Greece Area - 131,957 square kilometers 50,949 square miles
Region - Southern Europe.Situated on the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is nearly
surrounded by seas. The Aegean lies to the east, the Mediterranean to the south, and the Ionian to the west.
Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria and Turkey are its northern
neighbors. The country includes more than 2,000 islands. Traditionally an agricultural nation, Greece produces wine, wheat, wool, cotton, olives, raisins, and tobacco. Industry accounts for about half of export earnings, of which the largest component is manufactured goods. Food and beverages, petroleum products, and minerals are the other main exports. Services account for a major part of the nation?s income, and tourism is an important foreign-exchange earner.
Capital is Athens. Main cities are:
Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraieus, Patrai, Peristeri, Iraklion, Kallithea, Larisa, Nikaia,Volos, Kavala, Serrai,
Khania, Trikala, Khaidharion.
Holidays, culture, etc.
Greece is steeped in traditional customs. Name days are celebrated rather than birthdays, whereas weddings and funerals all have special significance. There are also a succession of festivals and events which mark the calender. National public holidays in Greece are: January 1 - New Year's Day
The year kicks off with St Basil's feastday and it is customary to exchange
gifts on this day. A coin is hidden in the New Year's cake (vasilopitta), and
the person who finds the slice with the coin will supposedly have a lucky year. January 6 - Epiphany The feast commemorates Christ's baptism by St John. Religious ceremonies are held to bless the waters (seas, lakes and rivers). Crosses are tossed into the waters which swimmers dive in to fetch. February - Ash or Clean Monday
The Pre-Lenten carnival season draws to a halt on the first day of Lent.
Meat-eating and masquerading come to an end as people take to the hills with their families for the traditional koulouma picnic consisting of Lenten food such as squid, pickles, lagana unyeasted bread and beans. Kites are
traditionally flown on this day. March 25 - National Independence DayBishop Germanos hoisted the Greek flag which marked the start of the Greek War of Independence on March 25, 1821. Independence Day coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation which makes it a double feast. March/April - Good Friday/Easter Saturday/Easter Sunday/Easter Monday
Easter is the most important festival of the Greek Orthodox religion.
Parishioners take part in an Epitaph (shrouded bier) procession which they
follow around the streets with lighted candles. The Resurrection mass takes place on Saturday evening. At midnight, the lights are turned off, as the Holy Flame from Jerusalem is passed around parishioners who use it to light their lambades (Easter candles) as a symbol of Christ's Resurrection.
May 1 - Spring Festival/Labour Day
Flowers are gathered and made into wreaths to decorate houses.
June - Ascension Day
The Ascension of Christ is celebrated 40 days after Easter.
August 15 - Feast of the Assumption
There are celebrations throughout the country. The island of Tinos is a place of pilgrimage for thousands who come to see the miracle-working icon of Panagia Evangelistria. October 28 - Ohi (No) DayDictator Ioannis Metaxas refusal to allow Mussolini's troups to occupy Greece during WWII is commemorated with military parades and feasts throughout the country.
