Greece is a country that has fascinated many people for centuries. It is the cradle of Western civilization, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, theatre, the Olympic Games, and much more. The country is famous for its rich history and culture, its stunning natural beauty, and its mouthwatering cuisine. But how much do you really know about Greece and its people? Here are some of the fun facts and trivia that you might not know about this amazing country.
General Facts About Greece
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The official name of Greece is the Hellenic Republic, and Greeks call themselves Hellenes and the country Hellas.
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Greece is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, with 80% of its land covered by mountains.
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Greece has an impressive coastline of 16,000 kilometers (9,942 miles), making it the 10th longest coastline in the world. No part of the country is more than 137 kilometers (85 miles) away from the sea.
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Greece is made up of thousands of islands and islets, with only around 200 of them being inhabited. The largest island is Crete, followed by Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes, and Chios.
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Greece has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including world-famous sites like the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Meteora, and the Old Town of Corfu.
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Greece enjoys more than 250 days of sunshine a year, making it one of the sunniest countries in Europe.
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The capital and largest city of Greece is Athens, which is also one of the oldest cities in the world. It has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years.
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The population of Greece is around 10.7 million people, with a majority of citizens identifying as Greek Orthodox Christians.
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The currency of Greece is the euro, which replaced the drachma in 2002. The drachma was one of the oldest currencies in the world, dating back to the 6th century BC.
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The national anthem of Greece is called “Hymn to Liberty” and has 158 verses. It is also the national anthem of Cyprus.
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The national flag of Greece has nine stripes that represent the nine syllables in the Greek motto “Freedom or Death” and a cross that symbolizes the Greek Orthodox church.
Fun Facts About Greece
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Greece is famous for democracy, as it was the first example of this political system in the world. The word democracy comes from the Greek words “demos” (people) and “kratos” (power).
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Greece is also known for its philosophy, as it was home to some of the most influential thinkers in history, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, and Diogenes.
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Greece is the birthplace of theatre, as it was here that the first plays were performed in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. The genres of tragedy and comedy originated in Greece.
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Greece is where the Olympic Games began in 776 BC in Olympia. The games were held every four years until 393 AD when they were banned by Emperor Theodosius I. They were revived in 1896 in Athens.
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Greece has a diverse array of wildlife, with some animals being endemic to specific islands or regions. Some examples are seals, turtles, frogs, lizards, snakes, fish, butterflies, mice, and even the Kri-kri (the Cretan Wild Goat).
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Greece has a rich culinary tradition that dates back to ancient times. Some of the most popular dishes are moussaka (baked eggplant with meat sauce and béchamel), souvlaki (grilled meat skewers), tzatziki (yogurt with cucumber and garlic), feta cheese (made from sheep or goat milk), and baklava (filo pastry with nuts and honey).
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Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil in the world, after Spain and Italy. Olive trees have been cultivated in Greece for over 6,000 years, and some of them are over 2,000 years old.
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Greece is also one of the world’s leading producers of feta cheese, which accounts for 70% of the country’s cheese consumption. Feta cheese is protected by the European Union as a product of designated origin, meaning that only cheese made in Greece can be called feta.
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Greece has a vibrant coffee culture, with many people enjoying a cup of Greek coffee (also known as Turkish coffee) or frappé (iced coffee with foam) every day. Coffee shops are popular places to socialize and relax.
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Greece has many fun festivals and celebrations throughout the year, such as Easter, Carnival, Independence Day, and Ohi Day. One of the most unusual ones is the Rouketopolemos (Rocket War) on the island of Chios, where two rival churches fire thousands of homemade rockets at each other on Easter Sunday.
Trivia Facts About Greece
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The yo-yo was invented in Greece in 500 BC. It was originally made from wood, metal, or terra cotta and was used as a toy or a weapon.
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The word “marathon” comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians in 490 BC. He collapsed and died after delivering the message.
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The word “music” comes from the Greek word “mousike”, which means “the art of the Muses”. The Muses were nine goddesses who presided over various arts and sciences, such as poetry, history, astronomy, and dance.
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The word “alphabet” comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha and beta. The Greek alphabet has 24 letters and is one of the oldest writing systems in the world.
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The word “spartan” means austere or disciplined, and it comes from the name of Sparta, a city-state in ancient Greece that was known for its military prowess and strict lifestyle. The Spartans were famous for their bravery and loyalty, as exemplified by the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, where 300 Spartans fought against thousands of Persians.
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The word “typhoon” comes from the name of Typhon, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology that was the father of all monsters. He was defeated by Zeus and trapped under Mount Etna, where he caused volcanic eruptions and storms.
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The word “panic” comes from the name of Pan, a god of nature and shepherds in Greek mythology. He had the horns, legs, and tail of a goat and played a flute made from reeds. He was known for causing fear and confusion among humans and animals by making loud noises.
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The word “hermaphrodite” comes from the name of Hermaphroditus, a son of Hermes and Aphrodite in Greek mythology. He was fused with a nymph named Salmacis who fell in love with him and prayed to become one with him. He became a being with both male and female characteristics.
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The word “narcissism” comes from the name of Narcissus, a handsome youth in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He wasted away staring at himself until he turned into a flower.
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The word “tantalize” comes from the name of Tantalus, a king in Greek mythology who was punished by Zeus for his crimes. He was condemned to stand in a pool of water under a fruit tree, but whenever he tried to drink or eat, the water or fruit would recede from his reach.
References
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50 Fun Facts About Greece | CuddlyNest |
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