Greece

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, in the southernmost part of Europe, in the far south of the Balcan peninsula, with usually warm and mild weather conditions, Greece is a small country that has been inhabited since antiquity and is rich in history while its versatile nature attracts many tourists throughout the year.

Climate of Greece
The country is mountainous with Mount Olympus being its highest peak at an altitude of 2,920 metres approximately, also having the world's deepest canyon in proportion to its width, Vikos Gorge in Epirus (northern Greece) and Mount Pindos reaching a height of 2,635 metres, being a mountain chain of the Alps. So, Greece's climate is diverse and changes from Alpine to a mild Mediterranean and to very mild in the southern parts. Temperature can get as low as -25°Celsius (in Thrace mainly) and as high as 48°Celsius (usually in Thessaly).

Demographics
With a population is approximately 11 million, almost 5 of which live in the capital and its surroundings, Greece is overpopulated only in Attica (prefecture with Athens as its capital), while no other city exceeds 1.5 million inhabitants.

Geography
Greece consists of 8 districts, each having several prefectures. In alphabetical order they are:
Aegean islands (including Crete)
Central Greece (Sterea Ellada)
Epirus
Ionian islands
Macedonia
Peloponnese
Thessaly
Thrace

Greece is almost entirely surrounded by sea and has something like 1400 islands and islets, only 230 of which are inhabited. The biggest islands are Crete and Evia, while the Cyclades are one of the most widely known tourist attractions worldwide.

Facts
Athens is the capital of Greece and, together with its suburbs, it gathers approximately 45% of its population. Having all the problems of a modern city like traffic, pollution and noise, Athens is the place to visit when travelling in Greece due to its rich historical background, its museums and monuments but also its nightlife and beautiful surroundings.

Currency: euro
Religion: christians (orthodox)
Language: Greek
International dialing code: +30


Cuisine
Many articles have been written of what has been known as Mediterranean Diet, based in lots of vegetables, olive oil and legumes. The diet also includes fresh fish and meat but in smaller quantities. Everything is either cooked or baked, not fried.

Wine is widely produced in Greece and consumed by the vast majority of the inhabitants. Other very common and widely known local drinks are ouzo, tsipouro and tsikoudia. In various areas there is a local production (in small quantities) of liqueurs and beverages, mainly for in-house consumption.

Apart from the Mediterranean Diet, the Greek Cuisine includes many tasty snacks (mezedes), well known to tourists and cooked in Greek restaurants all over the world, such as:
Tzatziki
Tirokafteri (spicy cheese salad)
Several cheese and vegetable pies
Cheese balls
Meat balls
Grilled octopus

and various famous dishes such as:
Moussakas
Stifado
Souvlaki

Economy and Tourism
Until a few years ago, the country's economy was based in agriculture and farming. However, its major source of income is now tourism.

Greece is developing its infrastructure to provide the best possible service to its visitors. That includes constructing new airports and ports, or even reconstructing already existing airports and ports to accept heavier traffic. New airlines can now transfer passengers from one island to another using sea planes.

Accommodation to be found varies from small family hotels to luxury hotels and spa resorts. Among the most tourist areas of Greece are Athens (its capital), Santorini and Mykonos, both in Cyclades, Rhodes in the Dodecannese, Crete island and Zakynthos and Kefalonia in the Ionian islands.

Charters from various european countries land directly to most of the above tourist places, transfering thousands of tourists each year. Cruise Holidays is another preferred way of travelling in Greece, allowing passengers to get to know many islands and coastlines in very few days. This can also be achieved when sailing, although weather conditions can get pretty rough and experience is required, especially when sailing the Aegean Sea. Many companies have recently been created that rent sailing boats to their clients, with or without a captain.

Best time to visit Greece varies, depending on the type of holiday desired. he islands are at their peak during July and August. Tourist season starts as early as late April and ends late October, depending on the island.