GREECE

Greece or Hellas officially the Hellenic Republic is a country in south-eastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkan peninsula. It is bordered by Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania to the north and by Turkey to the east. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of mainland Greece while the Ionian Sea lies to the west. Both parts of the eastern Mediterranean basin, feature a vast number of islands.

Location

Located in South-east Europe, the mainland has a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea with the lonian Sea to the west and Aegean Sea to the east. There are many islands, including Crete, around the coast, especially to the south Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria are to the north and Turkey to the east.

Geography

Strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands.

Capital

Athens

Population

10,688,058

Climate

Temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers.

Language

Greek

Monetary Unit

Drachma

Largest Cities

Athens, Salonika, Patras, Haraklion, Volos, Larissa

Principal rivers

Aliakmon, Pinios, Akheloos

Places to Visit

Athens, Haraklion, Parthenon, Delphi, Salonika.

Air Ports

Alexandroupolis International Airport, Hellinikon International Airport (Athens)