A Cultural Overview of Greece

Greece: A Cultural Overview

Faye KrauseCST229

April 1, 2010Professor Stefnoski

Map of Greece Photo Source: CIA World Factbook

Greece is located in Southern Europe and shares borders with Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey as well as the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionion Seas. Much of the topography is mountainous with ranges that extend into the seas as peninsulas or chains of islands

(Ministry of Tourism)

The Climate of GreeceSummer months in Greece are very hot and winters are relatively mild, with colder temperatures in the northern and mountainous parts of the country. The rainy season occurs between the months of November and March (Marcopoulis).

Photo Source: John Parthenakis

The Capital City of AthensIn this view of the capital city, the Acropolis, also called the Sacred Rock, links the ancient civilization with the modern city that lies around it. The monuments that are found on the Acropolis, such as the Parthenon, date back to ancient times (Ministry of Tourism).

Photo Source: Penny Anderson

The City of Athens

According to a 2009 estimate, the population of Greece is 10,737,428. Of this number, 19.2% of the population is 65 years and older while 14.3% of the population is under 15years of age (“Greece”)


The Rio-Andirrio Bridge

The Rio-Andirrio Bridge connects the western Peloponnese with western Central Greece.


The Rio-Andirrio BridgeThis is the longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in Europe and played a huge role in the improvements of road transportation in Greece (Ministry of Tourism).


Transportation

•As of 2009, there were approximately 81 airports in Greece. 67 have paved runways. (“Greece”).

•Greece also has a government operated railroad system, the Hellenic State Railways. •In Athens, there are buses, trolleys, and taxis as well as an underground rail system with three major lines (“Travel to Greece”).

In addition to the formal infrastructure of the transportation system, personal transportation modes such as motorcycles and other vehicles are used, particularly on the islands.


Hadrian’s Arch with a view of the variety of transportation modes in Greece

This arch is the symbolic gate for the city of Athens. Two inscriptions adorn the arch. The first faces west and says “This is Athens, the city of Theseus.” The second faces east and says “This is the city of Hadrian, not Theseus” (Ministry of Tourism). Photo Source: John Parthenakis

2004 Olympic Stadium

Travel Concerns

• To enter Greece you must have:• A passport that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the

planned length of stay• Visit may last up to 90 days for tourist or business

purposes without a visa• Public medical clinics, particularly on the islands, may

speak limited English and care may not be up to American standards

• Nearly 100% of the population in Greece has access to safe water (“Greece Country Specific”)

LANGUAGEApproximately 98% of people speak Greek, which is the official language of Greece. Many signs are written only in Greek (Ministry of Tourism). Photo Source: Penny Anderson

An English Welcome to the Island of Patmos

In some places that attract a large number of tourists, signs are written in English.


The Kapnikarea Church on Ermou StreetThis church was built in the 13th century and now sits in a busy shopping district in Athens. Rather than destroying it when the road was built, it was incorporated into the build-up of the area. Notice the Nike swoosh over the store to the left of the picture. Greece often combines the old and the new in a unique style.


This is another example of preserving an existing structure and remodeling for a new purpose. These stores appear to be in old munitions bunkers. Photo Source: Penny Anderson

Education in Greece

• Education is free and compulsory• Children start at the age of six and continue for

nine years• Primary education lasts the first six years• Secondary education continues for three years• Students then choose an additional three years

of college preparation or choose to attend a 3-year vocational school (“Greece”)

Education in Greece

• There are a variety of universities and technological education institutions

• Under the constitution, no private universities can exist

• The country has an impressive 95% literacy rate

(“Greece”)

Religion in GreeceApproximately 98% of the Greek population belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. Religion is an integral part of life for the people of Greece. Photo Source: John Parthenakis

Religion in GreeceThe Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church separated in 1054 and each branch excommunicated each other. In 1965, the two churches agreed to relinquish the excommunication and commit to improved relations.

This picture shows an example of the Greek Orthodoxy that abounds in Greece.


Religion in Greece Source: Penny Anderson

The Island of Patmos

Saint John the Apostle was exiled to the island of Patmos where he reportedly wrote the Biblical Book of Revelation.

Photo Source: CIA World Factbook

The Chapel of St GeorgeWhen entering churches or monasteries in Greece, women are expected to wear skirts below the knees and a blouse that covers their shoulders.


St. John Chrysostom MonasteryMen are expected to wear pants that cover the knees and a shirt with sleeves. Photo Source: John Parthenakis

Mykonos ChurchThis church shows the typical whitewashed finish and blue domes of the island of Mykonos.


Holidays in Greece

• Many of the holidays and festivals that are celebrated in Greece are religious in nature

• The most important religious holiday is Easter and it is celebrated with religious processions on Good Friday and fireworks at midnight on Easter morning

• Christmas is also an important religious holiday, but is a more private, family holiday

(“Greece Travel Guide”)

Holidays in Greece

• March 25th – Greek Independence Day• On March 25, 1821, the Greeks rose up

against the Ottoman Empire and began their eventual successful fight for independence

• On this day each year, every town and village has a school flag parade and there are large armed forces parades in Athens

(“Greece Travel Guide”)

The Flag of GreeceThe flag of Greece has nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. A blue square with a white cross appears in the upper left corner which symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy. Photo Source: Penny Anderson

The Greek Flag on the Acropolis Photo Source: John Parthenakis

Government

• Greece is a parliamentary republic• There are three branches of government:• The Executive Branch includes the President

and the Prime Minister• The office of the President, currently held by

Karolos Papoulias, serves as the head of state• The President appoints the Prime Minister

Government

• The Prime Minister, Konstantinos Karamanlis, serves as the head of government

• The Legislative Branch consists of a 300-seat unicameral parliament

• This body votes on the election of the President• The Judicial Branch includes the Supreme Court,

the highest court of appeal (“Background Note: Greece”)

Economy of GreeceThis photograph shows an assortment of olives in an Athens market.


Economy of Greece

• Greece is predominantly service oriented, including the tourism industry

• This accounts for over 73% of the Gross Domestic Product of Greece

• Another major industry is shipping• Almost 9% of the world’s merchant fleet is

owned by Greeks, making it the largest fleet in the world (“Background Note: Greece”)

Economy of Greece

• Other major industries are food processing, tobacco, textiles, chemicals, cement, and glass

• Agricultural exports include cotton, wheat, raisins, fresh fruits, tomato products, olive oil, and olives (“Greece”)

• Greece joined the European Union in 1981 and adopted the euro as its common currency in 2002

Economy of Greece

• Economic growth initially increased• Due to the global economic downturn in

2008-2009, growth plummeted• The Greek economy is currently in the midst

of a severe debt crisis (Marcopolouis)

Olive Groves in DelphiOlives are one of the exports for Greece. In this photo, olive groves extend all the way to the water in the background.


Delphi Jewelry StoreThis couple owns a jewelry store in Delphi and represent typical entrepreneurs in Greece. Source: Penny Anderson

The People of Greece Photo Source: John Parthenakis

The People of Greece

• The family is the basis of social structure• If one family member does something wrong,

it brings dishonor to the entire family• Greeks are generally warm and friendly

people• When meeting for the first time, they shake

hands, smile, and make direct eye contact• People who know each other generally greet

with a kiss on each cheek (“Greece-Language”)

Evzones During Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Members of the Presidential Guard, called Evzones, wear a customary uniform while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens.


Evzone Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace

Typical dress in Greece is casual and traditional Greek costumes are generally worn for festivals and parades. This uniform of the Evzones was customary for Greek men more than 100 years ago (Ministry of Tourism)


Greek Cuisine

• Greece is well-known for its cuisine• Greek foods typically are made with fresh

herbs, vegetables, and grains• Olive oil, lemon, and tomatoes are common

ingredients• Lamb, beef, pork, and chicken are regularly

served

SeaportSeafood is plentiful and fresh due to Greece’s location on the water and is frequently used in Greek dishes. Photo Source: Penny Anderson

Seaport in Mykonos Dried octopus, anyone?


McDonalds in Greece?McDonalds and Pizza Hut are among the fast food chains that have made a presence in Greece in the past fifteen years (“Greece Travel Guide”)


Not Your Typical Greek Café?


Typical Mediterranean Dessert - Gelato

This gelato stand has a very original way to display their desserts. Photo Source: Penny Anderson

Sunset in Greece


Works Cited

Athens Info Guide. N.p., 2009. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://www.athensinfoguide.com>.“Background Note: Greece.” Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. U.S. Department of State, Aug. 2009. Web. 19 Mar. 2010. <http://www.state.gov/ r/ pa/ ei/ bgn/ 3395.htm>.

"Europe: Greece." The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency, 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html>.“Greece.” Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations. Ed. Timothy L. Gall and Susan Bevan Gall. Gale, 2009. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. <http://find.galegroup.com/ srcx/ infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T 001&prodId=SRC-3&docId=EJ2305100236&source=gale&srcprod=SRCS&userGroupName=fred99135&version=1.0>.“Greece Country Specific Information.” U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, 13 Jan. 2010. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://travel.state.gov/ travel/ cis_pa_tw/ cis/ cis_1127.html#country>.“Greece - Language, Culture and Doing Business Etiquette.” Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions. Kwintessential, Ltd, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/ resources/ global-etiquette/ greece-country-profile.html>.“Greece Travel Guide.” iGuide: Interactive Travel Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://www.iguide.travel/ Greece>.Marcopoulos, George J. “Greece.” Lands and Peoples. Grolier Online, 2010. Web. 13 Mar. 2010.

<http://lp.grolier.com/ cgi-bin/ article?assetid=4057900>.Ministry of Tourism. “Athens/ Attica.” Greek National Tourism Organisation. 8th ed. Greek National

Tourism Organisation, Dec. 2008. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://www.visitgreece.gr>.“Travel to Greece.” World Travel Guide. Columbus Travel Media. Ltd., 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ country/ 102/ international_travel/ Europe/ Greece.html>.

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A Cultural Overview of Greece

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