If you forget everything you learned in history class? Well, check these interesting facts on Greece, one of the oldest countries in the world.

 

Chances are you’ve learned much about the Greece history throughout the years class and the flock of tourists of this fascinating country year after year. Some come to historic monuments and stories, of course. You expect that from one of the oldest civilizations in the world.

Others come for the food, and we cannot say that blame us them either. And if the food and history are not your cup of tea, well well, you could come to the Islands, mountains or any other number of reasons.

Honestly, we think you should visit for all the reasons listed above and more, but we will leave the exact motivations up to you. This article will touch on only a few interesting facts about the Greece, but believe us when we say, there is much more waiting for you there. You’ll love every minute you spend enjoying the Sun on the beach, or look at some of the most ancient monuments, that you can find.

1. The Oldest Capital of the Greece

Athens is the capital of the Greece, and the first inhabitants of this town were present around the 11th-7th Millennium BC. What is one of the oldest cities in the world. Athens is a mixture of the old and the new, a draw for many tourists today.

You can visit the structures such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis or the Philopappos Monument from the Roman era and revel in the ancient history or meet a more modern of the Greece. Or you can do both in the same day, if you choose. It is not surprising that more than 40% of the citizens of the Greece live in the capital Athens.

2. The Parthenon was built in Honor of Athena

You probably remember learn the Parthenon in high school history class, but maybe you didn’t know how fascinating (and important) this building was really. It was built as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena in 438 BC.The Parthenon is regarded as one of the greatest monuments of the world. While it is built as a temple, it has mainly been used as a treasure and in the 5th century, was transformed into a Christian Church. Once the Ottoman Empire took over, it was converted into a mosque in the 1460s.

It was then when the sacred building was damaged after an ammunition dump was fired and exploded, causing severe damage to the building and sculptures it contains.

3. Yes, Athens was named after Athena

In Greek mythology, it is said that the first King of Athens, Cecrops, was to find a patron deity of the city-state of Athens. Two Greek gods were interested in the position, the first being of Poseidon, the God of the seas and the second being Athena, the goddess of wisdom and competence.Cecrops, has asked both offer a gift that would be useful to the city. Poseidon gave water, which as many can imagine, would be extremely useful. However, the water is salty and not at all useful for the population.

Athena created an olive tree, symbol of peace and prosperity, and the King was impressed by his gift, so give him the honour and by naming the town after it. Poseidon was not too happy about this and cursed the city of Athens to never have enough water from that day.

4. Producer of Olives

The Greece is the third largest producer of olives in the world. Olive trees were planted by the Greeks since antiquity and still today still be big business. Given the popularity of olives in Greek cuisine, should therefore not be surprised.It is estimated at approximately 120,000,000 olive trees in Greece, and some of the olive trees in the 13th century are still olives today.

5. The Greece has more than 100 Archaeological museums

Perhaps more than any other country, the Greece has a large number of archaeological museums for history buffs to explore. Often located close to the excavation sites, these museums offer a glimpse into the history of the ancient Greece.

While some museums are dedicated to a specific time period such as those devoted to the Byzantine Empire, others are devoted to specific topics such as theatrical art and painting. You can even visit the museums dedicated to science, technology and art and history of navigation. A trip to Greece could actually be learning from life experience.

6. Greek Has Several Islands

Yes, it is a fact. It is estimated that the Greece has anywhere from 1 200 to 6,000 islands, according to the minimum size to consider. But of all these islands, between 166 and 227 only are inhabited. The largest of the Greek Islands is the Ridge which is at the southern end of the Aegean Sea, but there is an island to fit any mood.

Interested in a picturesque view with adorable villas perched above the world? Santorini could be perfect for you. Looking to relax by a beautiful beach, Hydra sounds right up your alley. Each island is a little different, with its own unique appeal. It is certainly interesting to check if you are never tired of hanging around on dry land!

7. The Greek Has Largest varieties of wildlife in all of Europe

In addition to their history and the Islands, the Greece is known for its variety of wildlife due to its geographic diversity. You have the coasts and Islands, but the rest of the Greece is composed of hills and mountains, which gives many species the right environment to thrive. Mammals such as the Fox, deer, elk, bear and a rare white goat called the appeal of Kri - Kri, country houses, among many others.

But it isn’t just the mammals that live here; There is also an abundance of reptiles and amphibians, including some snakes. Unfortunately, many animals are in danger of extinction, including half of the population of mammals.

8. Modern Greece is only a small part of what it was

Modern Greece is the centre of the ancient Greek civilization. The ancient Greece used to cover the Italy southern, coastal areas of the Turkey and the Black Sea, as well as colonies in Africa, France and Spain. At the height of his empire, Greece actually reached to the extent where the Russia to the East and Turkey in the South. Now, the country is about the size of Alabama in the United States.

Beautiful beaches and Islands, buildings built before the birth of Jesus… The Greece really seems to have it all. The only question that remains is when you want to plan your trip.

9. The Ancient Olympic Games were nothing like the Olympic Games today

Yes, we all know that the Olympic Games began in Greece, about 2,700 years ago, but they were not the same as those we know today. In the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, it there was only one event, not the multitude that we see now, and it was a short 200 metre sprint. In fact, during the first 15 games, running was the only sport they contain.

Thousands of people from the Greece would come to watch the game, as the main stage, which was held in 45 000 people. Even in times of war, the pleasure then. During the games, Olympics, the Greeks would be put aside a month as a truce for athletes and spectators from different parts of Europe may participate in the games.And there is no medal gold, silver and bronze for those who won just olive wreaths for the winner and possibly money or jars filled with olive oil and celery sticks.

10. Greek’s Highest Point is the Place of Gods

Mount Olympus is the highest point of the Greece, and it was supposed to be the abode of gods and goddesses. Mount Olympus stands at 9,750 feet. If you’re the kind of climbing, you can visit Olympus and even reach its heights. You would probably start in the town of Litochoro, translating to the city of the gods because of its location.

Climbing the mountain is not impossible for many people, with the exception of the last section of the Mytikas peak which is difficult to climb, but 10,000 people are estimated to climb the mountain each year. So far, not a single one of them is struck to Zeus, however.

For feedback join us:

Email: topxpedia@gmail.com