 Geographical Overview
The philosopher Aristotle (384-322 bce) had already pointed out that his countrymen lived around the Aegean Sea like frogs around a pond. The sea has always been associated with them. No Greek habitat is further than fifty miles from the convoluted shoreline that gives rise to an endless variety of natural bays, gulfs, inlets, lethal, rock cliffs, and gentle beaches. Africa may cover nearly three hundred times the size of Greece; it coasts is only three times longer. Greek territory is surrounded by three seas: the Aegean the Ionian, and the Mediterranean. Across, its pristine blue waters are scattered more than 3,000 islands, islets, and rock islands. The father of Western mysticism, George Gurdjieff , an early-twentieth-century Anatolian Greek, proposed that philosophical speculation was developed by those ancient Aegan fishermen, who, when stranded by the weather, would seek shelter in quiet places. To escape their boredom, he wrote, they played mental games, which the brighter ones developed into the Greek sciences that shaped humanity. Today, in those same sheltered recesses of the Aegean isles, people choose to relax, practise nudism, or read lengthy novels.
The mainland consists of interlaced mountain chains. Some of them descend abruptly into the sea, and may reappear in rows of islands. The terrain was difficult to cross and therefore ideal for the rise of the ancient independent city-states. Later, it she sheltered Greek communities from invaders, offering vantage points for opening schools, and for fighting back. The physical features of the country and its unique archipelago forged a pronounced individuality and strong local patriotism. It was only in the 1990s that a comprehensive road network began linking the country, but even so, it remains an adventure to cross it east to west. The largest plain is in Thessaly (central Greece), birthplace of the Centaurs, and stretching beneath Mount Olympus. Some islands, such as Crete, Corfu or Chios, are large enough or in such strategic geopolitical locations to have sustained what might be labelled as a near- autonomous Hellenic civilization.
Climate
Greece has a Mediterranean climate. The further south you go, the warmer it gets. The best time are from May to mid June, and from September to late October, with temperatures in the range of 68-82ºF (20-28ºC). Summers are hot, normally over 90ºF (32ºC). Occasionally, a northern summer breeze, called meltémi , brings the temperature down to a bearable level. Winter months can see temperatures fall below 50ºF (10ºC), especially in northern Greece. Some of the islands experience great humidity. Macedonia, Epirus, and Thrace often have snow and mist in the winter. The Ionian Islands enjoy a wetter climate.
Hellenic republic if Greece?
Which is the proper name for Greece? Most of us are familiar with both terms. Aristotle observed that near Dodoni , in the northern province of Epirus, the Hellenes were referred to by their neighbours as Grekoi . The latter term was adopted (some would say pejoratively) by the Romans; it was popularized after Christianization. Another theory is that a Hellenic tribe moved to Sicily. Asked where they had originated from, they said Graia , their small city in Boe o tia ; hence, later, the Romans adopted the name Graeci . There are other theories, too.
Today, the official name of the country is Hellenic Republic, or Elliniki Dimokratia . The people, in their own language call themselves Hellenes, and the country Hellas and Ellada . In EU documents, the acronym El refers to Elliniká , or Greek. The reference involving the term “Greek” are more usual. In maps and international organizations the country is mentioned as Greece. At sporting events we see the acronym GRE. Gar registrations are GR. The internet addresses registered in Greece are indicated by “.gr”.
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