3. MODERN GREECE TRACES ITS ROOTS TO THE CIVILISATION OF ANCIENT GREECE, GENERALLY CONSIDERED THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION As such, it is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy,the Olympic Games, Western literature and historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, and Western drama,including both tragedy and comedy.
4. SUMMARY HISTORY OF GREECE Ancient GreeceSpread through the Balkans, the Aegean islands and coasts of the peninsula of Anatolia, now Turkey, constituting the so-called Hellas. Greek civilization originated in Crete and Mycenaean cultures. People of Greek origin, the Dorians, who used iron weapons, seized by defeating the Mycenaean Greece. The Trojan war described by Homer in the Iliad, was probably one of the armed conflicts that were related to the invasion. Sparta and Corinth became Doric major cities. With the Dorians began a period of cultural decline known by the name Dark Ages.
5. HISTORY V and IV centuries BCE correspond to the height of the great independent city-states, among which the polis of Athens and Sparta. During the reign of Pericles the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and other large buildings were built. Greek drama reached its peak with the tragic plays. The philosopher Socrates was another figure of the Athens of Pericles who made the city a cultural and artistic center without rival.
6. The shipping industry is a key element of Greek economic activity dating back to ancient times. MARITIME INDUSTRY Piraeus is the largest marine – based shipping centre of Greece and also the commercial hub of Greek shipping, with most of Greece's shipowners basing their commercial operations there.
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8. The constitution of Greece recognizes the Greek Orthodox faith as the "prevailing" religion of the country. The Orthodox Catholic Church is considered to be the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles. RELIGION Flag of the Greek Orthodox Church
9. Greek cuisine is as an example of the healthy Mediterranean diet. Greek cuisine incorporates fresh ingredients into a variety of local dishes such as moussaka, stifado, Greek Salad, spanakopita and the world famous Souvlaki. Sweet desserts such as galaktoboureko, and drinks such as ouzo, metaxa and a variety of wines including retsina. CUISINE
10. SOUVLAKI: Is a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer. Greek salad with additional ingredients.
11. Greece, home to the first modern Olympics, holds a long tradition in sports. SPORTS Inside the Olympic Stadium of Athens Spiros Louis.
