Greece

Why Western Europe?

• Could be part of east or west Europe

• Why west?– Mediterranean ties– Member of EU and

NATO– Birthplace of western

culture

History• Ancient Greece…….

– And what did happen to the Minoans?• Influence on others

– Democracy– Iliad, Troy, mythology

• Influenced by others– Military conquest…

• Roman empire• Byzantine Empire• Invastions – including Normans!• Turks

Physical Features

• 2000 islands• Northern Mountains

(Dinaric Alps)• Tectonic – Eurasian

and African plate boundary

Grabens

• Areas of land that have dropped down between faults and were flooded.

Economy- Agriculture

• Agriculture on narrow coastal plains– Wheat and grains– Olive and citrus

• Agriculture on rugged slopes– Sheep and goats– But sheep and goats

have overgrazed – leading to erosion

Economy - Shipping

• Piraeus – Greece’s largest port• One of the world’s largest shipping fleets• Shipbuilding

Economy - Tourism

Athens• One of the youngest capital cities in Europe

• Extremely old civilization• Contains over 1/3 of

Greece’s 10.5 million people

• VERY crowded… “There is only one solution to Athen’s traffic – live television coverage of an important international soccer match”

Islands

• Fewer than 200 of 2000 islands are inhabitable.

• Tourism• Crete is largest island

Fun Facts:• You are never more than 60

miles from the sea in this country!

Fun Fact: Marathon

• During the Persian Wars in 490 B.C. a runner was sent to Athens to report that the battle o Marathon had been won.

• Why is today’s marathon exactly 26 miles, 385 yards? Because it is based on the 1908 British Olympic Committee’s decision to start eh race that year from Windsor Castle and finish it in front of the royal box at the London Stadium!