Geography and climate
Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands. On land, Greece borders Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Greece is washed by the Aegean Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea in the west, and the Mediterranean and Cretan Seas in the south.
Greece includes more than two thousand islands. The islands occupy one fifth of the territory of the entire country. All islands are divided into the following groups: the Ionian Islands, the Northern Aegean Islands, the Northern Sporades and the island of Euboea, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese group of islands and the largest island of the country – Crete.
The climate of Greece is divided into three types: Mediterranean, Alpine and temperate. Summers in Greece are mostly warm and even hot; precipitation is rare. Summer is most comfortable on the coast and islands. Winters in Greece are mild and cold snaps are rare. The most pleasant winter is in Crete and on the islands of the Aegean Sea, the coolest is in the mountainous part of Greece. The average summer temperature is +32 °C, winter – +10 °C. The seas in Greece warm up quite late – by June, but remain warm for a long time – until the end of November.
Economy and infrastructure
The Greek economy is based on services and tourism. Tourism provides more than 15% of the country’s GDP; 16.5% of the Greek population is employed in tourism. Industry and agriculture also make a significant contribution to the country’s budget.
Since 2009, the Greek economy has been experiencing a crisis, but since 2017 the trend has changed – the country’s economy began to grow. Greece exports petroleum products, medicines, aluminum, fresh fish and olive oil.
Greece has good communications. There are 15 international and 20 regional airports. It is also easy to move between the islands thanks to the large number of ports and berths (more than 110).
Greece has a network of railways stretching from the Peloponnese to Thrace. The road infrastructure is well developed throughout the country, with highways.
The Athens metro has 46 stops, allowing you to quickly move around the city. It is also planned to open a metro in Thessaloniki in 2023.
Ecology and nature
Greece is one of the countries with the cleanest sea water in Europe. The mild climate, tasty and healthy products, clean air – all this contributes to the high life expectancy of the local population. Thus, in 2020, the life expectancy of the average resident of Greece was 81.7 years.
The nature of Greece is extremely picturesque. The forests of Greece can be divided into two large groups: temperate deciduous forests and Mediterranean forests. Each of the forests is distinguished by its unique flora and fauna, each is beautiful in its own way. In addition to forests, Greece also has mountains, lakes and rivers, plains and even swamps. Underwater life is amazing and diverse, which is why diving enthusiasts also visit Greece. The Aegean Sea is the most popular among divers, as not far from the coast, under the waters of the sea there are rocky reefs that serve as home and shelter for marine life.
Advantages of living in Greece
The warm climate, gentle waters and rich cultural and historical heritage attract thousands of tourists to Greece – it is one of the most visited countries in the world. Life in Greece is calm and safe, with a low crime rate. The local population is friendly and open people. Moreover, 97% of the population of Greece are Orthodox.
In the list of countries on the Human Development Index for 2020, Greece ranks 32nd in the world ranking. Greece has a good level of medical care. The state is investing in healthcare, opening new clinics and purchasing modern equipment. Hospitals in major cities of Greece correspond to the average European level.
Cultural heritage
Greece has a rich cultural heritage. Ancient Greek culture formed the basis for the development of all Western civilization. Democracy, philosophy, physical and mathematical sciences, oratory, theater, the Olympic Games – all this originated and developed in ancient Greece.
The Acropolis of Athens is an outstanding architectural monument that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. The Acropolis is a 156-meter hill with a gently sloping top on which rests the remains of the Parthenon Temple and other ancient buildings. The Acropolis was the main residence of the king. Also on the territory of the Acropolis there were many temples in which prayers were offered to the gods and sacrifices were made.
In addition to the Acropolis, Greece has many remains of temples, stadiums, and palaces, which allow the modern visitor to see with his own eyes the full power and strength of the culture of ancient Greece. We will list only a few of the most important, because the list can be continued endlessly: the huge Panathinaikos stadium and the Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, the Temple of Apollo in the city of Delphi, the Meteora monasteries, rising on stone pillars in the city of Kalambaka, Ancient Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympic Games – on the Peloponnese peninsula.
In addition to ancient architecture, Greece also boasts stunning views. The island of Santorini is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful Greek islands. Everyone probably remembers what the famous white houses with blue roofs look like against the backdrop of the azure sea. Mount Olympus on the shores of the Aegean Sea is one of the most picturesque attractions. And Navagio beach on the island of Zakynthos is the pearl of the local region.
Education
A huge plus in obtaining higher education in Greece is that it is either free or inexpensive. In this case, the graduate receives a European diploma.
It is interesting that in Greece all universities are public. Private universities, however, also exist, but are not considered accredited. Public education in Greece is free not only for the local population, but also for foreigners.
Entrance exams are not required to enter the university; it is enough to provide the average score of the certificate. You can select up to 20 faculties from different universities. To do this, simply attach a list of faculties to your certificate of secondary education.