Greece Facts

There are a lot of interesting facts about Greece. We collected some of them for you and your friends. Learn & share!

• Greece is one of the oldest nations in Europe, with a history going back thousands of years.

• Greece is officially called the Hellenic Republic.

• The total population of Greece is 11,304,000.

• There are about 2000 islands, only a few hundreds of which are inhabited.
  

  Greek’s highest elevation is the legendary home of Zeus and other Olympian gods and goddesses, Mount Olympus at 9,750 feet (2,917 meters).

• Greece is a very popular tourist attraction with 16.5 million tourists visiting each year.

• Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world.

• The weather in Greece is very nice, with 250 days of the year being sunshine.

• Thousands of birds stop in Greece’s wetlands on their migrations.

• Greece is the 2nd largest mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland.

• Athens is the oldest city in Europe, and the birthplace of democracy.

• The Greeks were the first to establish the Olympic Games, thousands of years ago.

• One of the most famous Greek Temples is the Parthenon. It was built in 438 B.C. for Athena, who was the Greek goddess of war.

• There are many Greek Myths, one of which is about the one eyed giant called the Cyclops.

• Santa Claus is Greek. (St Nicholas was a rich Greek that used to donate his money to the poor.

• Soccer (called football in Greece) in the national sport.

• Greece is the 3rd biggest producer and distributor of olives in the world.

• Greece produces approximately 7% of the worlds marble.

• It is compulsory for all Greek men to serve between one year and eighteen months in the Greek national forces.

• A large amount of the Greek population are superstitious.

• Greek people wave with a closed hand as it is considered rude to show your palm of you hand in public.

• No one in Greece can choose to not vote. Voting is required by law for every citizen who is 18 or older.

Interested in the Map of the Continent of Europe with Countries? Or maybe in printable Greece flags for kids?