Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean Mediterranean n.地中海（=Mediterranean sea， 位于欧， 亚， 非三大洲之间）， 地中海沿岸的居民adj.地中海的， 地中海民族的. The mainland mainland n.大陆 consists of the following regions： Central Greece， Peloponnese， Thessaly (east/central)， Epirus (west)， Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northwest). Euboea， the second largest of the Greek islands， lying to the east of the central region， is also considered to be part of the mainland region. The Peloponnese Peloponnese 伯罗奔尼撒半岛［希腊南部］(即摩里亚半岛) peninsula peninsula n.半岛 is separated from the northern mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. The northern mainland is dissected by high mountains (such as the Pindus) that extend southwards towards a landscape of fertile plains， pineforested uplands and craggy， scrubcovered foothills. The islands account for onefifth of the land area of the country. The majority are thickly clustered in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands are the exception； they are scattered along the west coast in the Ionian Sea. The Aegean archipelago archipelago n.群岛， 多岛海 includes the Dodecanese， lying off the Turkish coast， of which Rhodes is the best known； the Northeast Aegean group， including Chios， Ikaria， Lemnos， Lesvos and Samos； the Sporades， off the central mainland； and the Cyclades， comprising 39 islands (of which only 24 are inhabited inhabited adj.有人居住的）. Crete， the largest island， is not included in any formal grouping.）
Greece has around 10，000 miles of coast and over 1，400 islands of which 169 are inhabited.
Greece has a rich culturalcultural adj.文化的 history. From the Ancient Gods， to the Minoans who settled in Crete， to the seat of democracydemocracy n.民主政治， 民主主义 established in Athens， through Roman and Turkish occupation to the present day democracy， traces of Greece，s history remain throughout the country： the Archaeological sites at the Acropolis， Delphi， Olympus and Knossos in Crete， Byzantine churches and monasteriesmonastery n.修道院， 僧侣， Venetian and Neoclassical architecture， even minaretsminaret n.尖塔 and mosquesmosque n.清真寺.
The Greek Orthodox Church is instrumental in the daily life and cultural traditions of the Greeks and 97% of the population are Greek Orthodox. Religious holidays are rigidly observed and some are designated as National Holidays.
Greek music and dance have always played an important part in Greek life； the flute， the lyra， and the bouzoukibouzouki (=bousouki)布祖基琴，希腊曼陀琳(琴) all make an appearance and each island has its own style of music and local traditionaltraditional adj.传统的， 惯例的， 口传的， 传说的 dances which are still popular today.
Writers and artists figure large in Greece，s culture. Homer and the great philosophers， temples， theatres， frescoes， icons， and Greece，s famous artist El Greco who made Spain his home； all contribute to the rich heritageheritage n.遗产， 继承权， 传统.
The Cuisine of Greece， and particularly the Cretan diet， is recognised as being one of the healthiest in the world， with copious amounts of olive oil， fresh vegetables， salads and fruit.
Delicious mezes of various cheese or mushroom filled vegetables， garlic tzatziki and Greek salad are followed by fresh sea food， fish， herb flavoured lamb， rabbit or charcoalgrilled meat. The Greeks make eating out a pastimepastime n.消遣， 娱乐 and they will often dine out in a large family group and order much more than they can eat.
Many of the best tavernas taverna n. （希腊的）酒馆，餐馆 are located away from the tourist areas.
Modern Greece is a sum of an extraordinary diversity of influences - Romans， Arabs， Franks， Venetians， Slavs， Albanians， Turks and Italians， to say nothing of the great Byzantine Empire. The arts still play an integral part in Greek life and have done since ancient times. In summer， Greek dramas are staged in the ancient theatres where they were originally performed. One of the unforgettable unforgettable adj.忘不了的， 令人难忘的 aspects of a holiday in Greece has to be island - hopping in the Aegean and Ionian seas. All with their own unique character， the Greek islands are a fusion of stone， sunlight and sparkling sea. The arid Mani region of the Peloponnese sports the country，s best array of wildflowers - crocuses， anemones anemone n.［植］银莲花， ［动］海葵， irises， poppies， lilies， rock roses and cyclamens abound. Follow your nose and you，ll find yourself knee - deep in wild oregano， basil and thyme. Sample some delicious Greek yoghurt and the immensely popular “country salad” - lettuce， tomatoes， feta cheese， cucumber and olives. Appetisers and snacks like tzatziki (cucumber and yoghurt dip)， souvlaki (skewered， grilled meat in pita bread) and spanikopita (spinach and cheese pie) are the perfect accompaniment to a cold beer or sparkling wine sparkling wine 汽酒. The sheer beauty and diversity of this extraordinary country will stay with you forever.
