Greece is located on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, with capital city Athens. Greece’s population is around 11 million.

Greece was established as an independent country in 1830 following the war of independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Ancient Greece is was the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic games, major scientific and mathematical principles, and Western drama (tragedy and comedy). The Greek Orthodox Church has passed Greek traditions to the larger Orthodox religion. Greece also has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among the most in Europe and the world.

Greece is a developed democratic country with a rising economy, high standard of living, and high quality of life. Greece is part of the EU and uses the euro as currency.

The earliest evidence of human inhabitance in Greece dated back to 270,000 BC. Greece is home to the first advanced civilizations in Europe and is considered the birthplace of Western civilization.

The first year of the Olympic games in 776 BC ended the Dark Ages. The Iliad and the Odyssey were composed by Homer in the 7th or 8th centuries BC. The first democratic system of government was put in place in Athens in 508 BC.

Greek mythology is one of my favorite things to study and read about because I find it so fascinating. If you appreciate the old Greek gods, continue to the Athens page to read and see the temples dedicated to the gods!