OFFICIAL NAME: Hellenic Republic

CAPITAL: Athens

AREA: 131,951 sq. km. (50,949 sq. mi.

CLIMATE: Mediterranean; mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

TERRAIN: Mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands. About a fifth of Greece consists of islands and no part of Greece is more than 85 miles from the sea.

SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary Republic

CURRENCY: Euro

ESTIMATED POPULATION: 10,964,020 (in 2001)

RELIGION: The official religion is Greek Orthodox Christianity which accounts for 98% of the population and there is also a small minority of Muslims which account for 1.5% of the population

Greece is the cradle of Western civilization, the origin of drama, history, philosophy, and the birthplace of democracy. It is hard to imagine what civilized life would be like without the infleuence of ancient Greece, the geometry of Euclides or Pythagoras, the logic of Aristoteles, the unique architectural style which has influenced architects all over the world, or even the fables of Aesop's known to children around the globe. Let us not forget the Olympic Games, with their spirit of world peace and brotherhood, first conceived and organized by the Greeks and the Greek language which has enriched other languages with so many words and concepts.

Greece offers a unique blend of the most beautiful Mediterranean landscapes, overwhelming history, and a people of great hospitality.

 

English	Greek
Cheers	Yia'sou
Good morning	Kalime'ra
Good evening	Kalispe'ra
Good night	Kalini'chta
Thank you	Efharisto'
How are you	Ti Ka'nis
Fantastic	Fantastiko'
Please	Parakalo'
I'm hungry	Pina'o
Hot	Ze'sto
Cold	Cri'o
I would like	The'lo
Telephone	Tile'fono
Let's go eat	Pa'me na fa'me
Let's go	Pa'me

English	Greek
I am leaving	Fe'vgo
We are leaving	Fe'vgoume
See you again	Tha' se do' ksana'
Taxi	Taxi'
Water	Nero'
Bread	Psomi'
Beer	Bi'ra
Wine	Krassi'
"Paint thinner"	Retsi'na
Chicken	Koto'poulo
Pork	Hirino'
Beef	Vothino'
Fish	Psa'ri
Salad	Sala'ta