Welcome to Greece Geography – Brief History – Tradition
Geography Greece is located in south-eastern Europe, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula; it lies at the meeting point of three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa.
Greece borders Bulgaria on the North, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.), Albania on the Northwest, and Turkey on the Northeast. On the West it is washed by the Ionian Sea; and by the Mediterranean Sea on the South.
The total area of Greece is close to 132 square km with around 6.000 islands and islets, scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Sea. Greece is one of the most mountainous countries of Europe; furthermore, it has 16.000 kilometres of coastline, a truly unparalleled phenomenon on the European continent.
Brief History Greece is steeped with ancient history and civilizations. Traces of human habitation in Greece appeared as far back as the Paleolithic Age. Over time other civilizations would emerge. The city states of Ancient Greece such as Athens and Sparta created one of the most advanced ancient civilizations in history. Giving birth to many advanced concepts in government and philosophy that are still used today. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great came into power. He would unite the Greek people and conquer the Persian Empire.
By 30 BC, all of Greece became part of the Roman Empire. When the Roman Empire split, Greece become a part of the Byzantium Empire. Greek culture would have a significant influence on both the Roman and Byzantium cultures. Greece remained part of the Byzantium Empire until the arrival of the Ottoman Empire in the 1400s.
After 4 centuries of domination, the Greeks broke free of the Ottomans. The Greek War of Independence in 1821, resulted in the creation of an independent Greek Kingdom in 1830. The Greek State took its current form after the end of World War II with the incorporation of the Dodecanese Islands.
In 1974, the government changed into Presidential Parliamentary Democracy, and in 1981 Greece became a member of the European Union.
Tradition Arts such as architecture, sculpture, pottery, weaving, music, jewellery-making and painting have a long-term tradition in Greece. Folk culture for the Greek people, rich in music, dances, poetry and theatre, is part of their everyday life.