. This is the area that brings the most profit.

Population of Greece

Greece, which has a relatively high population and area overall, has poor population growth compared to other European countries. The mortality rate here is much higher than the birth rate.

There are more women in the state than men, on average by 50%. The maximum average age is 40 years.

AIDS and HIV are not very common in the republic. The incidence rate has not increased since 2001 (0.2%).

Greece (country area does not include territory sea ​​waters) is unevenly populated. More than half the population lives in cities.

The main nation that settled here is the Greeks. You can also meet Albanians. They settled in the state quite a long time ago due to attacks from the Turks and Arnauts. Slavs of Macedonian origin, Armenians, Arabs, Serbs and Jews are no less common.

Territory of Greece

20% of the entire country is occupied by adjacent islands. In total there are about 2000 of them. They themselves are divided into groups and subgroups, and that is why Greece is divided into three parts: mainland, Peloponnese and Lesvos.

The landscape of this state involves an alternation of cliffs, mountains, valleys, islands, bays and straits. Limestones are widespread here, which formed many caves and funnels. Almost the entire area of ​​Greece is occupied by mountain ranges. Basically, their peaks rarely reach 2000 m. Only a few have a height of 2500-2900 m.

Earthquakes are also common in the Hellenic Republic. The state is located in three climatic zones, which is why life in different parts of the country varies significantly.

State borders

The country borders on land with such states as Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania and Türkiye. It is washed by the Thracian, Aegean, Ionian, Cretan and Mediterranean seas. Although the borders were formally established in 1947 and have not changed since then, in ancient times there were constant discussions about them and wars were started.

Currently, the coordinates of Greece are: 39° 0’ 0" north latitude, 22° 0' 0" east longitude.

Athens - the capital of the state

As the capital, Athens is a cultural and economic center. The city is located in the central part of Greece. The name was given in honor of Athena, the goddess of war. At one time, several centuries ago, the capital developed so rapidly that it became an example for many European countries. She set many European trends.

Tourism

As already mentioned, tourism brings the greatest income to the country. More than 20 million people come here every year. This gives more than 15% internal profit. People often flock here for the culture, development, and historical sites. Beach tourism is also not far behind in terms of attendance. More than 7 million visitors were registered in Athens alone.

Although the entire area of ​​​​Greece is beautiful and unusual, the most popular destinations for travelers are Rhodes, Crete and the Peloponnese. Rhodes is pleased that the service sector is best developed here, and the country’s hospitality is shown in at its best. On Crete there is a cape from which the entire island is visible. The best beach considered a place in the Peloponnese.

Santorini and Mykonos are very popular in the world. More recently, in 2008, more than 19 million tourists were recorded here.

Over time, the total number of travelers has grown, and with it, revenue has grown ($38 billion). With the government using this money to build entertainment centers and develop the tourism sector, there is no doubt that someday this country will become a paradise and a magnet for all people on the planet.

Animal and plant life

There are few wild animals living in Greece. Populations of all species are negligible. This was the result of the fact that for more than 8 thousand years the population destroyed plants and killed animals. The most common ones here are mouse, badger, hare and porcupine.

It is not uncommon to see jackal, fox, lynx, bear and wild boar. The caretta (turtle) and the monk seal are listed in the Red Book. Birds include ducks, partridges, owls and kites. Fish is what the country can be proud of. It lives quite a lot in the waters of local rivers.

There are few plants: 5 thousand species on the entire area.

The country's culture has been formed since ancient times. The Ottoman yoke had the greatest influence on it. This country was so developed and successful in this area that even during the revolution, musicians, artists, and sculptors created masterpieces that became known throughout the world.

Also, considerable efforts were made by Christians. At this point, it can be seen that in some ways the culture of the Hellenic Republic overlaps with its religious heritage.

Philosophy, language and literature are the main areas in which the state has achieved success. For example, on Greek Now more than 15 million people from different parts of the Earth are talking. It is considered one of the most ancient and successful languages ​​in the world. Literature was divided into three eras, all of them rich in brilliant creations. And the philosophers of Greece gave the world many smart judgments and hypotheses.

Brief information about the country

Independence Date

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 uniquely beautiful 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, not every large state can compare with Greece in terms of historical, cultural, archaeological and linguistic heritage. The capital Athens is the oldest and most beautiful city in the world, a metropolis with a population of 4 million, founded approximately in the 7th millennium BC.

Video: Greece

Basic moments

Hellas - as the Greeks themselves call their homeland - is filled with various attractions, much of which dates back to ancient times. It’s not for nothing that 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 Holy Mount Athos or in rock monasteries - everywhere you will get acquainted with interesting monuments and 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!

Being recognized as the cradle of Western civilization and the place where the first democratic states in history appeared, Greece became the center of the emergence of the very concept of “democracy”. In Ancient Hellas, every adult citizen took an active part in discussing public affairs and could be elected to any administrative, military or judicial position. The traditions established in antiquity are preserved in Greek society today.

Greece also has 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 mountain slopes, or houses covered with red tiles immersed in dense greenery. And it doesn’t matter at all for what purpose the traveler sets foot on this blessed land - to study it deeply 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.

Cities of Greece

All cities in Greece

Sights of Greece

All sights of Greece

Geographical features

Greece, which is also called the land of the gods, the birthplace of philosophy and Olympic Games, has a very interesting and very advantageous geographical location. Perhaps no other European state owns so many islands - there are more than two thousand of them (although only 227 of them are inhabited). Some - for example, the famous Lesbos - 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 even be called the “inland sea” of this country, the entire coast of which is picturesquely indented by bays. Just look at the map to be convinced that no other state on the continent has similar outlines.

Mainland Greece is conventionally divided into several regions - Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly and Attica, Phthiotis, Phocis and others belonging to Central Greece. Geographically, the Ionian Islands can be classified as 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 Euripus Strait. The largest peninsula recognized as a hotspot ancient civilization on the territory of Europe is the Peloponnese. Here is the famous Corinth Canal, dug by a French company back in the 19th century.

Interesting fact: the farthest distance from the sea coast, no matter where you go in Greece, does not exceed 100 kilometers.

Natural landscape

Greek nature is distinguished by an enviable diversity, which was made possible thanks to the confluence of factors such as geographical position, features of the local climate, the presence of large mountain ranges, a long coastline.

Mountains occupy about 60% of Greece's landscape, making it one of the highest 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), which is also the most famous in ancient Greek myths as the abode of the gods, in particular, the thunderer Zeus. Other large and beautiful mountains in Greece include Ida (Psiloritis) and the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in Crete, Grammos and Smolikas in Macedonia, Taigetos in the Peloponnese, Pindos and Atamanik Ori in the Epirus region.

The water resources of Greece are represented by a collection of natural and artificial lakes, deltas and river mouths, waterfalls and lagoons. The country's largest body of water is Lake Trichonida, located in the Aetolia region in Western Greece. Lake Vouliagmeni in Attica cannot be ignored (it is famous for its thermal mineral waters), the artificial lake Tavropos in Thessaly, which is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and, of course, the highest mountain lake - Drakolimni, located on the slopes of Tymfi and Zmolikas at an altitude of 2050 meters. Of the rivers, the longest is Aliakmonas (297 km), which is inferior in length to Aheloom, Pinios, Nestos, Efros, Strymonas, Alfios, Arachthos.

The uniqueness 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. The caves will also be of interest to historians, ethnographers and cultural experts, since they are inextricably linked with the plots of ancient Greek myths. And the caves themselves are archaeological monuments 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.

The gorges or canyons with which the local landscape is literally dotted deserve special mention. They cannot fail to impress with their menacingly towering cliffs, water streams and different types birds and animals that have preferred to settle here for many centuries. 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 Pindus Mountains (Pindos) in the north-east of the Epirus district. 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 - in 1992 the authorities declared it a protected area. It is home to the endangered Mediterranean seal, Monachus monachus. The second is a national marine park on Zakynthos, one of the Ionian Islands, which received protected area status seven years later. This is where the Caretta Caretta turtle species is mainly bred.

Cities and islands of Greece

Between historical Attica and the Peloponnese, the Saronic Islands are secluded - an archipelago, which is usually chosen by those tourists who would not like to swim into the sea far from Athens. Only during the peak season the beaches here can be crowded, especially on the island of Aegina, which may not be to everyone’s liking. But there is an excellent coastline here, not to mention the fact that getting a bronze tan can be combined with visiting attractions, for example, the Temple of Aphaia, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.

The Peloponnese itself looks like something apart from the rest of Greece. In the sense that its 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, addressed his epistles to the Corinthians. Acquaintance with the sights can be perfectly combined with relaxation on local beaches, which are considered perhaps the best in all of Southern Europe.

If you haven't forgotten yet school lessons stories about the birthplace of Apollo and his sister Artemis, then we realized that our story would be about the islands of the Cyclades. Situated in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, they exude a kind of serenity and tranquility. But the Cyclades archipelago is associated primarily with the island of Mykonos, whose coastline reaches 89 km. Its hallmark is its 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 just a stone’s throw away - these are the Dodecanese islands, which are part of the Southern Sporades archipelago and stretch in a chain along the western coast of the peninsula Asia Minor, almost adjacent to the territory of a neighboring state. The islands of Rhodes and Kos are the most famous of them. Their popularity came thanks to first-class beaches and hotels and, of course, rich excursion programs - especially around 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, strive to visit the legendary island of Patmos, which is called the “Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea,” and this interest is understandable. It is here that there is a cave 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.”

Some of the most picturesque in Greece are, of course, the Ionian Islands. 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 stay and accommodation in Greece. The island of Ithaca is also well known from 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 cannot be forgotten. 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 Athos peninsula and the Holy Mountain with the same name. In the system of administrative division it is called the “Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain”. Over the centuries, nothing has changed here: women are still prohibited from setting 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, generally speaking, is mild, and this is a huge “merit” of the Mediterranean Sea, which seems to look after 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 lasts until November. Winter in the country is by no means severe. The temperature in January averages 10 degrees plus, and humidity is 75%.

Meanwhile, in Greece there are several climatic zones. In the mainland of the country, weather conditions resemble those 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 climate. Warm weather persists for a long time in Crete: on the southern coast of the largest Greek island you can swim and sunbathe from April to November.

Greece also has its own rainy season, which starts in most areas in mid-October and lasts until February. In July and August, the entire eastern coast of the mainland, including the capital, and the islands of the Aegean Sea are subject to strong north winds. On the one hand, it brings coolness that dilutes the heat, on the other, it makes ferries late and causes inconvenience to vacationers by “stealing” their beach umbrellas. As for the summer heat itself, 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, let alone make appointments.

History of Greece

The first settlements on the territory of 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, which existed in 2600-1100 BC. The classical period in the history of Greece is the so-called “Golden Age”, which covered the 6th-4th centuries BC. e. It is remarkable 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 legionaries. 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 condition, and we, contemporaries, can judge from them the great heritage of the ancient Greeks. And after the division of the huge 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 existed for eleven centuries, until on May 29, 1453 it fell under the onslaught of the Turks.

Greece itself was under Ottoman rule for almost 400 years. The national liberation struggle of the Greek people ended in 1821 with the proclamation of an independent Greek state, which a decade later became monarchical. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Greece made great efforts to return its ancestral lands that still remained under the occupation of the Ottoman Porte. Participation in the Balkan Wars of that time and the First World War helped partially realize these goals.

The country also took part in the Second World War. First it was attacked by fascist Italy, but the Greeks were able to give a worthy 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 riot broke out in the country. Civil War, which ended only in 1949.

After this, a period of calm development in Greece began, disrupted by the 1967 coup d'etat, 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 the “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 invasion of Cyprus by the Turkish army 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 Question” led to the overthrow of the dictatorship of the “black colonels” in 1974.

On December 8, 1974, a national referendum was held in Greece, as a result of which democracy was re-established in the country. political regime with a parliamentary form of government. On June 11, 1975, a new Constitution was adopted, which is in force to this day. 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, it joined 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, which we will return to later.

Let’s begin our general acquaintance with some of the country’s attractions 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. Of constant interest to travelers is the temple of one of the three Olympian gods, Poseidon, located right on the coast of the Aegean Sea, the ancient quarter of Plaka, city squares living their own special, rich life, the impressive stone theater - the Odeon of Herodotus of Athens and numerous Athenian museums.

Separately, I would like to mention the breathtaking Panathinaikos Stadium. It was created from fragments of an ancient predecessor, using only white marble. And in Athens you can see with your own eyes 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 luxurious Venetian-style castle in Rethymno, and enjoy 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 in shape - the palace of King Minos.

One of the most famous Greek islands is Rhodes, which has the reputation of being the largest center of knightly culture and a wonderful resort. His business card– 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 of a 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. Nowadays, this “house of the gods” has been turned into a unique biosphere reserve, rich various types plants and animals, and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Olympus though high mountain, but quite accessible for walking. Traveling along numerous trails, you won’t even notice how time flies.

Another famous mountain is, of course, Athos, included in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage. This unique place, revered by all Orthodox believers, is inhabited and can only be visited by men. It is dedicated to prayer, reflection and spirituality. The Holy Mountain has de facto autonomy, 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 desired, of course - every day. Such bureaucracy may turn many away from the intention of visiting 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

The national cuisine of Greece coexists perfectly with the culinary traditions of the Balkan peoples, the Apennines, France and even the Middle East. In general, this is typically Mediterranean cuisine with a touch 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 here they don’t just eat, but communicate and relax. Shared meal - great way establishing friendly connections between unfamiliar people and even business relations. Greeks discuss whatever they want 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 royal 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 freshly caught mussels cooked in tomato sauce and such exotic meat as octopus meat - it is baked over coals with the addition of herbs. The taste and aroma of the dish are such that words cannot describe it - it’s better to try it!

What are the most popular dishes in modern Greece? To name a few: squid stuffed with cheese and baked on coals (“kalamarya yemista me tiri”), steamed mussels (“midya akhnista”), grilled shrimp (“garides sharas”). One of the signature dishes of the national cuisine is spaghetti with lobster (“macoranada me astaco”). Among the traditional fish dishes familiar to Russians, in local taverns you can taste fish in all its culinary “manifestations” - fried and stewed, stuffed and pickled, dried, smoked and simply salted - with delicious local beer!

Lovers of meat food in Greece are offered a rich selection of dishes from pork, beef, poultry, and lamb. “Brizoles” and “paidakia”, grilled meat with bones and lamb ribs, respectively, always turn out very tasty and juicy. Local kebabs come in two types: small pieces of meat (“souvlaki”) and large pieces (“kondosuvli”).

It’s 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 wire rack. True gourmets will love the rooster stewed in white wine (kokoras krasatos) and the rabbit stew (kuneli). And perhaps the most famous Greek meat dish is moussaka - minced meat, potatoes and eggplant laid in layers and baked with bechamel sauce.

It is impossible to imagine Greek cuisine 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 “kefalotyri” (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,” which in its homeland is simply called “village salad,” which Russian housewives also love to prepare. “Original” differs in taste from what is served in our cafes and restaurants or prepared at home. What exactly the difference is is also difficult to convey in words: you need to feel it by trying both options. What is needed for this? That's right: come on vacation to Greece!

Language

Modern Greek (Dimotika), derived from the vernacular language used in the late antique period, became the official language of the country only in 1976. Before this, it was kafarevusa (“purified tongue”). 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 would be appreciated. If you have some time, try to learn a couple of basic phrases and the alphabet. Although signs and indexes are often presented in Latin transcription, this does not always happen; in addition, knowledge of the alphabet will allow you to navigate banks, restaurants and other establishments.

Holidays in Greece

• January 1 – New Year.
• January 6 – Epiphany.
• March 25 is Independence Day.
• May 1 – Labor Day.
• August 15 – Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
• October 28 is Okha Day, in memory of the Greek resistance to the Italian occupation of 1940.
• December 25 – Christmas.
• December 26 – Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Holidays that do not have an exact date are the First Day of Lent (Clean Monday), Holy Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, Spiritual Day.

Money

The national currency of Greece is the euro, divided into 100 eurocents. Basically, all payments are made in cash, which naturally leads to a strengthening of the shadow economy. All large quantity Hotels and restaurants in tourist areas, however, accept credit cards, but some charge an additional 3% to 5%, sometimes without even notifying you. If you have a Visa or MasterCard card, 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, for example, a long break from work during siesta, the opening hours of organizations in Greece are quite variable. Shops are usually open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from approximately 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 are sometimes open even on Sunday.

Museums and archaeological sites that can be visited are closed on Mondays, sometimes on Wednesdays, and the smallest ones are closed from November to March. Opening hours are 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 are usually open 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 to explore the world-famous sights of ancient times, but also for shopping. For those who don't already know: Greece, along with Italy, is one of the best places in Europe for shopping. Despite the difference in exchange rates, finding here, for example, a relatively inexpensive fur coat or a beautiful vase that will decorate the interior of your home, will not be difficult.

A long-tested 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 begin to reduce the price small - say, from 20-30%, but immediately indicate on the price tags: 80% discount, so queues are not uncommon at such outlets. Prepare in advance to lose some time waiting, but to leave with a good purchase.

Discounts apply not only to clothing and shoes, but also to household appliances, modern electronics, decorative items, and even good, solid furniture. True, the discount on such goods does not exceed 40% of the cost, but this is not bad. In outlets and stocks, which you should also not forget about, price tags pleasing to the eye are present at all all year round. In large shopping centers, off-season sales are common; discounts can reach 50%.

But let's get back to buying fur coats. Especially for this purpose, shopping tours are organized to Greece, which come with or without obligations. If you choose the first (that is, a tour with obligations), then the flight to the country and hotel accommodation, usually not exceeding 3-4 days, is paid by the fur factory. For ease of selection, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the assortment in advance. different manufacturers, and save photos of your favorite models. Otherwise, if you start trying on all the models in a row, you will not only waste time and get tired, but you may also end up buying something that you didn’t want, and you will regret it.

Kastoria, a city in the north-west of the country, in western Macedonia, is traditionally considered the birthplace of Greek fur products. 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 gives you the opportunity to bargain on the spot. There are usually no language barriers, since almost all sellers speak Russian.

But not everyone goes to Greece to buy clothes or household items - many would like to buy local products. In this case, welcome to Greek supermarkets: in Athens - Sklavenitis, in Crete - Ariadni, in Thessaloniki - Masoutis. Premium supermarkets AB Vasilopoulos and the German supermarket chain Lidi are also popular among tourists.

You can also shop well at markets and bazaars, of which there are a lot in the country, including flea markets. The freshest and most inexpensive goods from the food basket can be bought here: olive oil, feta cheese, local wine. The main thing is to be there before 15:00, as then the markets and bazaars close until the next day.

Note to tourists: citizens of the Russian Federation, since they are not residents of the European Union, can exercise the right to a VAT refund (Tax Free), but provided that the purchase amount is not less than 120 € and it was made at a retail outlet that participates in the system. To determine this, you just have to look closely: 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 cash register or directly at the entrance to the store. On the mainland, the 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 is 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, and there are also special night flights. The most developed in terms of transport is, of course, the capital. Car traffic in it, as well as in other cities, is chaotic, and parking problems may arise. In cities, the speed limit 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 pass is valid for 1.5 hours. There are no subways in other cities.

Greece also has a network of railways, but experienced tourists do not recommend traveling on second-class trains, since they cannot boast of cleanliness and comfort, unlike first-class trains. But regardless of the category, the train was 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 partly an island state, 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 the cars are usually located very close to each other.

Car driving

A driver's license valid in Russia will be enough to rent a car in Greece. Prices from numerous local companies are reasonable, but check the condition of the car and whether you have insurance in case of an accident. The minimum driver age is 21 years, sometimes 25 years. Driving experience must be at least one year.

The major highways are very good for motorists, and in addition, thanks to funds allocated by the EU, Greece's road network has been significantly 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 driving style of the Greeks, 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 difficult, especially in Athens, due to numerous traffic jams and one-way roads.

Communications and Internet

Mobile communications in Greece are very well developed; the network covers almost the entire territory of the country, with the exception of some small remote islands. It catches especially well in cities, and in Athens even in the metro. 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.

Leaders of the Greek market mobile communications are companies such as Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone. The first one is state-owned and its main advantage in the eyes of competitors can be considered a good level of customer service. Wind was once a monopolist in the local market and has long established itself with high quality communications. 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 unavailable.

Moral standards

Even though summer is very hot, if you are away from the beach, be sure to dress appropriately. To visit the monastery, women should wear a skirt or dress below the knee and a headscarf, and 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 issues

Check your restaurant bill: in the most touristy places it may increase by one additional dish or drink... Also pay attention to the prices on the windows: these sometimes refer to takeaway sales and can double if you eat on site. Finally, if you choose to pay with a credit card, make sure that the tip (3-5%) is not taken without your consent. As a rule, any misunderstanding can be easily resolved if you just stay alert and remember to call the tourist police, who specialize in resolving this type of problem.

Safety

Greece, even if one wants to, cannot be classified, like, for example, Iceland or Sweden, among the safest countries on the continent for tourists. Unfortunately, petty thefts are common here, especially in crowded places: near hotels, airports, train stations, and near attractions. Pickpockets also operate in public transport. In Athens, as in any big city, there are their own dangerous areas, these are Kolokotroni and Vathi squares and the red light district in the vicinity of Omonia Square.

Women especially should beware of... obsessive suitors or “kamaki” (from the Greek “kamakis” - “harpooner”). These are, as a rule, good-looking men, radiating charm and temperament, who very persistently seek the favor of lonely foreign tourists. Their ultimate goal is to “hook” a rich companion for a while, and if they’re lucky, for the whole season. Nice ladies are also not recommended to get into cars with unfamiliar men or walk at night, as there is a risk of becoming victims of rape.

The Greeks spend their hot southern temperament not only searching for love affairs, but also participating in all kinds of protests and strikes. And although the “righteous anger” of demonstrators is usually not directed at people, it is better not to go out into the street during a rally. To disperse protesters, the police 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 also, even if the 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 crush.

In addition to the human factor, natural factors also pose a certain danger. Both mainland Greece and its islands fall under the definition of seismic zones, which means there is a high probability of earthquakes. Tremors with high amplitude, fortunately, do not happen so often, but small vibrations earth's crust- a common occurrence. Don't forget about the risk of forest fires caused by hot climates. In these cases, you should call directly the fire department at 199 or the rescue service at 112.

Hotels and accommodation in Greece

Both on the mainland and on the islands, hotels for every taste and budget are available to tourists. In Greece, in addition to the traditional classification by the number of stars, a letter system is also used to designate the class of the hotel. 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 a kind of “anomaly” often occurs: in E-class hotels the level of service is higher than in hotels designated C.

Be prepared to run into room shortages, especially on the most popular Greek islands. The rush here is a common occurrence, especially on weekends and holidays, when local residents join foreigners on vacation. To avoid tourist crowds, book your apartment in advance. So, using the Booking.com service, you can find great options accommodation in Greece with discounts up to 60%.

Most local hotels are locally owned, but major international chains such as Best Western and Hilton are also present in Greece. You can also rent a top-class room in local chain hotels, such as 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 (pensions), which most fully convey the spirit of the local way of life and the 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 range 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 birthplace of democracy, you can also stay in monasteries, but the rules for staying in them may not seem so democratic. For example, if you are looking for an overnight stay with a companion of the opposite sex, you will be refused. In addition, you need to dress in accordance with generally accepted standards of decency, otherwise they won’t accept you either. And if you are moved in, you will have to observe a “curfew”: you are not allowed to return to the monastery - for example, after an excursion - later than expected.

), and charter.

During the peak tourist season, that is, in the summer, flights to Greece are carried out, among other things, from Russian cities such as Krasnodar, Kazan and Perm.

To stay in the country, Russians need a foreign passport with a Schengen visa.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets

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Greece, which is called the cradle of European culture, is located in the south of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Relatively small in area, the country has an invaluable historical and cultural heritage.

Geographical characteristics

The capital of Greece is Athens, it is one of the oldest cities in the world, but the youngest European capital, since Athens acquired capital status only in the mid-19th century.

Greece is a republic. The northern border of Greece runs with Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria, in the east the state borders with Turkey.

According to the characteristics of natural conditions, the country can be divided into 8 regions:

1. Northern Greece (subtropics),
2. Thessaly (a region combining mountains and plains),
3. Western Greece (most mountainous area),
4. Ionian Islands (subtropics with fertile lands),
5. Central Greece (the driest part of the country, hot and low-water),
6. Southern Greece (mildest climate),
7. Crete (a touristically attractive area with a comfortable climate, clean bays and beaches),
8. Islands of the Aegean Sea (more rocky and less fertile than the islands in the Ionian Sea).

Nature

The country's terrain is defined as mountainous, since plateaus, rocks and mountain ranges occupy up to 80% of the country's territory. The mountains are mostly of medium altitude, not exceeding 1800 meters. The east of the country is dominated by plains. The large and ancient Pindus mountain system runs through the central part.

The height of the famous Mount Olympus is 2917 meters, it is part of the Pindian system. Competing in height with Olympus is the no less famous Parnassus (2457 meters).

The Pindus Mountains continue in the Peloponnese in the form of ridges and capes. The eastern coast is heavily lined with rocks...

The western part of Greece is wetter - there are more permanent rivers here than in the east. In the east of the country, where the rivers are mostly fed by snow, the rivers often dry up in the summer.

The rivers of Greece are few in number: natural conditions predetermined that the narrow peninsula, heavily indented by rocks, could not form large river systems. Therefore, Greek rivers are mostly short, swift, originating in the mountains and rushing to the sea along wedge-shaped valleys.

The Greek river with the longest length is Aliakmon (the length is 300 meters and the river is entirely within the country). Rivers that originate in other countries also flow through the territory of Greece: Moritsa, Nestos, Strymon, Vardar.

The Aheloos and Tnyos rivers, flowing along the western edge of the country, are the deepest. In summer, they do not dry out, as happens with eastern rivers.

There are more than 20 large lakes in Greece. Areas of more than 90 sq. km reach Trichonis and Volvi, and Lake Prespa, with an area of ​​more than 280 sq. km, with only one edge it invades Greece, occupying the territories of two more countries.

Small Greek lakes, such as Ioannina, are karst - the most ancient in origin. They are fed by groundwater...

Greece is washed by several seas - the Mediterranean, Ionian, Aegean and Libyan. The largest of them is the Mediterranean, and locals consider all other seas to be part of the Mediterranean.

The Aegean washes Greece on the right, the Ionian - the left, and the Cretan - the southern coast. The Aegean Sea is the largest, northernmost and coldest of the three smaller seas. There are many small archipelagos in the sea, since the eastern part of the peninsula was once dry land, but over time it sank and flooded. The Aegean Sea is very clean and transparent, the water has a turquoise tint.

The Ionian Sea washes the peninsula from Corfu to Zakynthos. This is the deepest and saltiest of the Greek seas.

The Cretan Sea is located north of the island of Crete, it is famous for its gentle slopes into the water, clean, smooth beaches, cozy bays, where comfortable resort towns are located one after another...

There is almost no natural vegetation left in the country, although extensive Greek forests were once reported, today almost exterminated. The same fate befell representatives of the animal world - today it is poor in large mammals - deer, wild boars, mountain goats and bears.

In the forests on the border with Bulgaria there are also bears, wolves, wild cats, foxes, lynxes, jackals, martens, and rabbits.

In the coastal part of the country there are many animals that are now endangered - the Mediterranean sea turtle and the endemic monk seal.

Natural in a hot climate is the diversity of turtles, lizards and snakes - grass snakes and vipers, which easily adapt to the lack of moisture. Common land lizards include Greek land lizards, endemic rock lizards, as well as Peloponnesian, Ionian and green lizards.

Partridges and hoopoes live in the mountains, and kingfishers are considered a decoration of the forests. The world of birds of prey is diverse - owls, kites, vultures, falcons.

On the island of Crete there are more than 100 species of shellfish, more than 70 of which are found only on this island and nowhere else in the world...

The climate of the small country is heterogeneous, it is strongly influenced by the mountains - only on the plains and near the sea the climate is comfortable, Mediterranean subtropical. Winters are mild, summers are hot and dry.

In the mountains there is more humidity and more precipitation, while temperatures are significantly lower and there is a possibility of snow falling. The western part of the country has a milder climate than the eastern part due to the influence of western currents. East End drier.

July and August are dry, when temperatures reach 45 degrees Celsius. High temperatures promote the ripening of grapes, peaches, figs, and pomegranates. In October the rains come, dragging on for a whole period, but after the autumn rains a semblance of spring comes again - the meadows turn green, the rivers collect water...

Resources

Greece has few useful natural resources - brown coal, lignite, minor gas and oil reserves, iron, nickel, manganese ores. There are reserves of silver and copper.

There are abundant reserves of limestone, sandstone, granite, and marble - all of this is successfully exported as valuable building materials.

Animal husbandry and agriculture have a very small share in the country's industry - most residents who breed animals or are engaged in agriculture do this for their personal plots. Greek animals are not exported - goats, sheep, horses are raised here, but all this is what is called “for oneself”.

Soils in Greece require constant irrigation, so important agricultural crops are not produced here either. Important export products from Greece are tomatoes, olives, sugar beets, and potatoes. They produce and import legumes, corn...

Culture

The familiar word “Greek,” which today denotes nationality, previously referred to Greek colonists in Southern Italy, and the Greeks themselves called themselves Hellenes.

The vast majority of the population of modern Greece - 96% - are Greeks; they speak only Greek, but most also speak English. Among the population there are shares of Turks, Macedonians, Bulgarians, and Albanians. Most Greeks are Orthodox Christians...

Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula and nearby islands. It borders with many countries and republics, for example: Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Republic of Macedonia. The expanses of Greece are washed by the Aegean, Thracian, Ionian, Mediterranean and Cretan seas.

The word "Greek" appeared during the Roman Empire. This was the name given to the Greek colonists of Southern Italy. Later they began to call all the inhabitants of Greece, at that time - Hellenes. Until the Middle Ages, the Greeks lived according to their own rules and principles, having a great influence on the development of European culture. But with the resettlement of Vlachs, Slavs, and Albanians, their lives changed somewhat.

Peoples inhabiting Greece

Today Greece is an ethnically homogeneous country - residents speak common language, but also speak English. In terms of the number of people living in the country, Greece ranks 74th in the world. As for faith, almost all Greeks profess Orthodoxy.

The most populated cities in Greece are: Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos and Heraklion. There are plenty of mountainous and hilly areas in these cities, but people prefer to live on the coast.

The mixing of blood began at the beginning of our era. In the 6th-7th centuries. n. e. The Slavs occupied most of the Greek territories, from that moment on, they became part of the Greek people.

In the Middle Ages, Greece was invaded by Albanians. Despite the fact that Greece at that moment was subject to Ottoman Turkey, the influence of this people on the ethnic component was small.

And in the middle of the 20th century. Greece was overrun by Turks, Macedonians, Bulgarians, Gypsies and Armenians.

A huge number of Greeks live abroad, but folk Greek communities still exist. They are located in Istanbul and Alexandria.

It should be noted that today 96% of the population of Greece are Greeks. Only on the borders can you meet representatives of other peoples - Slavic, Wallachian, Turkish and Albanian populations.

Culture and life of the peoples of Greece

Greek culture and life were influenced by many factors, but there are things that have remained unchanged since the times of Ancient Greece.

The houses of Ancient Greece were divided into male and female halves. The women's part was accessible only to close relatives, and the men's part contained living rooms.

The Greeks never attached much importance to clothing. She was always simple and unsightly. Only on holidays can you wear a festive suit, decorated with patterns or made from noble fabric.

(Greeks at the table)

From time immemorial, the Greeks have been very hospitable people. They were always happy to have unexpected guests and unfamiliar travelers. As in the times of Ancient Greece, it is now not customary to sit at the table alone, so people invite each other for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Greeks love children very much and spend a lot of effort and time on raising them, giving them a good education and make them physically strong.

As for family relationships, the man is the breadwinner, and the wife is the homemaker. In Ancient Greece, it did not matter whether there were slaves in the family, the woman still took part in household chores.

(Greek grandma)

But modern conditions make their contribution to the life of the Greeks. And yet, they try to honor culture, observe religious traditions and, if possible, wear national clothes. In the ordinary world, these are ordinary European people wearing business suits or professional uniform.

Even though the people of Greece listen to Western music, watch box-office movies and live like many others, they still manage to adhere to their culture. Every evening, celebrations with wine and national songs take place on the streets and in taverns.

Traditions and customs of the peoples of Greece

Each nationality has its own customs and traditions. The Greeks are no exception. It’s worth starting with the fact that in Greece 12 holidays are celebrated annually at the state level.

One of these holidays is Greek Easter. On this day people organize large-scale celebrations. Independence Day and the Annunciation are accompanied by military parades in all cities of Greece. The Rockwave rock festival has also become a Greek tradition. World rock bands come to this country to give street concerts. The Wine and Moon Festivals that take place in the summer are worth visiting.

Most of the customs are, of course, related to religion. For example, if a Greek is sick or needs God's help, he makes a vow that he will thank the saint.

There is also a custom of offering saints a small model of what they asked to be protected from evil or preserved - photographs or drawings of cars, houses of loved ones, etc.

Every city, region, and town in Greece has its own traditions and customs. They are very similar to each other. But the main thing is that every resident of this country considers it necessary and correct to observe them.