| Area |
131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles). |
| Population |
10,516,366 (1998). |
| Capital |
Athens - population 3,072,922 (1991). |
| Climate |
Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff breezes, especially in the north and coastal areas. Athens can be stiflingly hot, so visitors should allow time to acclimatise. The evenings are cool. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the north. November to March is the rainy season. |
| Language |
Greek (Ellenika). Most people connected with tourism will speak English, German, Italian or French. |
| Religion |
97 per cent Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish Minorities. |
| Time |
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
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| Highlights |
The history of Greece alone is mesmerizing, as well as it being recognized as one of the oldest in the world, tracing back to Stone Age. The country is also known to have had some of the world's strongest and influential empires - this is also the birthplace of the Olympic games, political science, mathematics etc! The country's legacy still stands today, as there is an abundance of resources that visitors with ecological and cultural interests will find very attractive. This can be seen for example in Crete, Greece's largest island and the cradle of Europe's first civilisation, the Minoan. Since the time of the Minoans, Crete's history is one of successive invading nations, each of which have left their mark over the years. For visitors who are interested in sea tourism, this is the area to do so, with plenty of water sports and cruises, without forgetting some the region's stunning beaches.
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| Country Facts |
Situated in the southeast of Europe on the Mediterranean, Greece consists of over 6,000 island divided into several regions with Crete as the largest island and Euboea being the second largest of the Greek islands. |