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About Greece

{{Infobox Country|native_name = Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Ellīnikī́ Dīmokratía|conventional_long_name = Hellenic Republic|common_name = Greece|image_flag = Flag of Greece.svg|image_coat = COA of Greece.svg|symbol_type = National emblem|image_coat_caption = National emblem|image_map = Location Greece EU Europe.png|national_motto = ([transliteration])"Freedom or Death"]|official_languages = [Greek language]|demonym = [Greeks]|capital = [Athensary [republic|leader_name1 = [Karolos Papoulias|leader_name2 = [Kostas Karamanlis|leader_name3 = [Dimitris Sioufas]|sovereignty_type = Formation|established_event1 = First known Greek civilizations1|established_date1 = [Circa]3000 BC|established_event2 = Last previously independent state²|established_date2 = 1461|established_event3 = Independence fromthe [Ottoman Empire [1821 [1829], at the [London Protocol]|accessionEUdate = [January 1] [1981-->|percent_water = 0.8669|population_estimate = 11,170,957 |population_estimate_rank = 74th|population_estimate_year = 2007|population_census = 10,964,020 |population_census_year = 2001|population_density_km2 = 84|population_density_sq_mi = 218 ]391.395 [1000000000 (number)] |GDP_PPP_rank = 30th|GDP_PPP_year = 2007 [International Monetary Fund]|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $35,167|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 18th|GDP_nominal = $356.258 billion|GDP_nominal_rank = 27th|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 [International Monetary Fund]|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $32,010|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 25th|HDI = 0.921|HDI_rank = 24th|HDI_year = 2004|HDI_category = high|Gini = 35.44|Gini_year = 2000|Gini_category = low|currency = [Euro] ([Euro sign])³|currency_code = EUR|country_code =|time_zone = [Eastern European Time]|utc_offset = +2|time_zone_DST = [EEST5|calling_code = 30|footnote1 = [Minoan] and [Cycladic] civilizations.].|footnote3 = Prior to 2001: [Drachma].|footnote4 = UNU/Wider World Income Inequality Database.|footnote5 = The [.eu] domain is also used, as it is shared with other [European Union] member states.-->

Greece ( or Ελλάς ), officially the Hellenic Republic (Greek: Ελληνική Δημοκρατία ), is a [country] in Southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the [Balkans]. It borders [Albania], the [former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] and [Bulgaria] to the north, and [Turkey] to the east. The [Aegean Sea] lies to the east and south of mainland Greece, while the [Ionian Sea] lies to the west. Both parts of the Eastern [Mediterranean Sea] basin feature a vast number of [Greek islands].

Greece lies at the juncture of [Europe], [Asia], and [Africa]. It is heir to the heritages of [Ancient Greece], the [Byzantine Empire],Sir Steven Runciman, The Fall of Constantinople and nearly four centuries of [Ottoman Empire] rule."Greece." [Encyclopædia Britannica]. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 6 Sept. 2006 . Regarded as the cradle of [western world] and the birthplace of [democracy],Finley, M. I. Democracy Ancient and Modern. 2d ed., 1985. London: Hogarth. Western [philosophy], History of Philosophy, Volume 1 by Frederick Copleston the [Olympic Games], [western literature], [political science], major scientific principles and [drama]Brockett, Oscar G. History of the Theatre. sixth ed., 1991. Boston; London: Allyn and Bacon. including both [tragedy] and [comedy], Greece has a particularly long and eventful history and a cultural heritage considerably influential in [Northern Africa] and the [Middle East], and fundamentally formative for the culture of [Europe] and what may be called the West.

Modern Greece is a [developed country], a member of the [European Union] since 1981, a member of the [Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union] since 2001, [NATO] since 1952, the [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] since 1961, the [Western European Union] since 1995, and [European Space Agency] since 2005. [Athens] is the capital; [Thessaloniki], [Patras], [Heraklion], [Volos] and [Larissa] are some of the country's other major cities.

History Antiquity in [Athens].

The shores of Greece's [Aegean Sea] saw the emergence of the first advanced civilizations in Europe whose impact is inseparable from today's western institutions and western cultural and political development. In the wake of the [Minoan] and [Mycenae] civilizations, there emerged across the Greek peninsula and islands poleis, or city-states, each with their own distinct social and governmental infrastructure, uniting under [Athens] and [Sparta] to repel [Persians] advance. The conditions had been created for the flowering of Athens and birth of [Classical antiquity] civilization, drawing to a close only with the culmination of the perennial conflict between Athens and Sparta, the [Peloponnesian War]. Within a century the Greek tribes had been united under the rule of [Alexander the Great] to roll back [Persians] gains and herald the [Hellenistic] era, itself brought only partially to a close with the establishment of [Roman Republic] rule in 146 BC.

Although the establishment of Roman rule did not break the continuity of Hellenistic society and culture, which remained essentially unchanged until the advent of [Christianity], it marked the end of Greek political independence. Rome enthusiastically took up Hellenic culture and it thus became a major influence throughout the empire. The Greek peninsula became a province of [Roman Empire], while Greek language and culture continued to dominate the eastern [Mediterranean Sea].

Byzantine Era Emperor [John II Comnenus]. Mosaic in the [Hagia Sophia], [Istanbul] ([Constantinople]).

When the [Roman Empire] finally split in two, during the late third century, the [Eastern Roman Empire] centered around [Constantinople] (known previously as Byzantium, today [Istanbul], Turkey), remained Hellenistic in nature, and came to be known as the "Empire of the Greeks" or "Greece" to its western European contemporaries. The eleventh and twelfth centuries are said to have been the Golden Age of Byzantine art in Greece, while the crusading epochs between 1204 and 1458 saw Greece hit by a series of non-Orthodox armies such as [The Great Company] in the name of religion. The Greek-Byzantine states persisted, nevertheless, and were centered in the Greek peninsula. The Latin clashes of the 13th century gave birth to a form of modern Greek proto-nationalism in [Byzantine Empire], and Constantinople was consciously an ethnic Greek city when it fell on [May 29], [1453].S. Runciman, The fall of Constantinople

Ottoman Era While the [Ottomans] were completing the main conquest of the Greek mainland, two Greek migrations occurred. The first saw the Greek intelligentsia migrate to [Western Europe] (especially to [Italy]) and was a significant factor in the advent of the [Renaissance]. The second migration of Greeks left the plains of the Greek peninsula and resettled in the mountains, the islands of the Aegean and other Greek regions where the Ottomans were unable to create a permanent military and administrative presence. As a result, some Greek mountain clans across the peninsula, as well as some islands, were able to maintain a status of independence. The [Millet (Ottoman Empire)] system contributed to the ethnic cohesion of Orthodox Greeks by segregating the various peoples within the [Ottoman Empire] based on religion. Eventually, religion played an integral part in the formation of modern Greek and other post-Ottoman national identities.

Establishment of the modern Greek state

In March 1821, the Greeks [Greek War of Independence] against the Ottoman Empire. Their struggle lasted until 1829, when the independence of the nascent Greek state was finally recognised under the [London Protocol], although the Ottomans delayed recognition until the [Treaty of Constantinople (1832)] of 1832. In 1827, the Russian ex-minister of foreign affairs, [Ioannis Kapodistrias] (Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας), a noble Greek from the [Ionian Islands], was chosen as the governor of the new Republic. However, the [Great Powers] soon dissolved that republic and installed a [Kingdom of Greece].

The first king, [Otto of Greece], was of the Bavarian [House of Wittelsbach]. The War of Independence also set in motion the establishment of major new cities and centres of trade such as [Hermoupolis], Athens and Pireaus. In 1843 King Otto was forced, as a result of an uprising, to grant his subjects a constitution and a representative assembly. He was deposed in 1863 and replaced by Prince Vilhelm (William) of Denmark, of the [House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg] line of the [House of Oldenburg], who took the name [George I of Greece] and brought with him the [Ionian Islands] as a coronation gift from [United Kingdom]. On 29 March 1864, the Treaty of London pledged the transfer of sovereignty to Greece upon ratification. Thus, on May 28, by proclamation of the Lord High Commissioner, the Ionian Islands were united with Greece.

, convening as Prime Minister [Charilaos Trikoupis] gives a speech, during the late nineteenth century.

Greece was growing economically, whilst becoming politically more liberal. In 1877, Prime Minister [Charilaos Trikoupis] curbed the power of the monarchy to interfere in the Assembly. This period was punctuated by the undertaking of one of the largest construction initiatives on the European continent, one of significant commercial importance; the creation of the [Corinth Canal], lasting from 1881 to 1893. In 1896 the [Olympic Games] were revived in [1896 Olympic Games], and hailed as a success.

Territorial expansion and internal turmoil As a result of the [Balkan Wars], [Crete], [Chios], [Samos], most of [Epirus (region)] and southern [Macedonia (region)], including [Thessaloniki], were incorporated into Greece. [George I of Greece], monarch for five decades, was assassinated in Thessaloniki in 1913; he was succeeded by his eldest son, [Constantine I of Greece]. His struggle with Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos over Greece's entry into the [First World War] resulted in Greece's joining the [Triple Entente] against Germany and Austria and the later abdication of King Constantine in favour of his son, [Alexander of Macedon], but left Greece divided into two bitterly hostile political camps for decades (see [National Schism]). At that time, a part of [Asia Minor] centered around the city of [Smyrna] (known today as [İzmir]) still retained a large Greek population. The area was awarded to Greece by the Great Powers as a reward for having sided with the entente powers in [World War I] against the Ottoman Empire. Three years later, Turkish nationalists led by [Mustafa Kemal Atatürk] denounced the Sultan's government in [Istanbul] and formed a new one in [Ankara], eventually re-establishing control over Asia Minor ([Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)]).

Following the withdrawal of Greek forces, the destruction of Smyrna and the displacement of thousands of Greeks from the city, a new government was established in Greece. Soon afterwards, the [Treaty of Lausanne] was signed, fixing the Greco-Turkish borders to this date. A population exchange was included in the agreement and immediately afterwards around five hundred thousand Muslims, then living in mainland Greece went to Turkey in exchange for more than 1.22 million Greek residents of Asia Minor (excluding [Constantinople], [Imvros] and [Tenedos]). From 1924 a succession of unstable governments continued until 1935, when a referendum was held, resulting in an overwhelming majority in favour of restoring the [monarchy] in the person of [George II of Greece]. In 1936, General [Ioannis Metaxas] established an authoritarian conservative [dictatorship] in Greece, known as the [4th of August Regime].

Greece during World War II (1940-1944) (left), with King [George II of Greece], Crown Prince [Paul of Greece] and Commander-in-Chief General [Alexander Papagos].

In the early hours of [October 28], [1940], [Italy] dictator [Mussolini] demanded that Greece surrender all its arms and allow the [Axis powers of World War II] troops to invade the country; the administration then gave what became known as the simple negative response of “No” (see [Okhi Day]), thereby siding with the [Allies of World War II]. Italian troops immediately began [Greco-Italian War] the country from southern [Albania]. However, they were checked by the significantly smaller Greek Army, signalling the Allies' first major victory on land against the Axis powers. A prolonged period of fierce fighting in the [Pindus] mountains followed, in which Mussolini's forces were successfully pushed back. [Hitler] and his generals realized that their strategic southern flank needed to be secured more effectively so German forces, whose ranks included troops from [Bulgaria] and [Italy], invaded.

The [Battle of Greece] began on [April 6], [1941] and led to the complete [Axis Occupation of Greece] of the country. [Greek Resistance] to the occupation was fierce, often with bitter retaliation from the occupiers. The Greek resistance in 1940-41 however, is believed to have forced a delay in German plans to initiate [Operation Barbarossa], thereby extending the campaign into the punishing Russian winter. Meanwhile the extremely heavy losses suffered by German paratroop forces (5000) in the [Battle of Crete] foiled a planned German campaign in the [Middle East] against British-held Iraq and its oil fields. Germany retained its disastrous grip on the country until [October 12], [1944] when its troops finally withdrew after the landing of Allied Forces in Athens. The Jewish communities of Greece, especially of Thessaloniki, suffered the heaviest toll in the [Holocaust], ca. 300,000 Greeks died of famine and the country's economy languished.

Post-war era (1944-1966) [1973]: An [AMX 30] tank standing in front of the Athens Polytechnic School, moments before the bloody end to the [Athens Polytechnic Uprising]. [1974]: [Konstantinos Karamanlis] arrives in Athens on the French Presidential jet, courtesy of French President [Valéry Giscard d'Estaing], to assume the leadership of government of national unity that would lead to free elections. He is greeted by jubilant crowds of supporters craving for the restoration of democratic rule.

After liberation from [Nazi Germany], Greece experienced an equally bitter [Greek Civil War], caused by differences that emerged between communist and non-communist resistance forces. Civil war began between the communist [Democratic Army of Greece] and the elected government which had the support of the [Hellenic Army] and lasted until 1949, when communist partisans were defeated in the Battle of Grammos-Vitsi. During the 1950s and 1960s, Greece experienced a gradual and significant economic growth, also aided by grants and loans by the [United States] through the [Marshall Plan].

Regime of the Colonels (1967-1974) In 1965, a period of political turbulence and uncertainty began which led to a coup d’etat against the elected government and [Constantine II of Greece] on [April 21], [1967]. In their place, a US-supported [military junta], known as the [Greek military junta of 1967-1974], was established under [Colonel] [George Papadopoulos]. In the ensuing years, a number of citizens opposed to the regime, from all shades of the political spectrum, were arrested and in some cases tortured by the members of the regime. Many politicians evaded capture and found political refuge elsewhere in Europe, such as [France] and [Sweden]. The then head of state, King Constantine, had officially acknowledged the new regime, which was then duly recognized by the international community, so diplomatic relations continued. However, the King subsequently attempted a failed counter-coup in December 1967, after which the former head of state went into exile in Rome. In [1973] Papadopoulos launched a failed attempt to liberalize, under the premiership of [Spiros Markezinis]. In November 1973 the [Athens Polytechnic Uprising] sent shockwaves across the regime, and a counter-coup by junta hardliner [Brigadier] [Dimitrios Ioannides] prolonged the junta until [July 20], [1974]. On that day, [Turkey] invaded the predominately Greek island of [Cyprus], allegedly to protect the island's Turkish minority from a junta-sponsored coup d'etat. The developing crisis led to the collapse of the Regime of the Colonels on [July 23], [1974].

Modern Era (1975-present) Ex-Premier Constantine Karamanlis was immediately invited back from Paris, where he had resided since 1963. Marking the beginning of the [Metapolitefsi] era of modern Greek history, the plane carrying Constantine Karamanlis landed in [Athens] in the early hours of [July 24], amidst massive celebrations and enormous crowds, extending from the capital's [Ellinikon International Airport] to [Syntagma Square]; Karamanlis was immediately appointed as the interim prime minister under President Gizikis and founded the conservative [New Democracy (Greece)] party, going on to win the ensuing elections by a large margin. Democratic rule was finally restored in its birthplace and a democratic republican constitution activated in 1975. The monarchy was abolished by a referendum held that same year, denying King Constantine II and his family any access to the country until 2004. Meanwhile, another prominent figure of the past, Andreas Papandreou, had also returned from the United States and had already founded the Panhellenic Socialist Party, or [PASOK].

hosted the [2004 Olympic Games].

Karamanlis won the 1977 parliamentary elections but resigned in 1980 giving way to [George Rallis]. Papandreou, however, won the elections held on [October 18], [1981] by a landslide and formed the first [socialist] government in Greece's history. Papandreou dominated the Greek political stage for almost 15 years (excepted only by the 1990-1993 period when [Constantine Mitsotakis] of the [New Democracy (Greece)] party won elections), until his death in [June 23], [1996]. By that time [Kostas Simitis], one of many prominent political figures of PASOK, had already succeeded the ailing and hospitalized Papandreou as the new Prime Minister. Following a long period of diplomatic tension and the threat of a military confrontation (see [Imia-Kardak crisis]), relations with neighbouring Turkey have improved substantially over the last decade, since successive earthquakes hit both nations in the summer of 1999. Rapprochement came about through what became known as [Greek-Turkish earthquake diplomacy] and today Greece is an active supporter of Turkey's effort to be accepted by the European Union as a full member, under the assumption that it addresses humanitarian issues. Prime Minister Simitis remained in office until [March 7], [2004] when Kostas Karamanlis of the conservative [New Democracy (Greece)] party and a nephew of [Constantine Karamanlis], won the parliamentary elections. Greece became the tenth member of the [European Union] on [January 1] [1981] and ever since the nation has experienced a remarkable and sustained economic growth. Widespread investments in industrial enterprises and heavy infrastructure, as well as funds from the European Union and growing revenues from tourism, shipping and a fast growing service sector have raised the country's standard of living to unprecedented levels. The country adopted the [Euro] in 2001 and successfully organised the [2004 Olympic Games] in [Athens].

Government and politics , the current [Prime Minister of Greece].

Greece is a [parliamentary democracy]. The Constitution of Greece: Article 1 The [head of state] is the [President of Greece], who is elected by the [Hellenic Parliament] for a five-year term. The Constitution of Greece: Article 30 After the [Greek Constitutional amendment of 1986] the President's duties were curtailed to a significant extent, and they are now largely ceremonial.K. Mavrias, Constitutional Law, 477-478

The current [Constitution of Greece] was drawn up and adopted by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes and entered into force in 1975 after the fall of the [Greek military junta of 1967-1974]. It has been revised twice since, in 1986 and in [Greek Constitutional amendment of 2001]. The Constitution, which consists of 120 articles, provides for a [separation of powers] into [executive branch], [legislative branch], and [judicial branch]es, and grants extensive specific guarantees (further reinforced in 2001) of [civil liberties] and [social rights].P.D. Dagtoglou, Individual Rights, I, 21
* E. Venizelos, The "Acquis" of the Constitutional Revision, 131-132, 165-172

According to the Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic and the [Cabinet of Greece]; The Constitution of Greece: Article 26 after 1986, however, the role of the President in the executive branch is ceremonial. The position of [Prime Minister of Greece], Greece's [head of government], belongs to the [List of Prime Ministers of Greece] of the [List of political parties in Greece] that can obtain the confidence of a plurality in the Parliament. The President of the Republic formally appoints the Prime Minister and, on his recommendation, appoints and dismisses the other members of the Cabinet. The Constitution of Greece: Article 37 The Prime Minister exercises vast political power, and the amendment of 1986 further strengthened his position to the detriment of the President of the Republic.K. Mavrias, Constitutional Law, 477-478, 486-487

Legislative power is exercised by a 300-member [unicameralism]. The Constitution of Greece: Articles 51, 53 Statutes passed by the Parliament are promulgated by the President of the Republic. The Constitution of Greece: Article 42 Parliamentary elections are held every four years, but the President of the Republic is obliged to dissolve the Parliament earlier on the proposal of the Cabinet, in view of dealing with a national issue of exceptional importance. The Constitution of Greece: Article 41 The President is also obliged to dissolve the Parliament earlier, if the opposition manages to pass a [motion of no confidence]. The Constitution of Greece: Article 84

The [Judicial system of Greece] is independent of the executive and the legislature and comprises three Supreme Courts: the [Court of Cassation (Greece)] (Άρειος Πάγος), the [Council of State (Greece)] (Συμβούλιο της Επικρατείας) and the [Chamber of Accounts (Greece)] (Ελεγκτικό Συνέδριο). The Judiciary system is also composed of civil courts, which judge civil and penal cases and administrative courts, which judge administrative cases, namely disputes between the citizens and the State.

Since the restoration of democracy the party system is dominated by the liberal-conservative [New Democracy (Greece)] and the socialist [Panhellenic Socialist Movement] (PASOK). Non-negligible parties include the [Communist Party of Greece], the [Coalition of the Radical Left] and the [Popular Orthodox Rally].

On [March 7], [2004], [Kostas Karamanlis], president of the New Democracy party and nephew of the late [Constantine Karamanlis] was elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece, thus marking his party's first electoral victory in nearly eleven years. Karamanlis took over government from [Kostas Simitis] of PASOK, who had been in office since January 1996, replacing the ailing [Andreas Papandreou] who died on [June 23], [1996]. Kostas Karamanlis won a second term on [September 16], [2007], however his party acquired a slimmer majority in the [Greek Parliament] gaining only 152 out of 300 seats.

Peripheries and prefectures Administratively, Greece consists of fourteen peripheries subdivided into a total of fifty-four prefectures (, singular ). There is also one [autonomous area], [Mount Athos] (, "Holy Mountain"), which borders the periphery of [Central Macedonia].

{] !!width="140px"| [Peripheries of Greece] !!width="80px"| [Capital] !!width="80px"] !!width="80px"| [Population] ] || [Athens] ] || [Lamia (city)] || style="text-align:right"|15,549 km²|| style="text-align:right"|614,614|-| 3 || [Central Macedonia] ] ||style="text-align:right"|18,811 km²|| style="text-align:right"|1,931,870|-| 4 || [Crete] ] || style="text-align:right"|6,336 km²|| style="text-align:right"|623,666|-| 5 || [East Macedonia and Thrace] ] || style="text-align:right"|14,157 km²|| style="text-align:right"|623,248|-| 6 || [Epirus (periphery)] || [Ioannina] ] || [Corfu (city)] || style="text-align:right"|2,307 km²|| style="text-align:right"|220,097|-| 8 || [North Aegean] ] || style="text-align:right"|3,836 km²|| style="text-align:right"|208,151|-| 9 || [Peloponnese (periphery)] || [Tripoli, Greece] || style="text-align:right"|15,490 km²|| style="text-align:right"| 650,310|-| 10 || [South Aegean] ] || style="text-align:right"|5,286 km²|| style="text-align:right"|320,001|-| 11 || [Thessaly] ] || style="text-align:right"|14.037 km²|| style="text-align:right"|760,714|-| 12 || [West Greece] ] || style="text-align:right"|11,350 km²|| style="text-align:right"|753,267|-| 13 || [West Macedonia] ] || style="text-align:right"|9,451 km²|| style="text-align:right"|303,857|-| - || [Mount Athos] (Autonomous) ] || style="text-align:right"|390 km²|| style="text-align:right"|2,250|}

Geography {| border=0 align=right cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 0px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 100%;"|[Albania][F.Y.R.O.M.][Bulgaria]'[Turkey][Greece[Athens[Thessaloniki][Kavala]---[Thasos][Alexandroupoli]--[Samothrace][Corfu][Igoumenitsa][Larissa][Volos][Ioannina][Chalcis][Patras][Corinth][Corinth][Nafplion][Nafplion][Sparta][Sparta][Areopoli][Areopoli][Piraeus][Eleusina][Laurium][Heraklion][Macedonia (Greece)][Western Thrace][Epirus (periphery)][Thessaly][Central Greece][Peloponnese][Mount Olympus (Mountain)][Lefkada][Kefalonia][Zakynthos]-[Lemnos][Lesbos Island][Chios][Samos Island][Andros][Tinos][Mykonos][Icaria]--[Patmos][Naxos (island)][Milos][Santorini]---[Kos][Rhodes][Karpathos][Kassos][Kythira][Gavdos][Aegean Sea][Aegean Sea][Sea of Crete][Myrtoan Sea][Myrtoan Sea][Ionian Sea][Ionian Sea][Mediterranean Sea][Mediterranean Sea][Crete][Aegean Islands][Aegean Islands][Cyclades][Dodecanese][Ionian Islands]|}

Greece consists of a mountainous and craggy mainland jutting out into the sea at the southern end of the [Balkans], the [Peloponnese] peninsula (separated from the mainland by the canal of the [Isthmus of Corinth]), and [Greek islands] (around 2,000), including [Crete], [Euboea], [Lesbos Island], [Chios], the [Dodecanese] and the [Cyclades] groups of the [Aegean Sea] as well as the [Ionian Sea] islands. Greece has the [List of countries by length of coastline] in the world with 14,880 km; its land boundary is 1,160 km (721 mi).

Four-fifths of Greece consist of mountains or hills, making the country one of the most mountainous in Europe. Western Greece contains a number of lakes and wetlands and it is dominated by the [Pindus] mountain range. Pindus has a maximum elevation of 2,636 metres (8,648 ft) and it is essentially a prolongation of the [Dinaric Alps].

The range continues through the western [Peloponnese], crosses the islands of [Kythera] and Antikythera and find its way into southwestern Aegean, in the island of [Crete] where it eventually ends. (the islands of the Aegean are peaks of underwater mountains that once constituted an extension of the mainland). Pindus is characterized by its high, steep peaks, often dissected by numerous canyons and a variety of other karstic landscapes. Most notably, the impressive [Meteora] formation consisting of high, steep boulders provides a breathtaking experience for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the area each year. Special lifts transfer visitors to the scenic monasteries that lie on top of those rocks.

formation in central Greece. (2917 m/9570 ft) from the town of [Litochoro].

Meteora is situated in the [Trikala] prefecture. The Vikos-Aoos Gorge is yet another spectacular formation. The Vikos-Aoos Gorge is a popular hotspot for those fond of extreme sports. [Mount Olympus (Mountain)] is the highest mountain in the country, located in the southwestern [Pieria] prefecture, near [Thessaloniki]. Mytikas in the Olympus range has a height of 2,920 m (9,570 ft) at its highest peak. Once considered the throne of the Gods, it is today extremely popular among hikers and climbers who deem its height as a challenge. Moreover, northeastern Greece features yet another high altitude mountain range, the Rhodope range, spreading across the periphery of [East Macedonia and Thrace]; this area is covered with vast, thick, ancient forests. The famous Dadia forest is in the prefecture of [Evros], in the far northeast of the country.

Expansive plains are primarily located in the prefectures of [Thessaly], [Central Macedonia] and [Western Thrace]. They constitute key economic regions as they are among the few arable places in the country. [Volos] and [Larissa] are the two largest cities of Thessaly. Rare marine species such as the Pinniped Seals and the [Loggerhead Sea Turtle] live in the seas surrounding mainland Greece, while its dense forests are home to the endangered [brown bear], the [lynx], the [Roe Deer] and the Wild Goat.

Climate (Beach of [Porto Katsiki], [Lefkada]).

The climate of Greece can be categorised into three types that influence well-defined regions of its territory. The Pindus mountain range strongly affects the climate of the country by making the western side of it (areas prone to the south-westerlies) wetter on average than the areas lying to the east of it ([lee side] of the mountains). The three distinct types are the Mediterranean, the Alpine and the Temperate types. The first one features mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The Cyclades, the Dodecanese, Crete, Eastern Peloponessus and parts of the Sterea Ellada region are mostly affected by this particular type. Temperatures rarely reach extreme values although snowfalls do occur occasionally even in the Cyclades or the Dodecanese during the winter months.

The Alpine type is dominant mainly in the mountainous areas of Northwestern Greece ([Epirus (periphery)], [Central Greece], [Thessaly], [Western Macedonia]) as well as in the central parts of [Peloponnese], including the prefectures of [Achaia], [Arcadia] and parts of [Laconia], where extensions of the Pindus mountain range pass by). Finally, the Temperate type affects [Central Macedonia] and [East Macedonia and Thrace]; it features cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers. Athens is located in a transitional area featuring both the Mediterranean and the Temperate types. It averages about 16 inches of rain annually. The city's northern suburbs are dominated by the temperate type while the downtown area and the southern suburbs enjoy a typical Mediterranean type.

Economy in commemoration of the [2004 Olympic Games].

Greece operates a [capitalist] economy that produced a GDP of $305.595 billion in 2006. The principal economic activities mainly include the tourism and shipping industries, banking and finance, manufacturing and construction and telecommunications. The country serves as the regional business hub for many of the world's largest multinational companies.

The people of Greece enjoy a high standard of living. Greece ranks 24th in the 2006 [Human Development Index], 22nd on [The Economist]'s 2005 world-wide quality-of-life index, and it has an average per capita income that has been estimated at $33,004 for the year 2006, higher than that of Germany, France and Italy.

Greece's present prosperity is largely owed to the post-World War II "[Greek economic miracle]" (when GDP growth averaged 7% between 1950 and 1973), the implementation of a number of structural and fiscal reforms, combined with considerable European Union funding over the last twenty-five years and increasing private consumption. The latter facts have contributed to a consistent annual growth of the Greek GDP that was surpassing the respective one of most other [EU] partners. http://www.elke.gr/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=765

Today, the [Services] (74.4%) makes up the largest, most vital and fastest-growing sector of the Greek economy, followed by industry (20.6%) and agriculture (5.1%). The tourism industry is a major source of foreign exchange earnings and revenue accounting for 15% of Greece’s total GDP and employing (directly or indirectly) 659,719 people (or 16.5% of total employment). In 2005, Greece welcomed almost 18 million visitors and in 2006 that figure almost reached 20 million.

The Greek banking & finance sector is also an important source of revenue and employment and Greek banks have invested heavily in the Balkan region. The manufacturing sector accounts for about 13% of GDP with the food industry leading in growth, profit and export potential.

High-technology equipment production, especially for telecommunications, is also a fast-growing sector. Other important areas include textiles, building materials, machinery, transport equipment, and electrical appliances. Construction (10%GDP) and agricInformation Reference: Wikipedia.org

Greece

Questions and Answers

Greece - US Embassy Bombing....What do you think of Greece - is it a haven for Terror suspects ?

Q) Greece - I love it ..especially Santorini... but is Greece the new Somalia..?

A) Lovely place...lovely people. Lousy sanitation. As far as terrorism goes I don't think it's any worse than here in the UK.

GReece and TuRkey?

Q) now in turkish tv and in greek tv have a reality show.it's name is "survivor".in the contest there are two teams greece and turkey.i watched it and i saw that turkey against greece,greece against turkey.greek people are a little bit more polite than turkish in the contest.everyone know both of the countries don't like the other too much.what do you think about this contest?some people say it is for peace but i don't believe it.why do they want to start enmity again?

A) It's one of the most stupid shows I've ever seen. I think it's all fake. It's just stupid. It's not for peace, its just making people hate each other. It should be banned. I just saw it once, and it was enough.

GREECE the champions of Europe... Italy the Champions of the world IMPRESSIVE !!!!!!?

Q) Greece, the champions of Europe. That is IMPRESSIVE ! Italy the champions of the World -even more impressive ! Absolutely amazing... So no doubt we shall see Italy proving over and over again that they deserved to win the Cup and that there was no orchestration (fiddle) in the WC (once again) -You see, the Greeks since winning their Euro Cup have shown us over and over again that they deservedly won the Euro 2004 !!!! They have shown us, haven't they ? No, they haven't justified their Euro cup win at all ! So where is the skill that kocked out one othe best teams in the WORLD, Portugal IN PORTUGAL ? They beat Portugal TWICE in the same Euro 2004 ! And yet they have done nothing ever since !! LET'S SEE HOW FAIR ITALY WON THE W/CUP -I say Italy will not do anything particular spectacular from now on, JUST LIKE GREECE DIDN'T. I say that neither Italy nor Greece should have won those cups and they did simply because of high levORCHESTRATION during those championships. Agree ? Disagree "Azzurri italia" - don't hate me. I consider the Italy heroes when they were cheated in the past by referees so many times and they still won Euro Italy-v-Holland remember ? Italy took the chance offered to them in the WC, they did NOT cheat !!! The plan was to make France champions but you guys spoilt their plans to my satisfaction, so to speak. Neither are Greece guilty of fiddle. The FIFA system is. But the result is that Italy are WC and Greece ar EC... but I am sorry, Argentina were cheated out and so were Portugal !!! Yu know something ? My point is that The WC and EC are Mickey Mouse championships, LOLOL !!! "Azzurri italia" -- Italy may have won the WC 4x in the past but if a country like Portugal, which is not a world economic power is NEVER allowed to win what they deserve.... you will continue to win it instead... trust me, Azzuri, this is a Mickey Mouse WC and EC... really !!! Sorry if the truth spoils the party... I have been screaming that WCs are mickey mouse since May and once again it has proved to be the same thing AGAIN !!! Politics spoil sport... (no pun intended LOL !!

A) I agree. I'm not impressed with either teams. And yes, Italy and Greece will not do well in Euro 2008.

Greece 1 Turkey 4 in Greece?

Q) Why Turkey never lost aganist last European champion Greece,

A) Turkey earned a great victory in Athens. Regardless the European CHampions fell for a number of reasons. Primarily the coach is to blame because he used older, more experienced players (from Euro 2004) to play it safe. It worked for the first 10 minutes, then they fell back and decided to play a more defensive role and against an attacking team like Turkey you cant survive 80+ minutes with pure defense. Good job Turkey! But Greece still are European Champions and we all know they can do better. They have the players, especially young guys like Gekas, Samaras, Salpingidis, and Torrosidis. USE THEM AND TAKE OUT NIKOPOLIDIS!

ZANTE, Greece?

Q) I am off to Zante in Greece in July. I havent been to Greece before can anyone rate the island? i am hoping it has good night life with nice beaches. ????

A) Hello! I am from Zante or Zakynthos, as we pronounce it in Greece. I don't know where are you going to stay, but in my opinion Zakynthos is a beautiful island. I will make you a list with the most beautiful beaches, so you can visit: Porto Banana (sandy), Porto Vromi (sandy), Makrys Gialos (rocks and caves, that you can swim in), Gherakas (sandy), Dafne (sandy), Limnionas (sand and rocks). Take a boat and go to Marathonissi. It' s the turtle island, but you will not see any turtles, because they can't take the light and they always come out at night! Go to see the beach and swim, where the shipwreck happened. The water is perfect there. Other things to do: Listen to kantades (traditional songs) at the taverna (restaurant) "Arekia" in the city of Zakynthos. Not to lose, even though you will not understand the lyrics. You will find it. Everybody knows it. If you go swimming at Makrys Gialos, go to eat at Spyro's tavern. I guarantee!!! Visit the church of Santa Mavra, because it's one of the very few buildings left as it was before the 1953 earthquakes. If you have a car, I advise you to go everywhere but Laganas. North, South, West and East. Very beautiful are the villages of Vassilikos, Katastari, Maxerado, Kiliomeno. You could try: ladotiti, which is a kind of cheese, they produce and honey. For night life prefer Argasi. It's an area with many clubs and bars, that Greeks attend. Don't go to Laganas. It's like the worst part of America. Only some bars, which are situated on the beach are really good. If you hear something about "varkarolles", try to go. It' s serenades that happen in a boat in the sea under the moonlight. You also have to visit Bohali and the hill of Stranis, very close to the city. Our national poet Dionisios Solomos wrote the national anthem there. If you go to Bohali, sit at "Lattas" for coffee and sweet, and especially "frigania". It's a traditional sweet and they make it very good. For more information, you can contact me. I wish you a wonderful vacation!

Do I need to register/incorporate a company in Greece to export from Greece?How do I find olive oil suppliers?

Q) I want to export mainly agricultural products eg. olive oil, olives, feta cheese, fruits etc, from Greece. Does the destination country matter? Where does the Greek government come in when it comes to exporting from Greece? Which laws (codes, acts), regulations, regulate exporting in greece? Do I need a lawyer to export from Greece?

A) Join my small business group!

Paphos Cyprus to Athens, Greece?

Q) Hello, I'm going to Paphos in Cyprus and from there I need to get to Athens in Greece, does anyone know if there is a ferry between Paphos and greece, or any way I could get there cheap?

A) no, there is no ferry you will have to fly to Athens cheap flights by Aegean Airlines from 29CyP plus tax abot 1hour 20 min 6 flights a day

why greece doesnt charge for every word and letter other countries use?

Q) the music industry charges royalties for every song and cd we buy, what if greece starts charging for every word or every letter that all countries use every day every second,but its theirs(greek origin, greek source)?how many millions of billions of billions of pounds we owe them?simple maths tells me infinite!!!e.g Britain has aprox 51800 exact words and another 500000 altered words sourcing from greek language and greek literature!!imagine 50 pence for every time each citizen of all countries use each word??to start paying back dated as well back to the start of their language?do the maths. unimaginable money, who is going to be the super power then? USA?hahahaha Britain? hahhahahahahahah? France? Germany? i cant write anymore cause i cant stop laughing!! the thieves of the worlds became super powers?hahahhahah, OMG give me your opinion or should i say gnome?oops here's 50 pence to pay!!or is it more cause i used some more above?we owe tothe greeks alot

A) very interesting

Rhodes Greece?

Q) Me and my fiance are off to Rhodes in greece next weekend, we are very close to rhodes old town and new town. can anybody please recommend any good lively clubs/bars?

A) It is known that i am from Rhodes, and i always give information about my island. Rhodes has a great history, byzantine, ancient, and modern. Dont miss the old medieval city, with the knoghts castle, and the Aquarium. As I see you are interesting to the night life, so without second thought i would suggest you the old town..Certainly faliraki has the most intensive night life...It is full of bars, and full of tourists, it is without doubt the most crazy lets say entertainment.Lindos also, oyu ll be amazed not only of its beauty,but also from its night life... For more information about Rhodes, you can contact me

Cost of Ferries from Greece to Italy?

Q) Does anybody know the cost of ferries from Greece to Italy? WIll be going mid May. travelling my the seat of my pants so dont know what port to leave Greece from (considering I will be travelling both mainland and the islands) and what port to arrive at in Southern Italy. Any advice?

A) patra-brindisi is around 40 euros a little north to angona is 60 or 80 it depends what class you travel..

Greece!!!!?

Q) Everyone tells me that Greece and specially its islands are great for vacation. And i believe it worths going there for vacations. Do you Agree ? Which place of Greece to go ? Greece now. I am in thessaloniki!!!! Great city. And the white tower is magnificent !!!More US people should come here !!!! God Bless

A) Yes, my friend! In greek schools learning two foreign languages is mandatory. Tourism business revenue is 18% of our national income. So we are well educated, especially young people, about how to treat tourists and travellers. In Greece there are many beutiful places to visit and for all salaries. Mountains, lakes, forests, rivers, wonderful beaches. And all natural sights. (if u know Austria's artificial lakes you get what i mean) A trip to Greece can include trekking, hiking, biking, rafting, surfing, scuba-diving, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, entertaining urself- dancing in great nightclubs and beach-bars, (remember beach-bars! all day dancing and swimming and relaxing among pretty people in their bathing suits) flirting, relaxing in spa facilities or natural resorts, and of course eating and drinking the best quality food! The best thng here is food! Keep im mind to have enough money to dedicate for good food. It would be a shame to come here and eat fast-food, although even our local fast-food places rock! You'll get to see what mediterannean cuisine is. Salads with excellent vegetables, cheese -feta- and extra olive oil. Fresh fish and seafood, special roasts and a great variety of sweets.If you like sweets you will find the best patisserie stores in Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. Try mousaka, gemista, souvlaki, tzatziki, greek salad, baklava, ouzo and loads of other good stuff. Oh i forgot our great wine variety..Check this site which has a summary and tips about travelling in Greece. this is the map:http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/europe/greece/greece.htm http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/greece/ My best wishes and prepare yourself that if you come once you'll like it so much that all other places will be nothing compared to your experience in greece.

Greece...!!!?

Q) opinions about my country...

A) I'm going there on holiday so I'll tell you in the summer!

Ancient Greece?

Q) Can you check my essay? Ancient Greece Ancient Greece can be found at Europe. Greece’s neighbors are Rome, Egypt and Turkey. Most of the Greece are mountain and hills. Greek fancy sports also they started the Olympics. Greece has a lot of God and Goddesses, like Zeus, Poseidon, Gaea, and Uranus. Greece is the most mountainous country in Europe. The mainland of ancient Greece is Peloponnesus peninsula. 80% of Greece has mountains or hills. The climate in Greece was hot and dry and it rain limited. That’s why it makes ancient Greece bad for agriculture. But on the west of Greece has lakes and wetlands. Greece has one of the largest canyon in the world, Meteora and Vikos Canyon. Greek adores sports. They also start the Olympic. The games began with a sacrifice to the god Zeus. Every four years the Olympic games was held in the stadium at Olympia. Only men can compete on this game. They play the games as part of a religious life. Since the game is a religious, if someone cheated they cant play anymore, because cheating is consider for disrespecting Gods. The three games they play at Olympics are Boxing, weightlifting, and the pentathlon. The winners received a wreath of olive leaves to wear on their heads. Ancient Greece believed at God and Goddesses. Zeus, Poseidon and Uranus are some of the Gods and Gaea is one of the Goddesses. Zeus is the God of the thunder. His father was Cronus. His brothers were Poseidon and Hades. His spouse is Hera. Zeus weapon is thunderbolt, which he hurls at those who displease him. He also punish those who lies. Poseidon is Zeus’s brother. He is the God of the Sea. He married Amphitrite. His weapon is a trident, which she ca n shake the Earth. He’s also greedy. Gaea is the Goddesses of Earth. Her son is Uranus. The other God was Uranus. He is the God of the Sky. He is the son and husband of Gaea. He died because of the wounds or he withdrew to Earth. Overall, Greece is a hot and dry country. That makes Greece a bad for agriculture. Also most of Greece are mountains and hills. Olympics was considered as part of a religious life. Only men can play at the Olympics. Greek believed at the God and Goddesses. Zeus is the God of the Thunder, Poseidon is the God of the Sea, Gaea is the God of the Earth and Uranus is the God of the Sky.

A) I'm assuming here that English is not your first language! The biggest problems I found were entirely too many repetitions AND bad tenses. If this needs to be a certain number of words, you need to find more information, not keep repeating the same information (you repeated the same set of facts three times!). Hope this helps you out! Ancient Greece Ancient Greece can be found in Europe. Greece's neighbors are Italy, Egypt and Turkey (note: those are the current neighbors. Only Egypt was around with ancient Greece. Italy and Turkey are somewhat modern countries). Greece is the most mountainous country in Europe. The mainland of ancient Greece is Peloponnese peninsula. Eighty percent of Greece has mountains or hills. The climate in Greece was hot and dry and with limited rain. That's why it made ancient Greece bad for agriculture. But in the western part of Greece there are lakes and wetlands. Greece also has one of the largest canyons in the world, Meteora and Vikos Canyon. The Greeks adore sports; they even started the Olympics. The games began with a sacrifice to the god Zeus. Every four years the Olympic games were held in the stadium at Olympia. Only men could compete. They played the games as part of a religious life. Since the game is religious, if someone cheated they could not participate any more, because cheating was considered disrespecting the gods. The three games they played at the Olympics were boxing, weightlifting, and the pentathlon. The winners received a wreath of olive leaves to wear on their heads. The ancient Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses. Zeus, Poseidon and Uranus are some of the gods and Gaea is one of the goddesses. Zeus is the god of the thunder. His father was Cronus. His brothers were Poseidon and Hades. His spouse was Hera. Zeus' weapon was thunderbolt, which he hurled at those who displeased him. He also punished those who lied. Poseidon was Zeus's brother. He was the god of the Sea. He married Amphitrite. His weapon was a trident, which with he could shake the Earth. He was also greedy. Gaea was the goddesses of Earth. Her son was Uranus. He was the god of the sky. He was the son and husband of Gaea. He died because of the wounds and he withdrew to Earth. Overall, Greece is a hot and dry country. That makes Greece a bad for agriculture. Also most of Greece are mountains and hills. The Olympics were considered as part of a religious life. Only men could. The Greek believed in many gods and goddesses.

Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Greece. Help??

Q) How do people in greece fell about family? How do you introduce people in greece? What is one thing you should never do with your hand? why? What are two common dining tips(etiquette)? Are they usually on time in greece? is being late acceptable?

A) 1- We love and respect our family (parents and relatives)and even if we have differences, when someone from outside of family offends us, we unite and support each other 2-it is polite to introduce the person you are with when someone else comes. we don't have a special way to do so!it only takes 3 sec to say his / her name to the others :) 3-never never never open your palm (showing the inside part of your palm - with fingers wide open) to a person! it is an awful thing to do! it is like telling him "you are worthless" 4-as for dining tips, never start eating before the host! moreover, when it is time to drink (yeah during dinner we do that) lift your glass to air and say "stin ygeia mas" it is like "cheers" 5-no people are usually a little bit late! well sometimes it is traffic jam that is responsible for the delay, bus didn't come on time, or sometimes it is just an accident that happened, etc! but we don't like people being late! no! better be on time! you ll probable have to wait (we have some problems with appointments!) but it is the right thing to do! I hope I helped! Regrds from Greece!

Why is Greece Stealing the Macedonian History?

Q) read more: http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/GreeceStealingMacedonianHistory.html Historian and Professor Eugene Borza who is credited as "Macedonian specialist" by the American Philological Association, and who have done extensive studies regarding the ethnicity of the ancient Macedonians, had also presented in-depth analysis on the modern Greek position which claims that the ancient Macedonians "were Greek". In his In the Shadow of Olympus (p.91-92) Borza writes: "Thus, long before there was a sufficient ancient evidence to argue about the ethnic identity--as revealed by language--of the ancient Macedonians, there emerged a "Greek" position claiming that the Macedonian language was Greek, and that thus the inhabitants were Greek." The modern Greeks have therefore, developed a position that the Macedonians were Greek, long before there was sufficient ancient evidence to argue about their ethnicity. Yet although modern historiography had long abandoned this prematurely established "Greek" position, modern Greeks are still its most zealous defenders despite the overwhelming evidence available today, which overwhelmingly shows that the Macedonians were not Greeks but a distinct nation. Borza continues: "For example, recent work describes the funerary stelae found in the tumulus covering the royal tombs at Vergina. These stelae date from the fourth and early third centuries, and the preponderance of names are Greek… The excavator of Vergina, Manolis Andronikos, in a useful summary of the epigraphic evidence, writes: "In the most unambivalent way this evidence confirms the opinion of those historians who maintain that the Macedonians were a Greek tribe, like all the others who lived on Greek territory, and shows that the theory that they were of Illyrian or Thracian descent and were hellenized by Philip and Alexander rests on no objective criteria." Manolis Andronikos Vergina:The Royal Tombs, 83-85." Here is Borza’s answer to the Greek archeologist Manolis Andronikos: "This argument is true enough only as far as it goes. It neglects that the hellenization of the Macedonians might have occurred earlier then the age of Philip and Alexander, and can not therefore serve as a means of proving the Macedonians were a Greek tribe." Indeed, not only Andronakis was obviously wrong to conclude that the Macedonians were Greek, but also notice how the Greek archeologist does not point that the Macedonians might have been a separate nation. Instead he prefers to call it if not Greek, either Illyrian or Thracian, two ancient nations that can not be associated with the Balkans politics surrounding Greece, resulted from the 1913 partition of Macedonia (see below). Also notice how Andronikos used the term "like all the others who lived on Greek territory". It’s like he wants to convince the reader that Macedonia has always been a "Greek territory", which is exactly what he uses as a base for his inaccurate conclusion. Another Greek writer, Michael Sakellariou, in his Macedonia 4000 years of Greek History, 44-63 (quite questionable of accuracy title to begin with), "proves" that the "Macedonians were Greek" although he purposely avoided all evidence that does not suit such conclusion. Borza has a line for him as well: "It is indicative of the strength of Badian’s case that his critics have succeeded only in nit-picking: e.g., Sakellariou, Macedonia, 534-35 nn. 52.53" (Borza, In the Shadow of Olympus p.96.) Borza is talking about Ernst Badian from Harvard University who in his extensive research Greeks and Macedonians presented all evidence and soundly concluded that the Macedonians were distinct nation from the Greeks, which neither considered themselves to be Greeks nor were considered by the Greeks to be Greek. That is precisely what the Greek writer Sakellariou had completely and purposely avoided, and lacking any base for a well-balanced criticism, choused instead to nit-pick Badian's argument. We can see a trend among the Greek scholars (Andronicos, Martis, Daskalakis, Kallaris, and Sakellariou) who desperately want to show the world that the Macedonians "were Greeks", though unsuccessfully. Martis' Falsification of Macedonian History was handed out to the foreign journalists in Greece and translated into many languages. Sakellariou’s Macedonia 4000 years of Greek History was even donated for free to the libraries throughout the United States. This exposes a well-developed propaganda strategy, to influence all those unaware that the "Macedonians were Greek." Yet the Greeks are showing the world that the "Macedonians were Greek" by avoiding all ancient and modern evidence that does not suit their purpose, and in that process they try to pass books so full of historical errors and distortions: "The fullest statement of the "Greek" position, and also the most detailed study of the Macedonian language, is by Kallaris, Les anciens Macidoniens, esp. 2: 488-531, in which alleged Greek elements in the Macedonian language are examined exhaustively. A more chauvinistic (and less persuasive) point of view can be found in Daskalakis, Hellenism, esp. pts. 2. and 3. The most blatant account is that of Martis (The Falsification of Macedonian History). This book, written by a former Minister for Northern Greece, is an polemical anti-Yugoslav tract so full of historical errors and distortions that the prize awarded it by the Academy of Athens serves only to reduce confidence in the scientific judgment of that venerable society of scholars. The most sensible and scholarly Greek position is that laid out by Sakellariou, in Macedonia, 44-63. Lest it seem, however, that the "Greek" position is held only by modem Greeks" - (Borza, In the Shadow of Olympus p.91) It is ironical that the book of the former Greek politician Nicolas Martis is named The Falsification of Macedonian History, when in fact he is the one who is falsifying the history of Macedonia with his historical errors and distortions. It is worrisome that the students of the countries who have nothing to do with the modern Greek politics, must be exposed to the Greek historical fabrications against one of the most dynamic powers of the ancient times - the Macedonians. But why is Greece doing this, what is behind it, why do they steal the history of the ancient Macedonians, and attempt to appropriate it as theirs? The answer lays in the year of 1913 when Macedonia was partitioned after the Balkan wars and Greece swallowed the biggest part - 51%. There was nothing in Macedonia then that connected that land with Greece, apart from the small 10% Greek minority scattered in southern Macedonia among the overwhelming majority of Macedonians who lived throughout the country (for complete statistical evidence see the "Macedonian-Greek Conflict"). Since in 1913 it acquired foreign territory populated by non-Greeks, Greece had to provide a link that would justify its claim on that half of Macedonia. That is exactly why the Greeks claim that the ancient Macedonians "were Greek", so that if in ancient times there was a Greek tribe (Macedonians) living in Macedonia, then that land therefore is Greek (just like Andronikos points above). What is not disputable however, is that since 1913 till today, the modern Greek state continues to oppress the ethnic Macedonians who now find themselves living in Greece (see Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International evidenced in the "Macedonians in Greece"). The other northern part of Macedonia, today’s Republic of Macedonia, broke out of Yugoslavia and became independent in 1991. That brought addition fuel to the Greek nationalists who are afraid now that one part of the ethnic Macedonian nation is independent, the partition of 1913 can be seen as illegal, which could lead to eventual loss of their Greek Macedonian part and subsequent reunification of one Macedonia. That is exactly why they claim that there is no modern Macedonian nation, not in Greece not anywhere, and continue to deny the basic human rights of their Macedonian minority through politics filled with paranoia, politics which without the revision of the ancient history could not breathe. read more: http://www.historyofmacedonia.org

A) I will simply answer you: Because they occupied big part of Macedonia, near 51%. How menu Greeks took Macedonians houses and lends, from Macedonians who was killed and banished from own home, how many Macedonians children were around The World without parents? Greeks with our stolen Macedonia are more richer, Athens grow up more, because this facts they pay too much for sites on Internet, they have even Terrorist organization against Macedonia, they pay for change History, but God is Truth, Truth come not easily,but surely, don't worry. Read the book "Macedonia is everything what we have", you will see that Mr Kiro Gligorov simply say Macedonia, not Slavs Macedonia or FYROM. Macedonians everything did and do to have god relations with neighbors, we give compromise and say OK, but nothing, Alexander Macedonian respected Greeks but did they respected him? NO. And now they say Alexander was Greek?! They say for Aegean Macedonia :Real, Yes that is part of Real Macedonia. Whole Macedonia is Real. I don't need sites for this question. Greeks always post spam, but I answer same in different way, for Greeks is very easily that copy paste, but we don't reported that case, we always have respected our neighbors.

Travelling to Greece?

Q) My daughter (South African citizen) currently stays in London on 2 year travel/work visa. Had a dream holiday planned to go to France (3 days) then Greece (7 days) and a day trip to Turkey. Visas for France (single entry) and Turkey came through but the one for Greece was issued for 4 days only, and for totally incorrect dates! She only found this out on Friday and was too late to visit the Greek Embassy - and Embassy closed at 13:00. The travel agent says that there's nothing she can do - she's going to lose the money she had already paid for the trip. She's due to leave for France on Sunday (25th June) and return on Wed 28th June and was due to leave for Greece on the evening of 28 June. Surely this is not how Greece treats its tourists? Is there anything that she can do when she's back in London on Wednesday? She could forfeit her trip to France and hope to sort out the Greece visa but then she may lose out on both trips.

A) I will try to explain the better I can. France and Greece are EU members and are part of the Schengen treaty. That means that theoreticaly these two countries do not have internal boarders. The flight from France to Greece is considered domestic not international. Your daughter will enter with her French visa France and then she is in the Schengen zone. Her trip to Greece does not require a second visa. It is like she did not enter France but a counrty called "Schengen-land" or something. Part of this make belief country is Greece. I really can not understand what really happened. For some years now there is no French or Greek visa. There is only one, the Schengen visa. You apply for this visa to the Embassy that belongs to the country that you will make your first entry. These visas are approved, if I am not wrong in Belgium. The system will have picked up that someone has applied for two visas. Tell her to look at the visas. If the dates on the French visa covers the duration of her trip in Greece then she is fine and she can do both trips. If not she has to go back to the French embassy and ask for an extension. She should also check which country did she declared as the first entry country. This is really important. It would also be a good idea to go directly from France to Greece and not back to London. Getting back in the UK makes things more complicated. Probably she did not state that she will go back to London and the system considered that she will be inside the zone for the whole time. Also she applied for a single entry and that means single entry to the Schengen zone. She should also check the duration of the visa. Travel visa for Schengen countries is 3 months. There is chance that the French issued a visa for a smaller period than three months and the Greek just put an extension to cover the three months.Maybe that is the reason that the dates are wrong. You should understand not Greece or France are issuing these visas but the Schengen authorities. The countries have nothing to do with that. If still she does not feel safe, when she enters Greece she can always ask the authorities there. I am sure that they will give her a small extension. When she will be leaving the country they may ask her why she stayed for a longer period but since she will be leaving the Schengen zone they will not have a problem. It is only three days and they will not care. She can also show the British visa. This will make things much easier. UK is not in the Schengen coutries but is an EU member and the whole situation will look totaly different since she has a visa from a EU country and she will be in an EU country. I do not believe that there is time to make many corrections. I understand that she will go back to the UK and leave immidiately for Greece. The best solution is to go directly from France to Greece.

been to greece??

Q) from your past experience, how was your trip to greece? to their islands? which ones were the best? which ones are to avoid? most of all, was it ever safe? or did you ever feel a little uncomfortable at certain places in greece? the reason im asking is because this week my bf came up with the wild idea of taking off to greece (im currently living in italy) this thursday with only 2 backpacks and leave by boat, from italy to greece. get there, rent a little 'motorino' and take off to athens, then from there go from island to island, no reservations, nothing, no plans ahead, just on the road for a week. sounds like a fun, but it gets me kinda worried, what if we never find a hotel to stay for one night? what if all of them are booked? have people done this before? can you actually sleep on the beach? is it safe in general? here in italy its safe, its only UNsafe to be pickpocked, is it the same in greece? any info at all would help, thanks!!

A) The main places to visit in Greece is the city of Athens (and Thessaloniki if you can) and some islands. You have to surf in the internet for pictures of greek islands and find which is more interesting for you to visit. The most famous is Rodos, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Creta, Paros, Hydra, Lesbos. I suggest you to search for pictures because they have different architerture and you better choose your style. My choises are corfu and santorini. If you will go from italy with ship, you better book to stop in corfu (wich is in your way) stay there for a day or two. The town of corfu is the main attraction. Then take another ship to Pereus or wherever you want to go in greece. about secutity, criminality is similar with italy, mostly imigrants like albanians commit crimes. also you have to be carefull with the taxi drivers because they may charge more (report them to the police). in the islands is not dangerous to camp at the beach but you never know, you better check for campings and hostels since you are a backpaker. in every city there is an office of the greek organization of tourism, they will give you all the information you need, I think that they are open from moring until afternoon on weekdays (not 24/7) greece is less expensive than italy but you have to compare prices of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas because at this time of the year they may charge more. the best think to eat (cheap) is souvlaki and giros (since you are in greece) there are many kinds of other take away too. ps. don't drink tub water

Greece?? PLEASE ANSWER ASAP!!?

Q) I am doing a project on different countries.. we have to create a poster board and do all this other stuff its really hard. its due like next month but i need to get a head start.intelligent and accurate answers please!! (1) who is the leader of Greece? (2) what are famous olimpyans in Greece and what did they do? (3) what is the total popluation of Greece? (4) what is the population of France? (5) who are famous Olimpyans in Frace and what did they do? (6) What is the main food eaten in France? i know i dont want yall to do my homework for me cuz tht aint fair. but i just need sites?

A) https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gr.html chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos (Kostas) KARAMANLIS (since 7 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February 2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a government election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of parlimentary votes, 279 out of 300 Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%, KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE 12, Synaspismos 6; note - seats by party as of December 2006 - ND 164, PASOK 113, KKE 12, Synaspismos 6, independents 5, other 6 Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges appointed for life by the president after consultation with a judicial council Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2006, due partly to infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has sustained record levels of consumer spending. Greece violated the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP from 2001 to 2005, but finally appears on track to meet that criteria in 2006. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average, but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often vocal opposition from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. ========================== Population: 10,688,058 (July 2006 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 790,291/female 742,902) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 3,562,251/female 3,566,097) 65 years and over: 19% (male 891,620/female 1,134,897) (2006 est.) Median age: total: 40.8 years ===================== https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/fr.html Population: total: 62,752,136 note: 60,876,136 in metropolitan France (July 2006 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 5,704,152/female 5,427,213) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 19,886,228/female 19,860,506) 65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,103,883/female 5,894,154) (2006 est.) Median age: total: 39.1 years male: 37.6 years female: 40.7 years (2006 est.) Population growth rate: 0.35% (2006 est.) Birth rate: 11.99 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) =============== THE FAMOUS ANCIENT OLYMPIC WINNERS The wrestler Milon, from Croton, took part in seven Olympiads of which he won six. The Spartan wrestler, Hipposthenes, won five times. The record for victories in the pentathlon was held by the Elean Gorgos, who won four times. He also won once in both the diaulos and the hoplidromos events. Chonis of Laconia was seven times champion: four times in the stadion and three in the diaulos, winning four consecutive Olympiads from 668 BC to 656 BC. The record is held by Leonidas from Rhodes who was twelve times a champion in four consecutive Olympiads, three times in each (stadion, diaulos and hoplitodromos), from 164 BC to 152 BC. Arrachion the Arcadian was three times a pankration Olympic winner. In the 54th Olympiad (564 BC), his rival, in a tactical manoeuvre, squeezed his hands around his neck and unfortunately Arrachion died of suffocation. The Hellanodikai declared him the winner.

How can Greece have only Greek people living in Greece isn't this strange?

Q) Ethnic statistics from the government of Greece says that there is 98% Greeks, 0.1% Muslims and 0.1% Turks that live in Greece!! Isn't this strange Greece says it is pretty anicent and from all those anicent times at war no other ethnic person was left behind except Greek? Or that no other ethnic came to this country? Because if you check any other country they have allot of different ethinc groups! I just want to know if you guys think that it is odd!! www.cia.gov/cia/publcations/factbook/geos/gr.html It is strange because there is still allot of Macedonian people living in Northern Greece after the country Macedonia was divided in 1913 and Northern Greece was part of the country call MACEDONIA!!

A) Greece lays claim to Macedonian history, pretending it belongs to them. It is not surprising that Greece also likes to pretend some sort of 100% racial "purity." (There is no such thing as racial purity, not really.) It would be interesting to know what their motivation is for making such claims.

(Greece) does anybody know this as first hand?

Q) (Greece) does anybody know this as first hand? Is it true that only ‘neutral’ languages like English, German etc are permitted in Greece? Is it true that languages of neighbouring nations like Turkish, Macedonian, Albanian etc are forbidden in Greece? How strict is legislation about it?

A) I am greek, and i can tell you that what you say doesnt exist my friend, because in Greece the only language you dont hear is greek. Concerning turkish language, we have the turkish minorities, who dont have any problem here...And we also dont have with them. The problem in Greece is with the other immigrants...And especially in Athens you just hear albanian, russian,yugoslavian, bulgarian,but not greek..So, what are we talking about?Greece is one of the few countries which accepts so well immigrants..Of course i wouldnt like to express my opinion about it,it will cause problem.But if your problem is this, if you come you ll not be allowed to speak your language, i think you got wrong information, i know it is not your fault...If you come, you ll understand, and you ll remember my words... Certainly, lately there is a racism, because of many events with Skopje, with Albania, this doesnt mean that there are not families who work with dignity...But the racism begins from the fact that the deliquency has increased, and they dont recognoize the hospitality our country gives to them...And I repeat, we dont generalise things...there are exceptions...