
Aigaleo.ĭid you know that Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil in the world? Greeks have cultivated olive trees since antiquity. Bottoms up!Īthens is one of the few coastal cities worldwide that is surrounded by mountains. Greece has one of the richest varieties of wildlife in Europe, including 116 species of mammals, 18 of amphibians, 59 of reptiles, 240 of birds, and 107 of fishes.ĭo you know what rakomelo is? It is a Cretan hot cocktail! A delicious mixture of honey, spices and the alcoholic beverage tsikoudia. The species and subspecies of the native plants in Greece are about 6,000, almost as much as 50% of the native plants of Europe!Ĭrete, Greece’s largest island and birthplace of the Minoan Civilisation, is the most southern one, except for the little island of Gavdos! The very first sprint race of the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. However Greeks call their country Hellas or Hellada. Greece' s official name is Hellenic Republic. His face is seen today on the sommelier’s pin which is a symbol of respect to wine’s contribution throughout history.ĭid you know that Greece has around 6,000 islands, islets and rocky islets? 2,000 of them are islands and only 107 of them are inhabited! Take for example Dionysus, the son of Zeus, the God of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine. Greece has historically engaged in wine making. Greece is a leading producer of sea sponges. The Greek word demokratia (δημοκρατία) meant “the power of the people”.ĭid you know that in Greece you can enjoy mountain skiing with a sea view? Τhe concept of democracy developed in Athens around the 6th century BC. Some of the olive trees that are still producing olives date back to the thirteenth century. He is credited as giving the first explanation for the origin of the world that was not mythological.ħ00 plant species of Greece are endemic, meaning that they may be found only in Greece approximately 20% of those are aromatic or medicinal plants.ĭid you know that Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil in the world? Greeks have cultivated olive trees since antiquity.

The first philosopher is considered to be Thales of Miletus (c. His achievements and conquests gave rise to the later Hellenistic period (323 BC - 31 BC). Alexander the Great conquered land all the way from Greece to Asia. Alexander the Great, one of history’s greatest warriors and leaders of all time, was Greek.
