Greece Travel OverviewGreece is a paradise for different kind of tourists. It is far out for the beach bum; it is great for the lover of the classics and it is a must see for anyone interested in knowing where civilization as we know it stems from. Located in southeastern Europe; Greece is bordered by Bulgaria; Albania; Turkey; and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Peninsula; which constitutes Greece; is surrounded by over a thousand tiny islands; of which less than 200 are inhabited. It is primarily a mountainous country with a major chunk of its landmass perched at over 1;500 m above sea level. Perhaps no nation in Europe can boast of a more ancient history than Greece. Greece's antiquity dates back to 3000 BC when the powerful Cycladic; Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations flourished here. The evolution of powerful city-states; especially Athens and Sparta; between 800 and 500BC produced the classical age of Athens which was the high point of the Grecian civilization. Under the leadership of Pericles; Athens ushered in an era of prosperity in all spheres: an era when Pericles himself commissioned the Parthenon; Democritus taught the concept of democracy; Sophocles wrote Oedipus Rex; and Socrates taught the intricacies of logic. Later; Alexander's conquest of the city-states was followed by the Roman invasions that began in 205 BC. Greece became a part of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century AD. This was followed by the Crusades; and by AD 1500; Greece came under Turkish control. The glorious history of Greece is reflected in the ruins and monuments that lie scattered all over the country. Although the capital Athens may seem a smog-filled city of high-rise flats; it has a special charm and grandeur. Besides the oft-visited Acropolis; the Parthenon; and the Theatre of Dionysus; the National Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of antiquities. The southern peninsula; the Peloponnesos; is known both for its picturesque scenery and rich history; and is made up of numerious distinct regions (such as Lakonia and Mani) that each have their own distict histories and appearances. The islands of Greece such as Crete ; Rhodes; and the Cyclades are also noted for thier picturesque scenery and rich histories. In mainland Greece; you have the magnificent Meteora monasteries. The mountainous terrain of Greece is ideal for trekking; while Mt. Parnassus near Delphi offers opportunities for skiing. In the east; Greece's second biggest city of Thessaloniki is absolutely worth a visit. The city has many monuments most of them dating back to Byzantine times. When you plan a trip to Greece try to visit at least the capital Athens ; a bit of the Peloponessos and one or two islands. You will then get a general idea of what this fascinating country has to offer. Athens is a great city with many interesting street fairs. Change history
Minor corrections by nahaj on 31 August 04
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