Greece is located in the southeast of Europe, in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as on the islands of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian Seas. The area is 131,944 km. It shares borders with Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey and Albania. The country is washed by the Mediterranean, Ionian, and Aegean Seas, and the southern coast of Crete is washed by the Libyan Sea, with a coastline of more than 15,000 kilometers. The number of islands is over 3000. The islands are united into several archipelagos, with a total area of 24,800 km², or 20% of the territory.
The Greek landscape is a combination of rocky, usually treeless mountains, densely populated valleys, numerous islands, straits and bays. Picturesque cliffs, beaches, and exotic caves provide great opportunities for seaside recreation and sightseeing. Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the country’s surface area. The highest point is the legendary Olympus. In fact, it is not just one mountain, but the highest mountain range in Greece (2917 meters). The three highest peaks of Olympus are called Mithikas (2918 m), Scolio (2912 m) and Stephanie (2905 m). Olympus is not only a historical and mythological symbol, but also a natural monument. The Olimpus National Reserve is characterized by enormous biodiversity. There are 1700 species of plants here, which is 25% of all species found in Greece. On a narrow and mountainous peninsula, it was impossible to form large river systems, so mountain rivers prevail, short, turbulent, with picturesque rapids and waterfalls, often flowing to the sea in narrow canyons. The longest river in Greece is the Alyakmon (over 300 km). Other major rivers are the Evros, Nestos, Strymon, Vardar, and Aheloos.

Climate

Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate with humid and mild winters and rather dry and warm summers. The climate in coastal cities is much milder, with warmer winters and cooler summers. Such weather conditions allow you to relax in Greece at any time of the year. April and May are the “most beautiful” months, at this time of year Greece blooms and turns green. Spring is the best time to travel to the country’s historical sites. The hottest months are July and August.

The swimming season starts in April and lasts until November. During this period, the average water temperature reaches twenty-one degrees. The seas that wash Greece in summer heat up to twenty-four degrees. The water temperature does not drop and remains the same in September and October.

In summer, the average air temperature is thirty-four degrees, sometimes rising to forty. In the evening, the air temperature drops to twenty-three degrees. The average winter temperature is not lower than +13 during the day and not lower than +6 in the evening.

Islands

Greece consists of more than 2000 islands, from large to tiny. They account for about 20% of the total Greek territory.
All islands are divided into several groups:
The Ionian Islands are located in the Ionian Sea, off the western coast of Greece. The largest tourist island here is Corfu. It attracts tourists with its lush vegetation and picturesque villages with a calm atmosphere and clean air.
The Northern Aegean Islands are located in the northern Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. The largest island is Lesvos.
Northern Sporades is located off the eastern coast of Greece.
The Cyclades are located in the center of the Aegean Sea. The center of the ancient developed Cycladic culture. It is home to mostly small islands, such as the trendy bohemian resort of Mykonos and the birthplace of Santorini’s strong and delicious wines.
The Dodecanese is a group of islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. Sometimes they are called the Southern Sporades. It is an important center of tourism in Greece. The largest island is Rhodes.
Crete is the largest island in Greece. The center of the ancient Cretan civilization. There are many small satellite islands near the island. From the south, the island is washed by the Libyan Sea.

Flora and fauna

The flora of Greece is the richest in Europe. Currently, more than five thousand different plant species have been officially registered, of which almost eight hundred species grow exclusively in these places. In Greece, you can often see such plants as makvis, cypress, frigana, and pine forests. If you are lucky, you can see plane trees that are several thousand years old. The country’s flora is dominated by the olive tree, which is the most valuable tree not only in Greece but throughout the Mediterranean.

Greece is now home to almost one hundred and twenty mammals, of which nearly sixty species are endangered. The mountain forests are favored by animals such as jackals, wild cats, foxes, bears, stone martens, and badgers. Wolves and lynxes live mainly in remote forests. The ungulate family includes fallow deer, deer, roe deer, wild boars, and wild goats.

The country’s forests are also home to rabbits, squirrels, hares, moles, hedgehogs, and representatives of the rodent family, such as porcupine, hamster, vole, and bats. White-bellied seals and turtles live near the coast.

Unique and rare birds are also found in Greece, with four hundred species, of which two hundred and forty are permanent residents. Predators include birds such as the golden eagle, eagle, black vulture and some species of falcons.

Greece is a country that has the richest fauna in Europe, with nearly one hundred and ten species of fish, and thirty-seven of them are endemic, meaning they live in the lakes and rivers of Greece.

Religion

Orthodoxy is the main official religion of the country. It is practiced by almost ninety percent of the Greek population. Led by the Archbishop of Athens, the Greek Autocephalous Orthodox Church is not separated from the state. The residence itself stands in the capital of Greece, Athens. The Ecumenical Patriarch, whose residence is in Constantinople, now Istanbul, is subordinate to the churches on the Dodecanese Islands, the churches of the monastic republic on the Holy Mount Athos, and the churches on the island of Crete.

The country allows the practice of religion. Catholicism is also widespread on the islands of the Aegean Sea, and in the northern part of the country, in Thrace to be precise, there are national Muslim minorities, numbering approximately one hundred thousand people – fifty percent of the Turkish population, thirty-five percent of the Pomaks, and fifteen percent of the Muslim Gypsies. percent.

Currency

Greece is a member of the Eurozone with a single currency, the euro.
A euro is equal to 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents are in circulation.
Cash currency can be exchanged in banks or exchange offices (a tax of 1-2% of the amount exchanged is charged), as well as in special sections of post offices. The number of ATMs is quite large. Hotels in Greece and supermarkets accept credit cards of major international payment systems, often with a 3-5% commission for a banking transaction (the easiest way to get cash is with a VISA or MASTERCARD).
Banks are open on weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (on Fridays until 1.30 p.m.). Some banks in popular resorts are open during the high tourist season and in the afternoon, from 15.00 to 21.00. All banks are closed on weekends and national holidays.

The main resorts

Holidays in Greece are associated primarily with the islands scattered in all four seas. Each island has a unique character, each boasts a rich history, both ancient and Orthodox.
Crete The largest island of Greece, washed by three seas at once: Cretan in the north, Libyan in the south, and Ionian in the west. The island’s hallmarks are magnificent beaches, high mountains, Byzantine monasteries and, of course, the famous Minotaur Labyrinth. But Crete is not only the oldest center of civilization in Europe, it is also a modern tourist center in the Mediterranean. There are two international airports on the island, which significantly reduces the transfer time to the vacation destination. The entire coast is dotted with resort villages and towns with taverns, shops, hotels, and water parks. At the same time, quiet and secluded places in Crete are not in short supply, just choose a hotel in one of the hundreds of cozy bays.
Rhodes One of the most colorful islands of the Aegean Sea. It carefully preserves monuments of antiquity and the Middle Ages, such as the temple of the goddess Athena and a real knightly fortress. Narrow cobblestone streets turn into bustling tourist promenades, only to be replaced by orange and rose gardens. It is no coincidence that Rhodes is called the fruit and flower greenhouse of Greece. The resort towns are equally good for both beach and active sports recreation – there are windsurfing, diving, and rock climbing schools in the area.
Corfu. The Emerald Isle, a treasure of the Ionian Sea, is one of the most fashionable resorts in Greece. Luxury hotels usually stand alone, have their own beaches and vast green areas. At the same time, the local villages managed to preserve the traditional way of life: here you will be treated to homemade wine, taught to understand the types of olive oils and surprised with sincere hospitality. After all, Corfu is an island of love and romance, where cypress trees coexist with vineyards, tangerine groves with oak trees, and exquisite luxury with spiritual simplicity. As a World Heritage Site, the Old Town is protected by UNESCO.
Kos. A cozy green island that is part of the Dodecanese archipelago. The Aegean Sea gives it a pleasant coolness, so there is no exhausting heat on Kos. Instead, there are a record number of ancient monuments, from the sycamore tree of Hippocrates, where he lectured 2,000 years ago, to the temple of Asklepios. Wide sandy beaches give way to bays that seem to have been designed by nature itself for water sports, especially windsurfing. Fans of outdoor activities on Kos will be interested: the unique location allows you to visit all seven Dodeccanese Islands in a short time.

Beaches.

The coastline of Greece is 15,000 km long, half of which is located on the country’s thousands of islands, while the rest of the coastline stretches along the mainland coast.
Greek beaches are very popular and known for their cleanliness and transparency of water. About 400 beaches have been awarded the European Union’s Blue Flag, which indicates that they meet the highest standards of water quality and coastal ecology, as well as all safety requirements for vacationers. The largest number of Blue Flag beaches are located on the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Halkidiki and the Peloponnese.
All Greek beaches are municipal, belong to the state and its people and cannot be transferred to private ownership. Hotels can only rent the beach from the state.
In Greece, you can find beaches for every taste – long beaches with white sand and crystal clear water, small beaches surrounded by huge cliffs or pine forests.
Beaches are the most popular in Greece:
– of the Halkidiki Peninsula. Due to the location of the peninsula, the sea is always calm here, and even in windy weather there are no big waves;
– the largest island of Greece – Crete. The local beaches are striking in their diversity;
– the beaches of Rhodes. The island is the confluence of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, so the weather is almost always windy. A very wide range of water activities;
– Kos beaches differ from each other depending on which part of the island they are located. The sea is always warm in the northeast;
– The beaches of Corfu consist of many coves and are very diverse. Suitable for lovers of both relaxing and active recreation;
– Santorini’s beaches can delight tourists with a diverse range of sand colors. Since the island is of volcanic origin, many beaches have black sand.