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| Greek Islands. |
Greece Facts & Information
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| Location
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Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and
the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey |
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| Climate
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Temperate, mild wet winters, hot dry summers
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| Terrain
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Mountains with ranges extending into the sea
as peninsulas or chains of islands |
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| Population
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10,668,354 |
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| Nationality
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Greek |
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| Ethnic groups
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Greek 98%, other 2% |
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| Religions
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Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% |
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| Languages
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Greek 99% |
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| Government Type
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Parliamentary Republic |
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| Capital
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Athens |
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| Currency
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Euro (EUR) |
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| Description of Flag
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Nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating
with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy,
the established religion of the country |
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| Greece Flag
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More Information
 www.cia.gov
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Greek Islands Culture
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One of the most striking aspects
of Greek life is the people’s devotion to their religious
beliefs. Many homes have a designated place for statues and
images of religious icons. The islands harbor hundreds and hundreds
of churches, most of which are Greek Orthodox, the dominant
faith. During the spring, not only are the islands bustling
with visitors, but they are also immersed in preparations for
Easter. This is a time for reflection and cleaning, but there
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an exciting sense of pending celebration. When Easter arrives, Greek
families come together for feasting, drinking, and dancing.
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matter what village and island you visit, you will notice that Greeks
tend to have specific superstitions. While the exact guidelines
of the superstitions differ from village to village, there are general
symbols that almost all islanders will recognize. For instance,
when visiting the islands you will notice that almost all shops
sell small “evil eyes” to ward off jealousy and misfortune.
The presence of garlic is common, as that is thought to prevent
bad luck and evil spirits.
On the Greek islands, most of the people are always friendly and
willing to help if you get lost or have a question. The Greek people
are proud of their islands and want to share with you the beauty
and history of their land.
More Information:
www.state.gov
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Greek Islands Shopping
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You will never go home empty
handed after a visit to the Greek islands. All of the islands
have a wide array of small souvenir shops that sell items such
as key-chains, stamps, postcards, books, replicas of ruins,
blankets, and the infamous evil eye. Many islands also house
art galleries and high-end jewelers. Certain islands, such as
the luxurious Mykonos, serve a posh crowd, and boast numerous
designer stores such as Dolce and Gabbana and Diesel. Other
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sections of Mykonos are quainter. For instance, Little Venice has
shops hanging over the water, reminiscent of a time when islanders
had to be careful for pirates when unloading goods from ships. You
will also find outside markets that have been village tradition for
decades, and continue to sell fresh produce to locals and tourists
alike.
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Greek Islands
Restaurants
We’ve provided listings for some of the top restaurants in
Greek Islands including Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes and more.
You’ll find lavish gourmet restaurants, affordable restaurants
serving up good food, and everything in between. Sample traditional
Greek cuisine or other specialty cuisines that are sure to make
your taste buds happy.
Read reviews entered by other patrons and be sure to return to
our site to submit your own restaurant review.
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Greek Islands Travel Guides
Frommer's Greek Islands
Lonely Planet Greek Islands
Let's Go Greek Islands
Fodors Greek Islands
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