Greece
Geography
Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is located in Southeastern Europe, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It shares land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The country is largely mountainous, with its highest peak, Mount Olympus, also known as the home of the ancient Greek gods, reaching a height of 2,917 meters.
Greece is surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas, and includes numerous islands, with estimates ranging from 1,200 to 6,000, depending on the minimum size considered. The largest of these islands is Crete, followed by Euboea, Lesbos, and Rhodes.
History
The history of Greece is one of the longest of any country, having been continuously inhabited for at least 5,000 years. It begins with the Cycladic civilization on the islands of the Aegean Sea at around 3200 BC, followed by the Minoan civilization in Crete (2700–1500 BC). The subsequent Mycenaean civilization on the mainland peaked in the 13th century BC before giving way to the Dark Ages.
The Archaic period in Greece (800 BC – 480 BC) was followed by the Classical period (480 BC – 323 BC), during which Greece reached its cultural zenith. The Hellenistic period (323 BC – 146 BC) saw the expansion of Greek culture across the Mediterranean and Asia, following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Culture
Greek culture has evolved over thousands of years, with its beginnings in the Mycenaean civilization and later the classical era, where the arts, philosophy, and politics were at their peak. This period saw the birth of Western philosophy, with thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle leaving a lasting impact on Western thought.
Greek culture is also known for its contributions to literature, with epic poets like Homer and tragedians like Sophocles and Euripides. The Greek language has a documented history of over 3,400 years, making it among the oldest of Indo-European languages.
Economy
The economy of Greece is the 51st largest in the world, with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of $209.85 billion per annum. It is also the 15th largest economy in the 27-member European Union. In terms of per capita income, Greece is ranked 40th or 50th in the world. The Greek economy is classified as advanced and high-income.