General information about Greece and and Greek civilisation

Greece Today

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, has been the crossroads of three continents since the dawn of civilization. As a historic hub for trade and population migrations, Greece has always been considered a strategic port of call. The metric system is used for weights and measures and standard automobiles are left-hand drive with manual transmissions (meaning that traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road, and it helps to know how to drive a stick shift!) In 2002 one of the world’s most historic monetary units, the Drachma, was replaced by the Euro currency. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euro. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euro. The time zone is GMT +2 and “daylight savings time” is implemented near every spring and fall equinox.

Important Holidays Observed:

New Year’s Day, 1st January; Epiphany 6th January; Carnival Period (late winter/early spring – the three weeks prior to the 1st day of Orthodox Lent “Clean Monday”) Independence Day, 25th March (commemorating the revolution against Turkish occupation); Orthodox Easter (spring break - movable); Pentecost (second weekend in June); The Assumption of The Holy Mother, 15th August; “NO” Day, 28th October (commemorating Greece’s refusal to surrender to Mussolini’s invasion forces in 1940); Christmas Day, 25th December.

Population:

There are actually many more Greeks living in satellite communities around the world than there are living within the physical borders of Greece itself. UN estimates place the current population of Greece a little over 11 million and the capital city of Athens hosts more than half of the nation’s population. Other major population centers include Thessaloniki –the “co-capital” as many call it, Patras in the Peloponese, Heraklion on the island of Crete and Ioannina in northwest Epirus. All of these cities host University campuses, a fact which contributes to their population density as well as the diversity of cultural activities, events and nightlife available there.

Ethnicities:

Greece, along with its native population, has historically attracted ex-pats from many ethnic backgrounds. This trend has become ever more evident over the last two decades. A large number of political and economic refugees have been added to the Europeans who have chosen to take up permanent residence in Greece. This has transformed all of the population centers as well as many resort areas into melting pots of ethnic and cultural diversity.

Languages Spoken:

Modern Greek is the country’s official language, however in most areas English is commonly spoken as a second language having been officially included in the primary and secondary school curriculum. Other languages such as French, German, Dutch, Russian, Italian and Spanish are also taught in private language schools throughout the country and their popularity directly reflects the ethnicities of the visitors most prevalent in any given area. Greek slang is also being influenced by the internet and the large number of Albanian, Bulgarian and former USSR immigrants who have been absorbed into local communities.

Hotel suggestions in Greece

Minos Beach Art Hotel

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Location: Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi, Crete

Open: April - October... A deluxe Five-Star, Waterfront Resort that holds the Quality System Certificate ISO 9001. Discreet luxury, impeccable service and unparalleled hospitality await you at the Mi

Pleiades Luxurious Villas

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Location: Plakes, Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi, Crete

Open: All Year ... Crete, the island of history and beauty inspired to create “Pleiades”, a constellation of seven exquisite villas plus 2 superior all overlooking the breathtaking gulf of Mirabel

Olympia Golden Beach

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Location: Kastro, Kyllini , Ilia, Peloponnese

Open: May - October... Olympia Golden Beach is the new 5 Star resort in Kyllini Beach, also known as Golden Beach. The exotic Kyllini Beach is one of the most beautiful Greek beaches providing beach v

Minoa Palace Resort & Spa Hotel

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Location: Platanias, Chania

Open: April - October... Minoa Palace Resort & Spa Hotel is a new luxury hotel and-low rise bungalows complex situated in the tourist area of Platanias, 12 km west of Chania town center and 24km f

Elinotel Apolamare

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Location: 63085 Chaniotis, Chalkidiki, Greece

Open: April to October....The 5 star Elinotel Apolamare enjoys a privileged location, right on the beach of Hanioti, and offering rooms decorated in baroque style.

Sakali Mansion

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Location: Pinakates – Pelion

Open: Year Round... Sakali Mansion accommodation complex offers a luxury experience blended with the traditional spirit of the famous villages of Pelion.