Greece Facts

Our Greece Facts for Kids provide interesting and fun facts about the country in Southern Europe, its geography, Greece landmarks and attractions and so much more.

Here are some interesting Facts about Greece which were choosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Greece Facts for Kids

• Population: about 10.6 million people live in Greece (2020)
• Capital: Athens with 3.2 million inhabitants
• Name: Hellenic Republic; locally also referred to as Ellas or Ellada
• Government: Parliamentary Republic
• National Language: Greek
• Religion: mainly Greek Orthodox over 80%
• Literacy: 97% of the Greek population aged 15 and over can read and write
• Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents (before 2001: Greek drachma)

• National Anthem: Hymn to Liberty (The Greek national anthem is the longest in the world and the original text of all anthems)
• National Holiday: 25 March (Independence Day)
• National Symbol: Greek cross (white on blue background) and the national colours: blue and white
• History: The first evidence of people living in the region date back to 270 000 BC on the Chalkidiki peninsula. Greece is considered as the cradle of Western civilisation. Kingdoms and city states, so called polis, spread across the region from about 800 BC. The first Olympic games were held in 776 BC. The Athenian Empire was at its peak around 450 BC, this is when many of the Greek monuments were built.  Greece is one of the earlier members of the European community, joining in 1981 in what today is the European Union. 

Greece Facts | Greece Geography

• Greece is a country in southeastern Europe. The country is situated on the Balkan peninsula.
• The country shares land borders with four countries: Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Please note that the name Macedonia was disputed by Greece and the country to the north of Greece changed its name to North Macedonia in February 2019!
• Greece is a mountainous country as you can see on the map. Mountains cover 80% of the country. The two major mountain ranges are the Pindus and the Taurus mountains. 

- Click here for a larger map and satellite images. -

• Greece is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The Greek coastline borders the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea as well as the Libyan and Crete Seas in the south. 
• The country consists of the mainland with two peninsulas Peloponnese (in the southwest) and Chalkidiki (in the northeast).
• Greece also includes an archipelago of about 6 000 islands with Crete being the largest island.
• Greece has a mild and temperate climate with wet and colder winters and hot and dry summers.
  
• Greece is slightly smaller in size than the state of Alabama/USA.

Facts about Greece
Geo Superlatives

• Athens is known as the oldest capital city in Europe. Athens is named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.

• Greece has one of the longest coastlines in the world, and the longest coastline in the Mediterranean with 13 676 km/ 8 498 miles.
• Crete is the largest island of Greece.
• The Corinth Canal is 6 km/ 3.7 miles long and shortens the voyage across the isthmus of Corinth by 325 km/ 202 miles.

• Greece is known to possess one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. The harbour of Piraeus in Athens is the largest container port in Greece.
  
• The longest river in Greece is the river Haliacmon with 297 km/ 185 miles.

• Greece's highest mountain is Mount Olympus. The mountain's Mytikas peak is the highest peak with 2 917 m/9 570 ft.

• Lake Trichonida is the largest lake in Greece. It is located north of the city of Patras.
• Greece is the third largest olive oil producer in the world - after Italy and Spain.

Greece Facts
Landmarks and Attractions

There are 18 UNESCO world heritage sites in Greece.

Among the most well known monuments of Ancient Greece are the Acropolis in Athens and its Parthenon temple, the Sanctuary of Delphi, the ruins of the Olympic stadium in Olympia and the Shrine and Theatre of Asklepios in Epidaurus. 

Here are some images of the most well known Greek landmarks. 

Please let us know if you have some more info, we plan to add more info here shortly.

Besides the ancient Greek monuments, Greece is known for its scenic landscapes with picturesque villages and stunning beaches such as Elafonissi Beach on the island of Crete.

The windmills on the island of Mykonos were built in the 16th century and are a prominent landmark. The island of the Cyclades is amongst the windiest in Greece. The power of the wind was mainly used here to mill grains such as wheat. 

Greece Facts | Greek People

About one third of the population of Greece live in the capital city Athens. The majority of Greeks (80%) live in urban centres.

Athens and Thessaloniki are the biggest cities in Greece. Only a few other cities have more than 100 000 inhabitants, these include Patras, Heraklion and Rhodes. The city of Athens has a modern and efficient public transport system and a Metro or rapid transport system. The cities Athens and Thessaloniki are connected by a speed train called the "Hellas Sprinter".

The Greek enjoy following traditions and customs such as folk music and dances. The Sirtaki is one of the most famous dances around the world and also often performed for tourists.

In Greece, children go to primary or elementary school for six years, similar to the UK. Public school education is free of charge and includes the supply of free textbooks. Schooling is compulsory until Grade 9 or the age of 15. Greek pupils learn at least one foreign language which usually is English, French or German.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Greece and many people enjoy watersports or athletics.

Greece Facts | Greek Language

Καλημέρα! pronounced as Kaliméra! means 'Good Day!' in Greek. The Greek language has the longest history of any of the Indo-European languages and written records date back about 3 500 years. See how the letters are written printed writing and cursive writing.

The Greek alphabet has letter 24 letters. Here is how to pronounce the letters.

Many Greek words have been introduced in other languages. Some of the Greek words that are used in the English language are: mathematics, physics, athletics, telephone, politics, academy, democracy and geography.

Greece Facts | Greece Economy

Greece has one of Europe's highest unemployment rates with more than 1 in 4 Greeks being unemployed. Most people work in the services sector and are affected strongly by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism, food and textile manufacturing are among the main business sectors in Greece. One third of the Greek population work in the tourism sector.

Olives, tomatoes as well as wheat, barley and potatoes are among the main agricultural products of Greece.

Italy and Germany are Greece's biggest trading parters.

Major natural resources include iron-ore, petroleum, zinc, nickel, salt and marble.

Greece Facts | Food in Greece

The Greek cuisine is full of aroma! Fresh fruit and vegetables and seafood dominate most dishes. Spices such as oregano, thyme, mint or rosemary are added to most Greek dishes. Olive oil is used in most dishes or for dipping bread.

Mezedes are snacks that can be eaten before meals or enjoyed with drinks at the local restaurants or tavernas.

Popular food in Greece:

• Choriatiki salata: This 'village' salad is what we know all over the world as Greek salad, made with plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese. Usually eaten with bread not pita ;-)
• Feta cheese: white soft cheese made from goats milk 
• Tsatsiki: dip or thick sauce made with Greek yoghurt and cucumbers, garlic, olive oil and spices
• Moussaka: layered dish with aubergines (eggplants or brinjals) and potatoes and creamy sauce
• Spanakopita: filo pastry dish with a spinach and feta filling

• Souvlaki: skewers of marinated meat, usually eaten as fast food
• Pastitsio: pasta dish with minced meats and white sauce, similar to the Italian lasagna
• Dolmades: little parcels of rice that has been mixed with vegetables and spices and that are wrapped in vine leaves

Greece Facts | Did you know?

Greece does still have a royal family. However, King Constantine II does not have any power in governing the country as the monarchy was abolished in Greece in 1974.

The royal family includes King Constantine II, born in 1940, Queen Anne-Marie, their five children and nine grandchildren.

Did you know that Constantine II is an avid sportsman? He took part in the Olympics for Greece in 1960 when he won a gold medal in sailing before he ascended the throne in 1964. In fact, he was the first Greek gold medal winner in the modern Olympics! By the way, Constantine II is also the younger brother of Queen Sofia of Spain.

Popular Pages

Useful Resources for Greece Facts

This Greece facts page was last updated on 5 May 2020.

• Angela King & Brad Cole. Geoscience News and Information. "Greece Map and Satellite Images." Geology.com Last accessed 8 May 2020
• Central Intelligence Agency. “Greece”. CIA World Fact Book. Last updated 4 May 2020. Last accessed 8 May 2020 
• Greek National Tourism Organisation. "Geography". VisitGreece. Last accessed 7 May 2020
• Elena Paravantes. "The Best Authentic Greek Salad". OliveTomato. Last accessed 7 May 2020
• Greek Royal Family. "Media Center" The Greek Royal Family. Last accessed 7 May 2020

Image Credits on Greece Facts page: Shutterstock.com and wikipedia commons

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