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            GREECE
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Greece is a peninsular-shaped
country, the most
southeasterly extension of
Western Europe. About 70% of
the land is hilly, with harsh
mountain climates and poor
soils. The Greek Islands and
coastal regions have a typical
Mediterranean climate while
winter in the northern
mountains is severe.
Agriculture is the chief
activity, and large-scale
farming is concentrated on the
east coast. Fishing is
important around the 2000
islands. Tourists visit the
country for the sun and its
spectacular ancient ruins.

Area (Sq. Km): 132,467

Population: 10,053,000

Capital: Athens

Language:
Greek

Religion:
Greek Orthodox 97%

Government Type:
Presidential parliamentary
republic

Currency: Drachma

Embassy:
1a Holland Park
London
W11 3TP
0171-727-8040

Greece is one of THE main
tourist destinations from the
UK at the moment, and in
package holiday terms is now a
serious rival to Spain. One of
the greatest plus points that
Greece has is the over 300
islands of all shapes and
sizes which mean that the
Greek holiday can come in an
amazing variety of styles.
Major island destinations are
Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Lesbos,
Poros, Kefalonia and Aegina
whilst on the mainland, the
areas of Halkidiki in the
north and the Athenian Riviera
in the south lend added
interest.

Flights from the UK are many
and charter flights operate
from Manchester, Leeds, East
Midlands, Glasgow, Belfast,
Gatwick and Birmingham amongst
others direct to most of the
major Greek islands. Many of
the smaller islands are
reached by charter flight and
ferry, and the main island
chain is crisscrossed by a
busy ferry traffic.

Direct scheduled flights
operate a number of times each
day by British Airways and
Olympic airways the Greek
carrier from Heathrow. In
Summer Athens direct is also
available from Manchester.
There is little or no
holidaying in Greece in the
winter as they can be quite
cool. The only island in the
area which stays reasonably
warm is Cyprus.

Greece is attractive too
because of the low, low prices
and holidaying in Greece can
be a low budget option if a
self-catering arrangement is
taken. On the whole, Greek
accommodation is not as
sophisticated as its Spanish
equivalent, but does have a
charm all of its own.

Nightlife is usually based
around the eternal taverna
where waiters double as
entertainers and the bars
seldom shut.

National airline:
Olympic Airways

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Foreign Office Advice:

There have been some bomb and
rocket attacks in Greece which
have, in the main, targeted
commercial, official and
foreign organisations in the
Athens area.

Attacks involving tourists
cannot be ruled out, however,
and visitors should be
vigilant.

For more information ring:

 Foreign Office Travel Unit

       0171-270-4129