Map of Greece

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Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is located on the Balkan Peninsula in southern Europe. It is bordered by Albania, Macedonia, and Bulgaria to the north, by Turkey and the Aegean Sea to the east, by the Ionian Sea to the west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Greece occupies 50,942 square miles, and much of this area consists of islands. The country's coastline, including island coastlines, is a total of 8,498 miles long! The capital city of Greece is Athens, situated along the country's south coast. Located here is the ancient Acropolis, Greece's most popular tourist attraction.

Greece Map, Showing Major Cities and Islands

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Geography of Greece

Almost a fifth of Greece is made up of islands. Most of these islands are east of the main peninsula in the Aegean Sea, but some are also located in the Ionian Sea to the west. Amazingly, only about 10 percent of these thousands of islands are inhabited! Much of Greece's land is used for grazing and farmland. Poultry, sheep, and cattle, as well as pigs and goats, are commonly raised in Greece; popular crops include barley, wine grapes, dried fruits, and olives plus potatoes, sugar beets, and wheat.

Greece's Climate

If you enjoy visiting places where the sun shines, then the east coast of Greece is almost a sure bet. The area enjoys more than 2,700 hours of sunshine per year, and receives about half the rainfall of Greece's western region. Greece's mountain climate is colder and harsher, and the higher slopes get some snow in winter. Greece's low-lying areas are known for their hot, dry summers and mild, moist winters.

Leading Greek Cities

The city of Athens, with its historic archaeological ruins, is known for its parks, urban gardens, outdoor cafes, and pedestrian streets. Located on the Saronic Gulf, Athens was the cultural and artistic center of ancient Greece, and remains one of the country's most popular hubs. Often visited attractions in Athens include the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and the Theatre of Dionysus. Unfortunately, overcrowding in the city, as well as pollution, are damaging some of these historical sites. In addition, many tourists to Greece prefer to visit less populated areas that show more of traditional Greek life and culture.

Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, is a cultural treasure house featuring impressive monuments from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Archaeological remnants from the ancient Greek civilization may also be found in Greek cities such as Sparta, Corinth, and Olympia.

Greece Travel Information

The famous Mount Olympus of Greek mythology is Greece's highest point, rising to 9,570 feet (2,917 meters). The Greek Archipelago includes thousands of islands and islets spread out in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Most spectacular is Santorini, with its black sand beaches and impressive lava-layered cliffs, which rise from the beautiful blue sea.

Greek Tourism

Greece is a magnet to tourists because of its breathtaking scenery and beautiful climate, as well as its rich cultural history. For more information about visiting Greece, visit the Greek Culture website and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) website, a travel guide published by the Ministry of Tourism.

Greece Resources

CIA - The World Factbook - Greece - Government almanac provides maps, geography and statistics for Greece.
Wikipedia - Greece - This free online encyclopedia includes information about regions in Greece and Greek history.
Greece News - News headlines and news article links about current events in the nation of Greece.