ABOUT GREECE

Greece is a country in southern Europe on the tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It is a country of beauty and contrasts, the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the small picturesque bays backed with pine covered mountains and fields of olive trees. Greece is regarded as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. It is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world's top 20 countries.

Interesting facts about Greece

• Greece has more than 2,000 islands, of which approximately 170 are populated. Greece’s largest island is Crete (8,260 sq. km.).
• Greek has been spoken for more than 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest languages in Europe.
• About 12 million people around the world speak Greek. They live mostly in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Albania, Turkey, and the United States, among other countries.
• Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world.
• Alexander the Great was the first Greek ruler to put his own face on Greek coins. Previously, Greek coins had shown the face of a god or goddess.
• Shipping has been one of the most important industries in Greece since ancient times. The Greek-owned fleet is the largest in the world with a total of 3850 ships. Aristotle Onasis was the most famous shipping magnate of the 20th century.

Practical Information

Local currency: The local currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR).

Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required for Greece.

Time Differences: Greece falls into GMT + 2 time zone. Greece operates daylight saving time. See the local time in Greece: http://localtimes.info/Europe/Greece/

Electric Power Voltage: In Greece 220V (50Hz) electrical outlets are standard.

The weather in June is usually sunny, very warm and pleasant. The temperature, on average, is around +25 to 30C;

In case of emergency

• The quick dial number for emergencies in Greece is 199 for fire, police or accident.
• Please note also that pharmacies in Greece are able to provide first aid for simple matters and give competent advice.

Other emergency numbers:

• First Aid emergency number 166
• Hospitals overnight emergency number: 106
• Pharmacies overnight emergency number in Athens: 107

Useful links

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece:
http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US

Introduction to Greece:
http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/
http://www.greeklandscapes.com/

Weather information:
http://www.wunderground.com/global/GR.html

Introduction to Greek islands:
http://www.greeka.com/

Map of Greece:
http://europa.eu/abc/maps/members/greece_r_en.htm

ABOUT ATHENS

Athens, the capital of Greece, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest cities of the world. Apart from being the economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural center of Greece, the city is also rapidly becoming a leading business centre in the European Union. The rich heritage and cultural legacy of Athens, evident in the form of its ancient monuments and works of art, is what brings tourists to the city. Here, you will find a beautiful mix of various architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman and Neo-Classical to Contemporary.

Interesting facts about Athens

• Athens is widely referred to as the ‘Cradle of Western civilization’ and the ‘Birthplace of Democracy’.
• Being continuously inhabited for at least 3,000 years, Athens boasts of being one of the cities with the longest history in the world.
• Athens is the largest city of Greece , and is also the capital of the Attica Periphery and the Athens Prefecture.
• The Athens Larger Urban Zone (LUZ) is the 8th most populated LUZ in the European Union.
• The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, in the year 1896. In 2004, Athens again played host to the Olympic Games.
• Athens became the leading city of ancient Greece in the first millennium BC.
• Athens is one of the world's main centres of archaeological research.
• Athens was the birthplace of many prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world, including Socrates, Pericles & Sophocles.

Useful links

Information about Athens:
http://www.breathtakingathens.com/

Brief history of Athens:
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/history.htm

Acropolis museum:
http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/?pname=Home&la=2

About Athens in Russian:
http://www.russianathens.gr/