Search results
Feb 3, 2017 · Learn about Greece's geography, culture, history, and more from this list of 86 facts. Discover how Greece is related to democracy, olives, mythology, and the Colossus of Rhodes.
- Greece is considered to have laid the foundation for Western Civilization, especially as it was appropriated into the Roman Empire and European Cul...
- Greece is famous for creating the Olympic Games, for being the birthplace of democracy, its art, philosophy, and architecture.
- The Greeks called themselves Hellenes and their land was Hellas. The Romans later gave the people the name "Greeks."
- People have been living in Greece for over 40,000 years. The earliest settlers were hunter-gatherers and later farmers. The Minoans were the first...
- Famous ancient Greeks include Hippocrates, Leonidas I, Euclid, Archimedes, Pythagoras, Homer, Plato, and Aristotle, to name a few.
- Greeks invented many types of technology, such as the lighthouse, water wheel, alarm clock, the Olympic Games, arch bridge, plumbing, democracy, sp...
- Fun Facts About Greece
- Quirky Greece Facts
- Quick Facts About Greece
- Facts About Greece – Food
- Facts About Ancient Greece
- Greek Island Facts
- Greece Facts: Which One Surprised You The most?
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Before we visit any country, we like to learn a little bit about where we will be visiting. That is why we decided to give you this resource. We have broken this article into general facts, fun facts, and ancient facts about Greece. You may also want to read: Is Greece Expensive to Visit if you are planning a trip to Greece.
The Official Name of Greece Isn’t Actually Named Greece
If someone referred to Greece by its official name you probably wouldn’t recognize it at first – but hey, that’s what makes it such an interesting fact! Greek people actually refer to their country as Hellas or Hellada and the complete official name is theHellenic Republic.
In Certain Spots in Greece, You Can’t Wear High Heels
Confused about this one? It might sound a bit weird at first, but it actually makes sense. Remember when we mentioned that you can visit many ancient temples in Greece Well, the reason why you can’t wear high heels in certain places is simple: so that you don’t end up creating cracks in the stone with the heel and damaging places with such a rich history. The idea dates back to the fifth century BC and has influenced many of the modern democratic nations of today. Who enjoys a day of explorin...
Name Days Are Almost As Big as Birthdays
What’s better than having one day of the year that’s all about yourself? Having two! Many Greek names come from religious saints and each of these saints is celebrated by the church on a specific day. On that day, people with the same name as the saint are wished a happy name day and throw a party with family, friends, and even neighbors. Some, like Marios and Marias, even have two name days a year!
We have a lot of facts about Greece to get through, but let’s start with a quick list. 1. The population of Greece– Greece has a population of 10.7 million people 2. Capital City– The Capital city of Greece is Athens and it is also the largest city in Greece. 3. Where is Greece located? – Greece is located at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsul...
Greece Is the Third Biggest Olive Oil Producer in the World
If all you need to be happy is a bowl of olives and some olive oil to dip your bread in, you have to go to Greece. The Greeks have been producing olives since 3500 BC. It all started on the island of Crete. Olives have been a big part of the Greek diet for many, many years and the ancient population even described its trees as sacred. Nowadays, Greece is the third biggest olive oil produced in the world (only after Spain and Italy) and it has more varieties of olives than any other country. D...
Lunch is the Biggest Meal in Greece
The biggest meal in Greece is usually lunch. Lunch is eaten at about 2 pm and consists of small dishes known as Mezedes including dips like Tzatziki, Hummus, and Taramasalata. The Greeks also eat bread and feta cheese, followed by main staples like Moussaka, gyros, and Keftedes. Dinner isn’t eaten until after 9 pm and is usually a lot lighter. One of the facts we can be sure of though, Ouzo is probably freely flowing! See our full Greek food guide here.
Democracy was born in Greece
Greece is an ancient country and the idea of citizens taking part in ruling the government was born in Athens. Here’s a cool fact, the word democracy actually comes from the Greek words demos (people) and rule (kratos). – Demoskratos.
Greek Is the Oldest Language In the World That’s Still Used
Greek was founded over 5000 years ago, which makes the Greek language the oldest written language to still be used to this day. Pretty cool record, isn’t it? Now, you might not know how to write full sentences in Greek but we’re almost sure you know a letter or two in their alphabet. Remember the beta and alpha symbols you learned in Math years ago? That’s Greek!
Greece Inspired the Olympics
Nowadays, the Olympic games are all about modern sports like baseball, basketball, athletics, cycling and, starting in 2020, even skateboarding and climbing. But it hasn’t always been like that. Historians believe that the first-ever Olympics happened in 776 BC in honor of Zeus, the King of the Gods. Crazy? They played sports like chariot racing and wrestling where things would get pretty bloody. Even crazier? They played them while naked.
Greece is Composed of 6,000 Islands and Islets
It might sound insane that one single country can have so many islands and islets but that’s, in fact, the case of the Greek archipelago. Only 227 of the Greek islands are inhabited though, so there’s a reason we don’t hear about many (many, many) of them.
Blue Doors of Greece
The Blue Doors of Greece look beautiful, but they actually have a function. In ancient Greece, the Santorini shade of bluewas used to keep evil spirits away. We may not believe in superstition, but the shade of blue known as kyanos to the locals certainly makes for a beautiful scene against the white concrete buildings.
The Island of Ikaria Is One of the World’s Blue Zones
If you don’t know what a blue zone is, this one might not seem that surprising at first. But trust us, it’s a good one. Blue zones are places where people tend to live longer than anywhere else in the world and where reaching 100 years old and feeling healthy isn’t uncommon. There are only five in the whole world and the island of Ikaria is one of them. How come, you might ask? Well, according to investigations run by journalist Dan Buettner and National Geographic, it’s all about the lifesty...
Greece is a beautiful country with a long history and amazing culture, which explains why so many people pick it as their holiday destination. If you can learn this much just by reading an article, imagine how many more interesting facts you’ll learn once you land in the country! Read about The Monasteries of Meteora Greece So, which one of the fac...
Learn about Greece's history, culture, food, and more with these fun facts. Discover why Greece is one of the top 10 most visited countries in Europe and what makes it unique.
Aug 27, 2019 · Learn about Greece's history, culture, geography, and lifestyle in this comprehensive post. Discover some fun facts, interesting facts, and facts about Greece's destinations and travel planning.
May 7, 2024 · Learn about Greece's history, culture, geography, and more with these captivating facts. Discover the ancient origins of democracy, the Olympic Games, and the Greek alphabet, as well as modern Greece's coastline, islands, and cuisine.
- Greece is made up of thousands of islands. You’ve probably heard of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete… But did you know that Greece is made up of thousands more beautiful islands?
- Greece has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you love visiting heritage sites you’re in for a treat in Greece. The country is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including world-famous sites like the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Apollo, Meteora, and the Old Town of Corfu.
- 80% of Greece is made up of mountains. When you think of Greece, you probably picture sandy shores, blue oceans, whitewashed buildings and blue domes.
- No part of Greece is more than 137 kilometres away from the ocean. Greece may be 80% mountains… But if you associate a beautiful Mediterranean coastline with Greece, you’re also right!
Nov 26, 2023 · Learn about Greece's geography, culture, traditions, and mythology with these fun facts. Discover the oldest living language, the longest national anthem, the pink sand beaches, and more.
People also ask
What is Greece famous for?
What are 3 interesting facts about Greece?
How many people live in Greece?
Why is Greece so popular?
Learn about Greece's history, culture, geography, and more from this list of fun and fascinating facts. Discover why Greece is a top travel destination and how it influences Western culture.
