The regions of Greece are called decentralized administrations. There are seven of them in the country; they combine sections of the Greek mainland and clusters of islands. The main purpose of this division is the decentralization of management in the country. The regions of Greece listed below with names and cities of the regions will allow you to better understand the structure of the country.

Northern regions of Greece

Macedonia and Thrace

From the north this region borders with Bulgaria and Macedonia, and from the south it is washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. It is to this part of Greece that the famous Chalkidiki peninsula, divided into three “prongs,” belongs. One of them is the holy land of Athos. The central city is one of the oldest cities in Greece. In addition to it, there are many picturesque cities with a rich history - Xanthi, Kilkis, Serres.

Epirus and Western Macedonia

This northern region borders Macedonia and Albania. The western coast of Epirus opens onto the Ionian Sea. Along it lies the seaside town of Igoumenitsa. This part of Greece is especially rich in monuments from the Byzantine era. Its center is Ioannina, which was once the property of Turkey.

Central regions of Greece

Thessaly and Central Greece

This region faces the Aegean Sea from the east. These lands can rightly be called the center of Greek history. After all, many of the local names are familiar to us from ancient Greek myths. Thebes, Chalkis, Lamia - all these names are familiar even to those who have never been to Greece. In addition, in Central Greece there is the town of Karpenision, popular among ski lovers.

Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionia

The huge Peloponnese peninsula is washed by the Ionian Sea from the west, and the Mediterranean from the east and south. Western Greece is divided into two parts by the deep and narrow Gulf of Corinth. This area is full of picturesque cliffs and is an excellent beach holiday. You will see cities familiar from myths - Corinth, Sparta and Argos. The center of this region is Patras, the third largest city in Greece. The region includes the Ionian Islands - Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Corfu.

Attica

This region is probably the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Greece. with their Acropolis, many ancient statues and temples, hills made of marble and limestone. The waves of the Mediterranean Sea merge here with the Aegean, creating one of the most wonderful water areas in the world.

Greece - the most detailed information about the country with photos. Sights, cities of Greece, climate, geography, population and culture.

Greece (Ελλάδα)

Greece is a state in Southern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. The country is washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea in the west, and the Mediterranean in the south. Greece borders Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. It is a unitary parliamentary republic, the state religion of which is Orthodoxy. The population speaks Greek.

Greece is known for its wonderful nature, fascinating history and rich culture. The country is considered the cradle of civilization, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy, mathematics and physics, as well as the Olympic Games. Ancient archaeological sites, rich cultural heritage, mild climate and sandy beaches make Greece one of the main tourist destinations in Europe.

Interestingly, the official name of the state is Hellas. The Greeks themselves use the word "Greece", which has Latin roots, only when communicating with foreigners

Useful information about Greece

The official language is Greek.
Religion - Orthodoxy.
Population - 10.7 million people.
Area - 131,957 km².
Currency - euro.
Time - UTC +2, in summer +3.
The capital is Athens.
Public holidays: January 1 - New Year, January 6 - Baptism, March 25 - Independence Day, May 1 - Labor Day, August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary, October 28 - Okha Day, December 25-26 - Christmas. Religious holidays: Clean Monday - 41 days before Easter, Easter, Pentecost - on the 50th day after Easter.
Electrical network - 230V (50Hz).
Visa - Schengen.
Greece is a safe country. The greatest dangers are theft and fraud.

Geography and nature

Greece is located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. The country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in particular: the Ionian, Aegean and Libyan seas, which are part of its waters. 20% of Greece's territory is located on numerous islands.

Geographically, the country's territory can be divided into three parts:

Continental Greece (Greek Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, central part of the country).
The Peloponnese is a large peninsula occupying the southern part of the Balkans.
Islands of the Aegean Sea (Crete, Euboea).

The relief of Greece is quite diverse. Mountains occupy approximately 25% of its territory. The highest point is the legendary Olympus (2917 m).

The fauna of Greece is not very rich. There are very few wild animals left in the country. The most common are hares, badgers, porcupines, turtles, numerous snakes and lizards. There are also foxes, bears, lynxes, and wild boars. The flora of Greece is typical of the Mediterranean: olive, cypress, plane trees, etc.

Climate

Most of Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. In the mountains and foothills - temperate and alpine.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Greece will depend on the purpose of your holiday. The beach season begins in May. In most resorts the sea warms up to 21-22 °C. The hottest months are July and August. Sea water during this period is 25-28 °C. The most comfortable season for a beach holiday is September. During the day it is no longer so hot, and the water is still as warm as in the summer. March and April are perfect for exploring the rich cultural and historical heritage of Greece.

Story

Traces of humans on the territory of Greece date back to the Paleolithic era. In the third millennium BC. The Minoan civilization arose on the island of Crete, which subsequently spread to the continent. During this period, early states and writing emerged, crafts, navigation, and trade developed. The Minoan civilization is replaced by the Hellenic and Mycenaean civilizations. The Mycenaean culture was destroyed by the invasion of the Dorian tribes. This also led to the decline of early Greek cities and the loss of writing.

After the Dorian invasion, Greek culture began to develop almost from scratch. The next period in the history of Ancient Greece is called Polis. In the 8th-6th centuries BC, legendary city-states began to emerge - policies, as well as Greek colonies throughout the Mediterranean and even on the Black Sea. The heyday of Ancient Greece occurred in the 5th-4th centuries BC. This period in history is called classical. It ended with the rise of Macedonia and the loss of independence of the poleis.

The ancient Greek civilization is called Ancient Greece. It is considered the cradle of all Western civilization. The Greeks themselves even then called their country Hellas, and themselves Hellenes.

After the defeat of the united army of the poleis, the Corinthian League was created, led by Macedonia. A new period of Greek history begins - the Hellenistic. It begins with the campaigns of Alexander the Great, and ends with the conquest of the Hellenistic states by Rome. Interestingly, after the conquest of Greece, Macedonia adopted its culture. Alexander himself was a great admirer of Greek civilization, so Greek culture spread to all the conquered countries.

The Romans controlled Greek territories from the 1st century BC. to 3rd century AD Many Roman emperors admired the culture of Greece and borrowed a lot from it. In the 1st century AD Christianity began to spread here. In 324, Emperor Constantine made Constantinople the capital of the Roman Empire. Later, Byzantium arose, and Greece became part of it. In the 13th century, Constantinople was taken by the Crusaders. Greek territory was divided into zones of influence between Western European states. In 1453, Byzantium fell to the Ottomans, and Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire.

Greece gained its independence in 1830 after a long war of national liberation. During the Balkan Wars, the state even increased its territories. After World War I, Greece went to war with Turkey, led by Ataturk, which ended in 1923. In 1940, Italy demanded that the state provide a bridgehead for troops. Greece answered “no” and was occupied by German troops until 1944. The country celebrates the refusal of the fascists on October 28 as Okha Day.

After World War II, the monarchy was restored in Greece, which was overthrown during a military coup in 1967. In 1980, Greece joined NATO, and a year later the European Union.

Currently, Greece is divided into 7 decentralized administrations and the autonomous monastic state of Mount Athos.

Administrative divisions of Greece:

Attica is the administrative center of the city of Athens.
Macedonia - Thrace - the administrative center is the city of Thessaloniki.
Epirus and Western Macedonia - the administrative center is the city of Ioannina.
Thessaly and Central Greece - the administrative center is the city of Larisa.
Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionia - the administrative center is the city of Patras.
Aegean Islands - the administrative center is the city of Piraeus.
The island of Crete is the administrative center of the city of Heraklion.

Population

93% of the population of Greece are ethnic Greeks. They speak Greek and profess Orthodoxy. Large ethnic groups: Albanians, Turks, Macedonian Slavs, Aromanians, Gypsies. The Greeks themselves are polite, religious, hospitable and lazy. They don't really like to work, but they love rest and leisure. Greeks take politics and sports very seriously and value their culture and history. They are also very sensitive to the issue of Macedonia and relations with Turkey. Therefore, it is better to avoid arguing on these topics in conversations. It is also better not to raise the topic that Greece is Eastern Europe or a typical Balkan country. When speaking, Greeks can gesticulate a lot.

Transport

The largest airport in Greece is located in Athens. Its passenger traffic is more than 20 million people. Other major international airports are located in Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Corfu, Rhodes. The largest national carriers are Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines. Easy Jet (London, Berlin, Paris, Milan), SkyEurope (Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, Budapest and Krakow) and many others also fly to Greece.

The largest railway junction is Thessaloniki, from where trains run to Budapest, Istanbul, Sofia, and Bucharest. Greece can be reached by bus from many major cities in Southern Europe, as well as Bratislava, Prague and Munich. The most popular car route is a trip by car to Italy and then by ferry across the Adriatic. You can also get to Greece by ferry from Venice, Trieste, Bari, Ancona.

Cities of Greece and popular destinations

The capital of Greece, the largest city in the country, its economic, cultural and financial center. It is considered the cradle of the classical period of the ancient Greek state and the entire Western civilization. The appearance of the city was formed under the influence of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Interestingly, after its decline in the Middle Ages, by 1830 Athens was a small provincial village until it was chosen as the capital of an independent Greek state.

The second most populous city in Greece and the largest in Central Macedonia. It is considered the cultural capital of the country with many festivals, exciting events and a rich cultural life. Thessaloniki is an ancient city with many artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past. The ancient Byzantine churches and historical center are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Kerkyra

Kerkyra is a city on the island of Corfu, the historical center of which is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It belonged to the Venetians for several centuries, so it is famous for its elegant Italian architecture, Venetian fortresses and beautiful streets.

Nafplion is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in the country, located in the east of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is the first capital of independent Greece with a beautiful promenade and an old town with neoclassical mansions.

The third largest city in Greece and the “gateway” to Italy. Located in the west of the Peloponnese Peninsula. Patras is an ancient city founded in the 6th century BC. Unfortunately, only the Odeon has survived from antiquity.

The capital of the island of Crete and one of the oldest cities in Greece. Here you can touch the antiquities of the Minoan civilization, see the legendary ruins of the Knossos Palace, in the underground labyrinths of which the mythical Minotaur lived, as well as Byzantine churches and Venetian fortifications.

Volos is the sixth largest city in Greece, a major industrial center and port. Located at the foot of the legendary Mount Pelion and known for its interesting ancient sights - the ruins of an ancient acropolis and a Neolithic settlement.

Santorini or Thira is an island in the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades archipelago. It is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Greece. This volcanic island is known for its white houses, unique beaches, luxury resorts and wine.

Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands, part of the Dodecanese archipelago. It is definitely worth visiting the city of the same name, which is surrounded by impressive fortifications built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century.

Crete is the largest island of Greece, which is famous for its magnificent beaches, impressive natural landscapes and traces of ancient civilizations.

Mykonos is the most glamorous island in Greece with many luxury hotels, expensive restaurants and sandy beaches. Very popular with celebrities.

Sights of Greece

The Acropolis is a symbol of Greece and one of the most famous monuments of ancient Greek civilization. It is a high rocky hill located right in the heart of modern Athens. The Acropolis is topped by three ancient temples that date back to the 5th century BC. The main pearl of this archaeological site is the Parthenon - a magnificent ancient Greek temple consisting of 58 columns and dedicated to the goddess Athena. Nearby are other ancient attractions - the ancient agora (market square), the Roman forum and the Temple of Zeus.

Knossos is an ancient city on the island of Crete, the center of the Minoan civilization and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece. Famous for the ruins of a huge ancient palace built in the second millennium BC. According to myths, there was a labyrinth of the minotaur here.

Delphi is an ancient Greek city at the foot of Mount Parnassus and an important religious center of Ancient Greece. Known as the location of the Oracle of Apollo. It consists of the ruins of numerous temples, a theater and a stadium, built from the 8th century BC. to 2nd century AD The adjacent archaeological museum contains all the most interesting finds.

Olympia is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Greece, the site where the first Olympic Games were held. This ancient city is located in the western part of the Peloponnese and is famous for the ruins of an ancient stadium, temples of Zeus and Hera. The archaeological museum houses many interesting ancient artifacts.

Epidaurus is an ancient Greek city in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Famous for the ruins of the Temple of Asclepius and the ancient theater built in the 4th century BC. The theater has been preserved very well. It is famous for its acoustics and is still used for performances.

The Temple of Poseidon is the ruins of an ancient Greek temple at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula, 70 km from Athens. This structure was built in the 5th century BC. At the same time, the first temple was destroyed by the Persians. According to myths, it was in this place that King Aegeus jumped into the sea when he thought that his son Theseus had been killed.

Delos is the mythical place where Artemis and Apollo were born. In ancient times, the island was considered sacred. Now it is an open-air museum where you can look at ancient Greek ruins.

Mount Athos is a peak in northeastern Greece that is one of the most significant Orthodox shrines. According to legend, in 49 AD. The ship on which the Virgin Mary was sailing moored to the mountain. She was so amazed by the beauty of this place that she asked God to give it to her. Since that time, the mountain has been called Holy and is considered the earthly inheritance of the Virgin Mary. It is a huge monastery complex, which houses many Christian shrines.

The Meteora Monasteries are a complex of Orthodox monasteries in the northwestern part of Thessaly, built on the tops of picturesque sandstone cliffs. It is one of the most striking sights in Greece and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to scientists, 24 monasteries were built on the tops of the rocks from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Only 6 monasteries have survived to this day.

Monemvasia is a medieval Byzantine fortress located in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese. Built in the 6th century, it was used by the Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans.

Zagorochoria is an area in northwestern Greece known for its beautiful scenery and charming old stone villages (there are 46 of them). One of the main attractions of this region is the Vikos Gorge.

Patmos is a large ancient monastery of St. John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos. It is believed that John wrote the book of the Apocalypse here (in the cave).

Accommodation

Greece is one of the most popular countries in the world, one of the TOP 20 in the world in terms of tourist flow. Here you can find a huge number of accommodation options from expensive hotels and luxury villas to small modern hotels and inexpensive hostels. The cost of accommodation and housing offers depends entirely on the season and popularity of the place (resort). The highest season is July - September.

Kitchen

Greek cuisine is a synthesis of traditional culinary traditions with notable Italian and Turkish influences. Traditional Greek cuisine is full of vegetables, grains and herbs, fish and seafood. One of the main ingredients is olive oil and tomato paste. Every meal is accompanied by bread and wine.

Popular food:

Gyros - Greek shawarma.
Souvlaki are small kebabs.
Tzatziki - finely chopped cucumbers, dill or mint with olive oil, garlic and yogurt.
Greek salad - a mixture of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and onions with the addition of olives, green peppers and oregano, dressed with olive oil.
Fried octopus.
Moussaka is a baked puff pastry with eggplant stuffed with meat, tomatoes and white sauce.
Tiropita - cheese pie.
Saganaki - fried cheese.
Stifado - beef stew in sauce.
Spetsofai - stewed sausages with peppers and tomatoes.
Galaktoboureko - quiche.

Popular drinks:

Frappe - cold coffee with milk and sugar.
Local wine produced in Santorini, Crete and the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Ouzo is a Greek anise brandy.
Rakia is grape vodka, an analogue of Italian grappa.
Coffee and iced tea.
Beer - Mythos and Alpha.

They, in turn, are divided into 51 nom: Achaea, Aetolia kai Acarnania, Argolis, Arcadia, Arta, Attica, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodecanese, Drama, Evros, Eurytania, Evoia, Florina, Phocis, Phthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannia, Herakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria , Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Corinthia, Kozani, Cyclades, Laconia, Larissa, Lasifi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnesia, Messinia, Pela, Pieria, Preveza, Refinnis, Rhodope, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Boeotia , Xanthi, Zakynthos and one autonomous region of Holy Mount Athos. Nomes consist of dioceses, and dioceses are divided into dimes (municipalities), kinotites (communes).

Minister of Internal Affairs appoints nome prefects, to whom local officials (elected by the residents) are subordinate. Monasteries on Mount Athos have a special autonomous status.

Capital of Greece - Athens. Largest cities: Athens (3,693,000 people, Thessaloniki (378,000 people), Piraeus (170,000 people), Peloponnese (155,000 people), Heraklion (117,000 people), Larissa (113,000 people).

The diversity of natural conditions, features of historical development and economic specialization make it possible to distinguish on the territory of Greece five districts: Central, Northern, Western, Southern and Eastern (Island) Greece.

Let us dwell on a brief description of the characteristics of each region in order to better imagine the diversity of this unique country. Central Greece includes the Attica peninsula, Thessaly and the island of Euboea. These ancient lands, along with the Peloponnese and Crete, were the cradle of ancient Greece.

It stands out for its vastness and fertility Thessalian lowland- the breadbasket of the country. To the north of it rises the Olympus mountain range. The world-famous “abode of the Greek gods” becomes the kingdom of tourists and climbers.

Along the western borders of the district stretch Pindus mountains. The famous Thermopylae gorge is a convenient passage in the mountains from north to south, rich in warm healing springs.

Here in 480 BC. e. A handful of Spartan warriors fought to the death to defend their homeland from the Persian invasion. Today the highway passes through Thermopylae Athens–Thessaloniki. The names of the mountains and cities of Central Greece speak a lot to any educated person: Parnassus, Helikon, Thebes, Marathon, Delphi.

IN Central Greece the most important centers of modern life in the country are concentrated. On the Attica peninsula, near the shores of the Aegean Sea, among the hilly plains irrigated by the rivers Kifissos and Ilissos, are located Athens- the capital of Greece, its largest city, the main political, economic, cultural and scientific center.

Livadia, the main city of the state of Boeotia, is surrounded not only by cotton, tobacco and wheat fields, but also by a whole ring of ruins of ancient settlements, shrines and other memorable places. To the northwest of Levadia lies the famous Parnassus mountain range.

The center of the fertile Thessalian plain, Larisa is interesting for its preserved oriental flavor.

Part Central Greece includes the island of Euboea, the second largest after Crete, its area exceeds 3600 square meters. km. Euboea is covered with forested mountains.

Northern Greece includes two historical regions: Aegean (Greek) Macedonia and Thrace - and stretches in an arc between the land borders of Greece and the coast of the Aegean Sea. Northern Greece is located at an important historical crossroads of land and sea routes leading from Europe to the Middle East.

The largest city in Northern Greece is Thessaloniki located on the hilly shore of the Thermaikos Gulf, near the confluence of the river. Vardara.

Western Greece located between the Ionian Sea and the inaccessible, sparsely populated Pindus Mountains. The Ionian Islands belong to the same area. Ioannina is the administrative and commercial center of the Greek Epirus and the largest city in Western Greece.

Off the coast Western Greece There is a group of rocky Ionian islands with a total area of 2 thousand square meters. km. The Ionian Islands were never part of the Ottoman Empire. Culturally, they gravitated towards Western Europe - Italy, France and England.

Located further south, the island of Ithaca is the legendary homeland of Odysseus. Traces of ancient buildings have been preserved here - the poetic Grotto of the Nymphs and the Arethusa Fountain, which attract many tourists.

Southern Greece occupies the mountainous, sparsely populated Peloponnese peninsula. The largest city with 100 thousand inhabitants is Pakhra, or Patras, located in the north-west of the Peloponnese, on the shores of the Gulf of Patraikos.

Covers over a thousand islands of the Aegean Sea Eastern Greece. Some islands delight the eye with vegetation, others amaze the imagination with the wildness of their rocky, steep shores.

The largest island in Eastern Greece is Crete. On its territory of 8.3 thousand square meters. 450 thousand people live in km. Crete became part of Greece only in 1913 after numerous uprisings of the local population against the Ottoman yoke.

- a state in southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula.

Official name of Greece:
Hellenic Republic.

Territory of Greece:
The area of the state of the Hellenic Republic is 131940 km².

Population of Greece:
The population of Greece is more than 10 million inhabitants (10,964,020 people).

Ethnic groups of Greece:
The majority of the population of Greece is Greek - 92%. The only official minority is the Muslims of Thrace and the Dodecanese Islands, including Turks - 0.8%, Pomaks (Bulgarian-speaking Muslims, 0.3%) and Muslim Roma (0.1%). Other minorities are distinguished mainly on linguistic grounds and are not officially recognized in Greece: Albanians (1%; including Arvanites), "Slavophone Greeks" or Macedonian Slavs (close to Macedonians, 1.6%), Aromanians (1.1% , including Meglenites), Gypsies (1.8%), Serbs (0.3%), Arabs (0.3%), Armenians (0.3%), Jews (0.05%), etc.

Average life expectancy in Greece:
The average life expectancy in Greece is 78.89 years (see Ranking of countries in the world by average life expectancy).

Capital of Greece:
Athens.

Major cities in Greece:
Athens, Heraklion, Thessaloniki.

Official language of Greece:
Greek.

Religion in Greece:
Article 3 of the Greek Constitution states: “The dominant religion in Greece is the religion of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ.” The absolute majority (98%, according to 2006 data) of the Greek population are members of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Geographical location of Greece:
The Greek peninsula, located in southeastern Europe, covers an area of 131,944 km². Greece is located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and on the islands adjacent to it and the coast of Asia Minor. Greece borders Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Greece is washed by:
The Mediterranean Sea, including: the Ionian, Aegean Seas, and the southern coast of Crete - the Libyan Sea. Greece consists of about 2,000 islands, which account for almost 20% of the entire country.

The territory of Greece is divided into three parts.
Mainland Greece includes: Macedonia is a northern region of Greece, bordering Albania (Ioannina, Igoumenitsa), Bulgaria (Rhodopi) and Macedonia (Kastoria, Chalkidiki); Thrace - northeastern region bordering Bulgaria and Turkey (Alexandropol, Komotini); Epirus is a northwestern region bordering Albania (washed by the Ionian Sea); Thessaly is the most flat region, washed from the east by the Aegean Sea (Larissa, Volos, Trikala);

Central Greece - central part of Greece (Chalkis, Lamia, Amfissa):
Attica - the area around Athens; The Peloponnese is the largest peninsula of Greece (area - 21.4 thousand km²), connected to the mainland by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth (width 5 km), through which a canal was dug at the end of the 19th century (length 6500 m, width 23.5 m, depth 40 m).

The third region of Greece is formed by the islands of the Aegean Sea:
Euboea is the second largest island of Greece, after Crete (3.9 thousand km²), connected to the continent by a bridge; Lesbos is one of the largest islands of Greece (1.6 thousand km²); Northern Sporades - the islands of Skyros, Skopelos, Jura, Iliodrama, etc. in the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea; The Cyclades - "kyklos" in Greek - is a ring-forming archipelago in the central and southern part of the Aegean Sea (the islands of Amorgos, Andros, Sifnos, Santorini, Thymos, Kythnos, etc.); Southern Sporades - Dodecanese - an archipelago of 12 islands in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey (the islands of Rhodes, Samos, Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Leros, etc.).

The Greek landscape is an alternation of rocky, usually treeless mountains, densely populated valleys, numerous islands, straits and bays.
Picturesque cliffs, beaches, exotic grottoes provide enormous opportunities for seaside recreation and mountain tourism. The widespread occurrence of limestone, especially in the western part of Greece, has led to the formation of karst sinkholes and caves that give the landscape a unique wild appearance and attract those who like to try their hand at speleology. Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the surface of Greece. These are predominantly medium-altitude mountains (up to 1200-1800 m). The highest point in Greece is Mount Olympus (2917 m). Pindus, Parnassus, the mountain range in the northern Peloponnese and Taygetos also rise above 2000 meters. There are few plains, they are concentrated in the eastern half of the country, with the exception of the Peloponnese, where plains predominate on the west coast. About 44% of the territory is under forest and bushes. National parks of Greece: Vikos-Aoos, Mikra Prespa, Eta, etc. When taking walks in the mountains, you must remember that in Greece there are many reptiles (turtles, lizards and snakes, including the horned viper).

Rivers of Greece:
Large river systems could not form on the narrow and mountainous Greek peninsula. Mountain rivers predominate, short, stormy, with picturesque rapids and waterfalls, often flowing to the sea in narrow canyons. The longest river in Greece is Aljakmon (almost 300 km). Other large rivers are Ebros, Nestos, Strymon, Vardar, Aheloos. Rivers are not suitable for navigation, but play a fairly important role as sources of energy.

Administrative divisions of Greece:
The administrative division of Greece consists of 13 administrative districts (regions, or peripheries), which are then subdivided into 54 nomes, or prefectures. In addition to these 13 districts, Greece includes 1 autonomous region - Aion Oros in the region of Mount Athos. Thirteen regions are governed by general secretaries appointed by the government. Secretaries-General are representatives of the government. They support central government functions and services and also assist the government in developing regional development policies.

Greek government:
Greece is a unitary state consisting of 13 administrative units - regions. In 1983, it was legislatively established that issues of local importance are dealt with by councils elected by the population through direct elections. According to the 1975 constitution, Greece has a parliamentary form of government. The head of government is the prime minister - the head of the party that has the majority of seats in parliament. The government, headed by the prime minister, is responsible to parliament.

Legislative power in Greece belongs to the Chamber of Deputies, a unicameral representative body, which is elected by direct universal elections for a period of 4 years.
The Chamber of Deputies consists of no less than 200 and no more than 300 people. The Chamber meets once a year for a regular session, which lasts at least 5 months. In order to prepare and study bills and legislative proposals, at the beginning of each session it forms parliamentary commissions from its members. Legislative activity is carried out during plenary sessions.

The head of state is the president, who is elected by parliament for a term of five years and can be re-elected for another term.
The President has the power to declare war and enter into treaties with other countries. He appoints the prime minister and, on the latter's recommendation, other members of the government. The President can convene special sessions of parliament and dissolve it on the proposal of the government or with the consent of the Council of the Republic. The Council consists of the Prime Minister, the head of the parliamentary opposition, the Speaker of Parliament and former prime ministers and presidents of democratically elected governments.

The government exercises executive power, represented by the Prime Minister and ministers (one or more of them may be appointed as deputy prime ministers).
The government is formed by the party that wins the majority of seats in Parliament. The leader of this party becomes the prime minister. Within 15 days from the moment he takes the oath, the Government must raise the issue of confidence before Parliament. The Chamber of Deputies has the right to “retract its confidence” in the Government or one of its members. A resolution of censure may only be introduced 6 months after the House has rejected the previous resolution. The resolution of censure must be signed by at least 1/6 of the deputies.

The Government carries out the general policy of the state in accordance with the Constitution and laws.
Under the provisions of ministerial liability laws, members of the Council of Ministers and Secretaries of State are held liable for omissions committed in the performance of their functions. The system of government in Greece is based on the principle of decentralization. There are local authorities of the first and second levels and regional administration. First-level local authorities consist of municipalities and communities, which are responsible for solving local issues. The total number of communities and municipalities is less than 1000. The second level of local government is 51 prefectures, headed by prefectural councils and prefects, who since 1994 have been directly elected by citizens. Second-level local authorities deal with more general issues.

Greece is a unitary state. This means that local governments do not have the status of a state entity (their own parliaments, government, laws and other government attributes).

The population of Greece is about 11 million people.
The capital of Greece is the city of Athens with a population of more than 3 million people.
The largest cities in Greece are Thessaloniki, Athens, Rhodes, Patras, Piraeus, Kastoria, Katerina, Heraklion. In total there are 76 cities in Greece. Many middle islands are considered a city, such as Kos or Mykonos.

Administrative divisions of Greece

Administratively, Greece is divided into 13 regions:
1. Attica
2. Central Greece
3. Central Macedonia
4. Crete
5. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
6. Epirus
7. Ionian Islands
8. North Aegean Islands
9. Peloponnese
10. South Aegean Islands
11. Thessaly
12. Western Greece
13. Western Macedonia

Agios Oros, better known as Athos, has a special administrative status. This administrative unit within the Hellenic Republic is self-governing by a community of Orthodox monasteries. The legislation of Mount Athos is based on a special document called Chrysobul, issued by Emperor John Tzimisius in 972 AD.

Regions in Greece are called peripheries, from this Greek word, in fact, the term “periphery” comes from, meaning “remote area, province.” The peripheries, in turn, are divided into prefectures, or nomes. Each number has its own serial number, which is used in government document flow for abbreviations and standardization.

Nomes, in turn, are divided into dims, territorial cells of local self-government. Dimas are not homogeneous in terms of the number of voters. Thus, in small towns or villages they are few in number, but in large cities they can consist of tens of thousands of people. Large dimas can be further subdivided into communities. Thus, the vertical of power in Greece begins, as befits the oldest democracy on the planet, from the very bottom.

Local governments, despite the unitary nature of the state, have fairly broad powers. The central government tries not to interfere in the internal affairs of the nomes, and they, in turn, grant the right of maximum self-government to the dimes. This structure of distribution of power has a beneficial effect on the state of affairs in the regions, and also minimizes corruption, since direct elections are held in local authorities.

Central government of Greece

The Greek Constitution in its modern form has existed since 1975, immediately after the overthrow of the Black Colonels regime. In 1983, the structure of the government finally acquired its modern form.

Legislative power in Greece is exercised by the Chamber of Deputies, the Greek parliament. Like local governments, the Chamber of Deputies is elected by direct universal suffrage. Elections are held every four years by vote in all prefectures.

The number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies is constantly changing. By law, the legislative body must have no less than 200 and no more than 300 candidates. The next session of the Chamber of Deputies meets once a year and lasts at least 5 months. At the beginning of each session, commissions are elected on various issues, which study the state of affairs in certain areas of legislation and introduce new bills for approval by the House.

The adoption of bills can be carried out at plenary sessions, general meetings of the Chamber of Deputies, or so-called sections, abbreviated meetings. The need to convene a plenary session to adopt certain laws is determined by the Constitution.

President of Greece

The President of the Hellenic Republic has the right of veto over any law passed by the Chamber of Deputies. Therefore Greece is a presidential republic. The president is elected for a five-year term and is vested with supreme legislative power. He also appoints the prime minister, who forms the government.

The relationship between the Chamber of Deputies and the Government, consisting of ministers, is regulated by the Constitution. The President of the Republic has the right to convene a special emergency body, the Council of the Republic, if the government has lost the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies.

The head of the Greek armed forces is also the President. It also determines the country’s foreign policy, priorities for the development of domestic policy and regulates the relationships between subjects of state power. However, the powers of the President of Greece also have a number of limitations. Thus, the President practically cannot dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, declare a state of emergency and announce general referendums without the approval of the Chamber of Deputies.

Greek citizenship

Since the Hellenic Republic is a member of the European Union, Greek citizenship gives the right to visit all European countries without a visa, as well as to live indefinitely in any of them. Greek citizens also have the right to work in most EU countries.

A Greek passport allows visa-free entry into the USA, Canada, most Latin American countries and many other countries. Greece has an agreement on a simplified visa regime with most countries of the world, making obtaining a visa an easy formality.

People who have resided in the country legally for at least 5 years are eligible to obtain Greek citizenship. Repatriates who return to their homeland have advantages in obtaining citizenship after two years, and their family members after three years of continuous residence in Greece.

Despite the deadlines established by law, the issue of granting citizenship is decided by a special commission strictly individually. Compliance with established parameters, such as the required period of time lived in the country, family, financial situation, lack of citizenship of other countries, etc. does not guarantee the granting of Greek citizenship unconditionally.

In some cases, citizenship of the Hellenic Republic is granted to foreigners for special services to the country, by decree of the President or decision of the Chamber of Deputies. A residence permit gives the right to live, work and study in Greece. The holder of a residence permit has the right to social assistance, medical care, and is obliged to pay taxes. Persons with a residence permit do not have the right to elect and be elected to government bodies.