🇬🇷 Greece
Greece is a country located in Southeast Europe, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria to the north, Turkey to the east, and the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west and south. The capital and largest city is Athens. The official language is Greek.
Greece has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. The ancient Greek civilization, which began around the 8th century BCE, had a profound influence on Western civilization, and its legacy can still be seen in modern society in areas such as philosophy, politics, literature, and art. Ancient Greece was divided into city-states, the most famous being Athens and Sparta.
In the 4th century BCE, Greece came under the control of Alexander the Great and his empire, which spread Greek culture and ideas throughout the Mediterranean world. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Greece was conquered by various other empires, such as the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Venetian Republic.
In 1821, Greece gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire and became a modern nation-state. During the 20th century, Greece experienced periods of political turmoil, dictatorship, and economic hardship.
In 1981 Greece became a member of the European Union, and today it is considered as a developed country with a high-income economy and a high standard of living. Greece is known for its ancient ruins, picturesque islands, beautiful beaches, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine. It's also famous for its rich culture and history, including the ancient sites like the Acropolis and the Olympic games, which originated in ancient Greece.
Greece Popular Food
#Moussaka #Gyros #Souvlaki #Dolmades #Spanakopita #Tzatziki #Greek Salad #Greek Coffee
Greece Travel Taboo
Greece is a relatively open and liberal country, and there are not many things that are considered taboo when it comes to travel there. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting:
- Drug use: Possession, use, and distribution of drugs, including marijuana, are illegal in Greece. Penalties for drug offenses can be severe and it is important to be aware of local laws and customs.
- Prostitution: Prostitution is legal in Greece, but it is regulated and there are strict rules in place. It's important to know that it is illegal to solicit sex on the street, and most sex-related services are only allowed in certain areas, known as "tolerance zones".
- Tolerance and Respect: Visitors should always be respectful of local customs and traditions, and avoid offending the locals, especially when it comes to sensitive issues such as religion.
- Political issues: Visitors should be mindful of the country's political situation, especially when it comes to issues related to immigration, the EU, and Greek-Turkish relations.
- Respect for Monuments and historic sites: Visitors should be respectful when visiting ancient sites and monuments, especially when they are still considered as sacred places.
- Be mindful of the dress code: Visitors should be aware that in some places, such as churches, monasteries and other religious sites, you may be required to dress appropriately.
- Overall, Greece is a welcoming country for tourists, and visitors should use common sense and be mindful of local laws and customs. As a general rule, it's always a good idea to be aware of and respectful of local customs and traditions when traveling, and to treat others as you would like to be treated.
Greece Local Food
Greece is known for its delicious and healthy Mediterranean cuisine, which is based on fresh ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, and seafood. Some popular local dishes include:
- Moussaka: A traditional Greek dish made with eggplant, ground beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce, often served with potatoes or rice.
- Gyros: A popular Greek fast food made of meat, traditionally pork or chicken, cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in a pita bread with tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce.
- Souvlaki: Similar to Gyros, it's another Greek fast food, made of meat skewers, traditionally pork or chicken, grilled and served in a pita bread with tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce.
- Dolmades: Stuffed grape leaves filled with rice, herbs, and sometimes ground meat.
- Spanakopita: A traditional Greek spinach pie, made with layers of phyllo dough and a filling of spinach, feta cheese, and herbs.
- Tzatziki: A popular Greek dip made of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs, often served as a side dish or an appetizer.
- Greek Salad: The classic Greek salad is made up of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green pepper, feta cheese, and olives, typically dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Greek Coffee: The traditional Greek coffee is a strong, unfiltered coffee which is made
Greece Festiaval
Greece has a rich cultural heritage and a wide variety of festivals and events that take place throughout the year. Some popular festivals include:
- The Athens and Epidaurus Festival: This festival is held annually in June and July, it features performances of ancient Greek dramas, music, and dance, it takes place in various venues across Athens and Epidaurus.
- The Thessaloniki International Film Festival: This festival is held annually in November, it features films from around the world, as well as lectures, workshops, and exhibitions.
- The Apokries: This is a three-week carnival which takes place in February and March, it celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it features colorful parades and costumes, music, and traditional celebrations.
- The Easter Celebration: Greek Easter is one of the most important holidays in Greece, it features various rituals such as the lighting of the Easter candles, the Resurrection processions, and the cracking of the red-dyed eggs.
- The Panhellenic Dance Festival: This festival is held annually in June, in the city of Chania, it features traditional dances from all over Greece, as well as music, costumes, and food.
- The Nafplion Festival: This festival is held annually in July, it features a wide variety of events, including music, theater, dance, and comedy, as well as traditional Greek food and drink.
- Overall, Greece has a wide variety of festivals and events for all tastes, there is always something happening throughout the year, visitors can find something that interests them and experience the local culture.
Greece History
Greece is a country located in Southeast Europe, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. It has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. The earliest known civilization in Greece is the Minoan civilization, which existed on the island of Crete from around 2000 BCE to 1450 BCE.
- The ancient Greek civilization, which began around the 8th century BCE, had a profound influence on Western civilization. Its legacy can still be seen in modern society in areas such as philosophy, politics, literature, and art. Ancient Greece was divided into city-states, the most famous being Athens and Sparta. During this time, Greece experienced a Golden Age and it is considered as the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, and the Olympic Games, among other cultural achievements.
- In the 4th century BCE, Greece came under the control of Alexander the Great and his empire, which spread Greek culture and ideas throughout the Mediterranean world. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Greece was conquered by various other empires, such as the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Venetian Republic.
- In 1821, Greece gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire and became a modern nation-state. During the 20th century, Greece experienced periods of political turmoil, dictatorship, and economic hardship. The country was occupied by Axis powers during World War II and went through a civil war in 1946-1949.
- In 1981 Greece became a member of the European Union, and today it is considered as a developed country with a high-income economy and a high standard of living. Greece's history and culture continue to play an important role in shaping its identity and shaping the world as we know it today.