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

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

The capital of Greece Athens. The 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).

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

Let us dwell on a brief description of the features of each of the regions 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 lowlands- 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 realm of tourists and climbers.

Along the western borders of the region 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, defending their homeland from the invasion of the Persians. Nowadays, the motorway passes through Thermopylae Athens-Thessaloniki. Any educated person is told a lot by the names of the mountains and cities of Central Greece: Parnassus, Helikon, Thebes, Marathon, Delphi.

AT Central Greece the most important centers are concentrated modern life countries. On the peninsula of Attica, near the coast Aegean Sea, among a hilly plain 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 main city the nome 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 wooded mountains.

Northern Greece includes two historical areas: 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.

Largest city in Northern Greece Thessaloniki located on the hilly coast of the Thermaikos Gulf, near the confluence of the river. Vardar.

Western Greece located between the Ionian Sea and the remote, sparsely populated mountains of Pindus. The same area includes ionian islands. Yanina - administrative and shopping center Greek Epirus and the most Big city 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 south of the island Ithaca is the legendary birthplace of Odysseus. There are traces here ancient structures- the poetic grotto of the Nymphs and the fountain of Arethusa, which attract many tourists.

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

Over a thousand islands of the Aegean covers Eastern Greece. Some islands delight the eye with vegetation, others amaze the imagination with the wildness of their rocky, steep coasts.

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

Greece is the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Attractions, 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 in the east, the Ionian in the west, the Mediterranean in the south. Greece shares borders with 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 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

1. The official language is Greek.
2. Religion - Orthodoxy.
3. The population is 10.7 million people.
4. Area - 131,957 km².
5. Currency - euro.
6. Time - UTC +2, summer +3.
7. The capital is Athens.
8. 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 - Ohi Day, December 25-26 - Christmas. Religious holidays: clean Monday - 41 days before Easter, Easter, Pentecost - on the 50th day after Easter.
9. Electrical network - 230V (50Hz).
10. Visa - Schengen.
11. Greece is a safe country. The most dangerous are theft and fraud.

Geography and nature

Greece is located in the south Balkan Peninsula. The country is washed mediterranean sea, in particular: the Ionian, Aegean and Libyan Seas, which are part of its water area. 20% of the territory of Greece is located on numerous islands.

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

• Continental Greece (Greek Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, the central part of the country).
• Peloponnese - 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 about 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: hares, badgers, porcupines, turtles, numerous snakes and lizards. Also there are foxes, bears, lynxes, 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 the holiday. beach season starts 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 not so hot, and the water is still as warm as in summer. To explore the richest cultural and historical heritage Greece is perfect for March and April.

Story

Human footprints in Greece date back to the Paleolithic era. In the third millennium BC. Minoan civilization arose on the island of Crete, which subsequently spread to the continent. During this period, early states, writing, crafts, navigation, trade develop. The Minoan civilization is replaced by the Helladic and Mycenaean. The Mycenaean culture was destroyed by the invasion of the Dorian tribes. It also led to the decline of early Greek cities and the loss of writing.

After the invasion of the Dorians, Greek culture began to develop almost from scratch. The next period in history Ancient Greece is called Polisny. In the 8-6th century 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 fell on the 5th-4th century BC. This period in history is called classical. It ended with the rise of Macedonia and the loss of the independence of the policies.

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

After the defeat of the united army of policies, the Corinthian Union was created, headed by Macedonia. A new period of Greek history begins - the Hellenistic. The campaigns of Alexander the Great are considered to be its beginning, and the end is the conquest of the Hellenistic states by Rome. Interestingly, after the conquest of Greece, Macedonia adopted its culture. Alexander himself was a big fan of Greek civilization, so Greek culture spread to all conquered countries.

The Romans owned the Greek territories from the 1st century BC. before 3rd century AD Many Roman emperors admired the culture of Greece and borrowed a lot from it. In the 1st century A.D. 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 the western European states. In 1453, Byzantium fell under the onslaught of the Ottomans, and Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire.

Greece gained its independence in 1830 after a long national liberation war. During the Balkan Wars, the state even increased its territories. After World War I, Greece entered into a war with Turkey led by Atatürk, 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 rejection of the Nazis on October 28 as Ohi Day.

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

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

Administrative division Greece:

1. Attica - administrative center the city of Athens.
2. Macedonia - Thrace - the administrative center of the city of Thessaloniki.
3. Epirus and Western Macedonia - the administrative center is the city of Ioannina.
4. Thessaly and Central Greece - the administrative center is the city of Larissa.
5. Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionia - the administrative center of the city of Patras.
6. Aegean Islands - the administrative center of the city of Piraeus.
7. 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 do not really like to work, but they love rest and leisure. The Greeks take politics and sports very seriously, value their culture and history. They are also very sensitive to the issue of Macedonia and relations with Turkey. Therefore, in conversations it is better to avoid disputes on these topics. It is also better not to bring up the topic that Greece is Eastern Europe or a typical Balkan country. In conversation, the 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 located in Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Corfu, Rhodes. The largest national carriers are Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines. Also, Easy Jet (London, Berlin, Paris, Milan), SkyEurope (Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, Budapest and Krakow) and many others fly to Greece.

The largest railway junction is Thessaloniki, from where trains run to Budapest, Istanbul, Sofia, Bucharest. By bus to Greece can be reached from many major cities Southern Europe as well as Bratislava, Prague and Munich. most popular road routes 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.

Greek cities 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 the 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, bright events and a rich cultural life. Thessaloniki - ancient city with many artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past. Ancient Byzantine churches and history Center included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO.

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. For several centuries it belonged to the Venetians, so it is famous for its elegant Italian architecture, Venetian fortresses and beautiful streets.

Nafplio is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in the country, located in the east of the Peloponnese peninsula. This is the first capital of independent Greece with a beautiful waterfront 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 ancient cities Greece. Here you can touch the antiquities of the Minoan civilization, see the legendary ruins of the Knossos Palace, underground labyrinths where 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 interesting ancient sights - the ruins ancient acropolis and Neolithic settlements.

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

Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands, which is part of the Dodecanese archipelago. You should definitely visit 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 in Greece, 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 crowned with 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 sights - 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. Known for the ruins of a huge ancient palace, built in the second millennium BC. According to myths, the labyrinth of the minotaur was located 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 is 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 place 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. Known for the ruins of the temple of Asclepius and the ancient theater built in the 4th century BC. The theater has been very well preserved. It is known for its acoustics and is still used today for performances.

Temple of Poseidon - the ruins of an ancient Greek temple on the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula, 70 km from Athens. This building was built in the 5th century BC. At the same time, the first temple was destroyed by the Persians. According to the 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 a museum open sky where you can see the ancient Greek ruins.

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

Meteora Monasteries is 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, which 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. Until our time, only 6 monasteries have survived.

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

Zagorochoria is a region in the northwest of Greece, which is known for its beautiful landscapes 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 here (in the cave) John wrote the book of the Apocalypse.

Accommodation

Greece is one of the most popular countries world, included in the TOP-20 in the world in terms of tourist flow. Here you can find a huge number of options for living from expensive hotels and luxury villas to small modern hotels and inexpensive hostels. The cost of living and housing offers depends entirely on the season and the 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 a variety of vegetables, cereals 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 barbecues.
• 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, seasoned with olive oil.
• Fried octopus.
• Moussaka is a baked puff pastry with eggplant, stuffed meat, tomatoes and white sauce.
• Tiropita is a cheese pie.
• Saganaki is fried cheese.
• Stifado - beef stew in sauce.
• Spetsofai - stewed sausages with peppers and tomatoes.
• Galaktobureko - quiche.

Popular drinks:

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

The regions of Greece are called decentralized administrations. There are seven of them in the country, they combine parts of the Greek mainland and clusters of islands. The main purpose of such a division is the decentralization of government in the country. The regions of Greece listed below with the 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 on 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 peninsula of Halkidiki, divided into three “teeth”, belongs. One of them is the holy land of Athos. central city are 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 faces the Ionian Sea. Along it lies the seaside town of Igoumenitsa. This part of Greece is especially replete with monuments of the Byzantine era. Its center is Yanina, once the property of Turkey.

Central regions of Greece

• Thessaly and Central Greece

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

• Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionia

The huge peninsula of the Peloponnese is washed by the Ionian Sea from the west, and the Mediterranean Sea 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 there 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

Probably, this region is the first thing that is remembered when it comes to Greece. with their Acropolis, many antique 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.

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

Official name of Greece:
Greek Republic.

Territory of Greece:
The area of ​​the state of the Hellenic Republic is 131,940 km².

Greece population:
The population of Greece is more than 10 million inhabitants (10964020 people).

Ethnic groups of Greece:
The majority of the population of Greece are Greeks - 92%. The only official minority are the Muslims of Thrace and the Dodecanese, including Turks - 0.8%, Pomaks (Bulgarian-speaking Muslims, 0.3%) and Muslim Gypsies (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. Rating 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 position 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 to the coast of Asia Minor. Greece borders with 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.
AT mainland Greece includes: Macedonia - the northern region of Greece, bordering on Albania (Janina, Igoumenitsa), Bulgaria (Rhodopi) and Macedonia (Kastoria, Chalkidiki); Thrace - the northeastern region bordering Bulgaria and Turkey (Alexandropol, Komotini); Epirus - the northwestern region bordering Albania (washed by the Ionian Sea); Thessaly is the most flat region, from the east it is washed by the Aegean Sea (Larisa, Volos, Trikala);

Central Greece - the central part of Greece (Chalcis, 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 (5 km wide), 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 - the second largest, after Crete, the island of Greece (3.9 thousand km²), connected to the continent by a bridge; Lesbos is one of major islands Greece (1.6 thousand km²); Northern Sporades - the islands of Skyros, Skopelos, Jura, Iliodramia, and others in the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea; Cyclades - "kyklos" in Greek - forming a ring, an archipelago in the central and southern parts of the Aegean Sea (the islands of Amorgos, Andros, Sifnos, Santorini, Timos, Kitnos, 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, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Leros, etc.).

The Greek landscape is an alternation of rocky, usually treeless mountains, densely populated valleys, numerous islands, straits and bays.
Picturesque rocks, beaches, exotic grottoes provide great opportunities for recreation at sea and mountain tourism. The wide distribution of limestones, especially in the western part of Greece, has led to the formation of sinkholes, caves, giving the landscape a peculiar wild look and attracting lovers to try their hand at speleology. Mountain ranges occupy almost a quarter of the surface of the territory of Greece. These are predominantly medium-altitude mountains (up to 1200-1800 m). Highest point Greece - Mount Olympus (2917 m). Pindus, Parnassus, the mountain range in the north of the 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 the plains prevail on west coast. About 44% of the territory is under forest and shrubs. National parks of Greece: Vikos-Aoos, Mikra-Prespa, Eta and others. When walking in the mountains, it must be remembered that there are many reptiles in Greece (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 most long river Greece - Alyakmon (almost 300 km). Other major rivers- Ebros, Nestos, Strimon, Vardar, Acheloos. Rivers are not suitable for navigation, but they play a rather large role as sources of energy.

Administrative-territorial division of Greece:
The administrative division of Greece comprises 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 who are appointed by the government. The secretaries general are the representatives of the government. They support central government functions and services and assist the government in formulating regional development policies.

The state structure of Greece:
Greece is a unitary state, consisting of 13 administrative units - regions. In 1983, it was legally established that questions local importance are in charge of 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 most seats in parliament. The government headed by the prime minister is responsible to the parliament.

Legislative power in Greece is vested in the Chamber of Deputies, a unicameral representative body elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 4 years.
The Chamber of Deputies consists of not less than 200 and not 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 may be re-elected for another term.
The President is empowered to declare war and conclude treaties with other countries. He appoints the prime minister and, on the recommendation of the latter, the other members of the government. The President may call special sittings of Parliament and dissolve it on the proposal of the government or with the consent of the Council of the Republic. The Council is composed 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 vice-premiers).
The government is formed by the party that wins the majority of seats in Parliament. The leader of that party becomes prime minister. Within 15 days from the moment he takes the oath, the Government must raise the issue of confidence before the Parliament. The Chamber of Deputies has the right to "take back its confidence" in the Government or one of its members. A resolution of reproof may only be introduced 6 months after the House has rejected the previous resolution. The resolution of reprimand 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 the ministerial liability laws, members of the Council of Ministers and state secretaries are 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 the regional administration. The first level of local authorities consists of municipalities and communities, which are responsible for solving local issues. The total number of communities and municipalities is less than 1,000. The second level of local government is 51 prefectures, headed by prefectural councils and prefects, who since 1994 have been directly elected by citizens. Local authorities of the second level 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, governments, laws and other state attributes).

The population of Greece is about 11 million people.
Capital Greece - city Athens with a population of over 3 million.
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
9. Peloponnese
10. South Aegean
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-governed by a community of Orthodox monasteries. The legislation of Athos is based on a special document called Chrysovulus, issued by Emperor John Tzimisius in 972 AD.

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

Nomes, in turn, are subdivided into dims, territorial units of local self-government. Dimas are not homogeneous in terms of the number of voters. So, in small towns or villages they are not numerous, and in major cities may consist of tens of thousands of people. Large dimas can be further subdivided into communities. Thus, the vertical of power in Greece begins, as it should be for the most ancient democracy on the planet, from the very bottom.

Local self-government bodies, 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 dims. Such a 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.

Greek central authority

Greek constitution in modern form has existed since 1975, immediately after the overthrow of the regime of the Black Colonels. In 1983 the structure state structure finally acquired a modern look.

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 voting in all prefectures.

The number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies is constantly changing. By law, the legislature must have at least 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 that study the state of affairs in certain areas of legislation and submit 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, reduced 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 to veto 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 the highest 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, in case the government has lost the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies.

The head of the armed forces of Greece is also the President. It also determines the country's foreign policy, the priorities for the development of domestic policy and regulates the relationship between the subjects of state power. However, the powers of the President of Greece have a number of limitations. Thus, the President practically cannot dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, declare a state of emergency and call 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.

Greek passport entitles visa-free entry in the USA, Canada, most of Latin America and many other countries. With most countries in the world, Greece has an agreement on a facilitated visa regime, which makes obtaining a visa an easy formality.

The right to obtain Greek citizenship is held by people who have legally resided in the country for at least 5 years. Repatriates who have returned 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 the established parameters, somehow the necessary period lived in the country, marital, financial status, lack of citizenship of other countries, etc. does not guarantee the granting of Greek citizenship unconditionally.

In some cases, the citizenship of the Hellenic Republic is granted to foreigners for special services to the country, by decree of the President or by the 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 is entitled to social assistance, medical service is required to pay taxes. Persons with a residence permit do not have the right to elect and be elected to government bodies.