Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and other anti-communist and communist rebels. Following the latter’s defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974 following the collapse of the dictatorship, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 2001. Greece has suffered a severe economic crisis since late 2009, due to nearly a decade of chronic overspending and structural rigidities. Since 2010, Greece has entered three bailout agreements with the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the IMF. The Greek Government agreed to its current, $96 billion bailout in July 2015, which will conclude in August 2018.
🇬🇷 Greece Tourism Information…
🇬🇷 The Best of Greece…
Central Greece
- Divisions: Attica, Central Greece, West Greece
- Cities:
- Athens
- The Acropolis,
- Lamia
- Patras
- Athens
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Other Sights & Attractions:
- Delphi
Greek Islands
- Island Groups:
- Crete
- Cyclades Islands – (Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Ano Koufonisis, Donousa, Folegandros, Iraklia, Kato Koufonisis, Kea, Ios, Kimolos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Schinousa, Sifnos,, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos)
- Dodecanese Islands – (Agathonisi, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Leros, Lipsi, Nisyros, Patmos, Tilos)
- East Aegean Islands – (Chios, Fourni, Ikaria, Lesbos, Lesvos, Samos)
- Ionian Islands – (Antipaxos, Corfu, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Paxos, Zakynthos)
- North Aegean Islands – (Agios Efstratios, Limnos, Samothraki, Thasos)
- Rhodes
- Saronic Gulf Islands – Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses)
- Sporades Islands – (Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses)
- Cities:
- Corfu
- Heraklion
- Rhodes
- Towns
- Chainia
- Ithaca
- Thira
Northern Greece
- Divisions: Central Macedonia, East Macedonia & Trace, Epirus, West Greece
- Cities:
- Ioannina
- Kavala
- Komotini
- Kozani
- Thessaloniki
- Towns:
- Chersonissos
- Villages:
- Other Sights & Attractions:
The Peloponese
- Divisions: Peloponese
- Cities:
- Tripoli
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Other Sights & Attractions:
- Olympia
Thessaly
- Divisions: Mount Athos, Thessaly
- Cities:
- Karyes
- Larissa
- Volos
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Other Sights & Attractions:
- Meteora
- Mount Athos
|
Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit. |
Milos Mykonos Naxos Paros Santorini Crete Elafonissi Knossos Samaria GorgeDelphi Dodecaneses Islands Patmos Rhodes Epidarius Ioanian Islands Corfu Kefalonia Melissani Cave Myrtos Beach Zakynthos Lindos Meteora Mt. Athos Mycenae Mystras Olympia Peloponnese Thessaloniki Zagori |
🇬🇷 Greece Country Information…
Capital:
Athens
Largest City:
Athens
Government:
Parliamentary Republic
Currency:
Euro (€)
Area:
Total: 131,957 km2 land: 130,647 km2 – Ranked 97th water: 1,310 km2
Climate:
temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Population:
110,773,253 (July 2016 est.) ranked 85th
Language:
Greek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1%
Ethnic Groups:
Population: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census)
note: data represent citizenship, since Greece does not collect data on ethnicity
Religion:
Greek Orthodox (official) 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Electricity:
230V, 50Hz (European plug C, F, )
Telephone Code:
+30
Local Emergency Phone Number:
Ambulance: 112, 166; Fire: 112, 199; Police: 112, 100
Internet TLD:
.gr
Time Zone:
EET (UTC+2) / Summer EEST (UTC+3) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Road DrivingSide:
Right
Anthem:
Il : Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν
Motto:
Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος, “Freedom or Death” (traditional)
President:
Ekaterini Sakellaroulou
Prime Minister:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis
🇬🇷 Holidays and Observances in Greece in 2021
| Date | Name | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | De facto holiday |
| Jan 6 | Wednesday | Epiphany | De facto holiday |
| Jan 30 | Saturday | The Three Holy Hierarchs | Observance |
| Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
| Mar 15 | Monday | Clean Monday | De facto holiday |
| Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season |
| Mar 25 | Thursday | 25th of March (national holiday) | National holiday |
| Mar 25 | Thursday | Annunciation of the Lord | National holiday |
| Apr 30 | Friday | Orthodox Good Friday | De facto holiday |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labor Day / May Day | National holiday |
| May 2 | Sunday | Orthodox Easter Sunday | Observance |
| May 3 | Monday | Orthodox Easter Monday | National holiday |
| May 4 | Tuesday | Day off for Labor Day / May Day | National holiday |
| Jun 20 | Sunday | Orthodox Holy Spirit Sunday | Observance |
| Jun 21 | Monday | Orthodox Holy Spirit Monday | De facto holiday |
| Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season |
| Jul 24 | Saturday | The Restoration of Democracy | Observance |
| Aug 15 | Sunday | Dormition of the Holy Virgin | National holiday |
| Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
| Oct 28 | Thursday | The Ochi day | De facto holiday |
| Nov 17 | Wednesday | Polytechneio | Observance |
| Nov 21 | Sunday | Armed Forces Day | Observance |
| Dec 21 | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | National holiday |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | Synaxis of the Mother of God | National holiday |
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports:
$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)