Greece, Ancient, was the birthplace of Western civilization about 2,500 years ago. The magnificent achievements of the ancient Greeks in government, science, philosophy, and the arts continue to influence our lives today.
Greece, officially called the Hellenic Republic (Greek: Ελληνική ΔημοκÏ?ατία), is a country in the southeast of Europe on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula. It has land boundaries with Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Albania to the north; and with Turkey to the east. The waters of the Aegean Sea border Greece to the east, and those of the Ionian and Mediterranean Sea to the west and south. Regarded by many as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of Democracy, Greece has a long and rich history during which its culture has proven especially influential in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Having exported chaos, drama, tragedy and democracy before most nations were staying up late enough to want souvlaki, Greece boasts an unrivalled legacy. But don’t expect a visit there to be a sober study of the ancient world - the Greek propensity for partying dates back to Dionysus.

From smoggy Athens to blindingly bright islands, ancient fragments abound - the belly button of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and even, quite possibly, the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini.

Greeks are fierce guardians of tradition, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to have fun. In addition, hot sun and limpid seas conspire to make Greece a perfect place to relax. Whether you’re supping in a beachside taverna, sipping coffee in a shady plateia or disco-dancing till dawn, chances are the gods already have you ensnared
Greece, the site of the 2004 Olympic Games, is about the size of the U.S. State of Alabama.

It’s almost totally surrounded by the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean, including the Aegean, Crete, Ionian and Thracian Seas.

The country includes over 2,000 individual islands (most uninhabited), and many quite small.

Long a favorite of travelers, these ancient islands (dating back to the Bronze Age), present a beauty and culture unique to the planet.

The Greece pages are currently being revised, but you can find additional information about the country