Variety is, in fact, the hallmark of the
Greek geographical landscape generally. On one hand, there are high
mountains and entire mountain ranges such as the Pindus range (also known
as Greece's backbone) or Mount Olympus (with its summit the Pantheon, the
highest peak in Greece at an altitude of 2,917 meters) and the mountains
of Macedonia and Thrace intersected here and there by a few valleys
through which relatively small rivers flow. On the other hand, the endless
lacework of the coastline produces a series of scenic surprises. It is
these heavily indented shores which give Greece such rare beauty, quite
unique in the Mediterranean.
The marked variety of the terrain
above water continues under the surface, along a seabed which, millions of years
ago, was dry land. Close to Cape Tainaron (Tenaro) off the south tip of the
Peloponnese, the so-called Oinoussai (Inousses) Pit is 4,850 meters deep which
is the deepest point in the Mediterranean.
The Greek peninsula, Europe's
southeastern tip, has an area of 131,944 square kilometers, and consists of
mainland Greece (Attica, the Peloponnese, Sterea Ellada, Thessaly, Epirus,
Macedonia, Thrace) and the islands of the Aegean and Ionian seas. Geographically
it belongs to Europe since it forms the most southerly extremity of the Balkan
peninsula but it also has a special link with Europe through the small entity of
the Ionian Islands which form a chain off Greece's western shores in the Ionian
sea. In contrast, there are the numerous islands of the Aegean sea, some
isolated like Crete in the south, and some in groups like the islands of the
Northeast Aegean, the Sporades, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese.
The Cyclades consist of 39 islands
of which only 24 are inhabited. The Sporades lie off the eastern shores of
mainland Greece and Euboea (Evia) and retain their genuine island
characteristics and unchanged local traditions.
The Dodecanese group consists of
twelve major islands and a number of smaller islands, each with its own
distinctive features and peculiarities. Finally, the Saronic Gulf which is the
stretch of sea linking the shores of Attica to those of the Peloponnese,
contains a further group of small islands which adds its variety to the general
surroundings. There are various options for travelling to the islands,
as well as on the islands.
Vegetation and climate conform with the
variations in the geographical area. The multiplicity of plants is
exceptional, some 6,000 indigenous species having so far been recorded,
250 of which flourish on Crete alone. It is an impressive figure that is
due to Greece's geographical position between Europe and Africa. Plants
associated with the joys of life are the country's countless vineyards.
Major vegetation is likewise peculiar and above all made to human
measures. The trees are of medium height and vary from pine, oak, fir,
olive and mulberry trees to fruit and palm trees.
Another result of the
country's geographical location is also seen in its climatic range with mild winters and
sub-tropically warm summers cooled by a system of seasonal breezes
popularly called ''meltemia''. Lastly, an outstanding feature of the Greek
climate is its ample sunshine. It is not an exaggeration to state that the
sun shines in Greece for 3,000 hours per year, a factor beneficial for travellers.
Golf: Glyfada (close to the Eastern Terminal) tel.
894.6820.
Tennis: At all the GNTO's organised beaches, at
several municipalities in Attica, at many hotels, and at the Agios Kosmas
sports centre, tel. 8948900. Info: E.F.O.A. (Patission 89 - Athens) tel.
8814916-7.
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