Greece is located in south-eastern Europe on the southern end of the Balkan peninsula. It is bordered to the north by Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania, and to the east by Turkey. Greece is bordered by the Aegean Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the west, with both seas being filled with hundreds of islands.
Greece has a long and rich history, and Greek culture has had a strong influence on the historical development of Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Greec is considered the cradle of western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, western philosophy, the Olympic Games, western literature, political science and drama.
Greece is made up of a large mainland at the southern end of the Balkan peninsula, the Peloponnese peninsula, and around 3,000 islands including Crete. Greece's coastline extends for more than 15,000 kilometres. 80% of Greece is mountainous or hilly, making it one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.
Western Greece is dominated by the Pindus mountain range which rises to over 2,600 metres. Pindus is characterized by steep mountain peaks dissected by deep canyons. The rocky landscape provides a breathtaking spectacle for hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the area each year. Special lifts transfer visitors to scenic monasteries situated high on the rocky cliffs rocks.
Mount Olympus is the tallest mountain in Greece, reaching a height of over 2,900 metres. Once considered the throne of the Gods, it is today popular among hikers and climbers. Flatter plain areas are located mainly in Thessaly, Central Macedonia and Thrace, and are significant economic regions as they are among the few arable areas in Greece.
Greece has three distinct climate types well defined by territory: the Mediterranean, the Alpine and the Temperate climate types. The Mediterranean climate is characterised by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures rarely reach extreme values although snow does occasionally fall even in the Cyclades or Crete during winter. The Alpine climate is predominant in Western Greece. The Temperate climate prevails in Central and Eastern Macedonia as well as Thrace, and is characterised by cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers. Athens is located in an intermediate area influenced by both the Mediterranean and the Alpine climate types. The northern suburbs of Athens are dominated by the Alpine climate while the downtown area and the southern suburbs enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate.
Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean, and each year the nation's numerous many islands are visited by millions of international visitors, particularly in summer. Astounding natural beauty, golden beaches, idyllic sunsets, a legendary nightlife and the world famous Greek cuisine combine to make Greece an irresistible hotspot for tourists. In 2004, Greece ranked 12th in the world in terms of international tourist arrivals, with more than 14 million people visiting the country. In 2005, those numbers were surpassed by over 16 million arrivals, and in 2006 numbers are expected to grow even bigger. Interestingly, a 2005 Chinese survey found that Greece the Chinese people's number one choice of tour destination.
Apart from the Greek capital Athens, other popular tour destinations include the islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, Paros, Ios, Kos, Kefallonia, Zakynthos and Hydra as well as the northern Halkidiki peninsula.