It’s easy to see why Greece is one of the most amazing vacation destinations. Between the beautiful scenery, friendly people, amazing history, and delicious cuisine, this paradise is one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth. Want to learn more about Greece?
Here’s 10 interesting facts about Greece that you probably didn’t know!
1. Greece is one of the sunniest places in the world
According to MSN Weather, Rhodes, Greece has about 300 sunny days each year! That’s about 3,000 hours of sunshine! Bring that sunscreen… you’re going to need it!
2. The Greek Isles are home to over 6000 beautiful islands
While only 227 of them are inhabited, each island has a unique culture and landscape, ensuring that every destination will bring a brand new adventure!
3. Greece is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
16 of these sites are based on cultural criteria such as the Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis of Athens, and the Medieval City of Rhodes. The last 2 (Mount Athos and Meteora), are considered to be heritage sites for their cultural and natural significance!
4. 80% of Greece is made up of mountains
When you picture Greece, you might think of the whitewashed buildings and blue domed churches of the cities on the Mediterranean, but the majority of Greece is actually mountains. According to the Official Greece Tourism Site, Greece is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe!
5. Greece has an impressive coastline… about 16,000 kilometers
That’s 9,942 miles of pristine blue coastline! 4,660 of those miles are found around the thousands of islands of the Greek archipelago! No matter which island you visit, there is sure to be a captivating view of the mediterranean!
6. Santorini has different color beaches
Santorini is home to black, white and red beaches. The black beaches are thanks to Santorini’s impressive volcanic past. The beaches are comprised of black sand and pebbles that become very slippery in the water! Be careful–if you wade in too far, you might end up going for a swim!
7. The Patron of Athens is a Goddess
Athena is not only the Patron of Athens, but also the Goddess of warfare, strategy and wisdom. As the myth goes, Athena was chosen to be the Patron of Athens after she won the people over with the gift of an olive tree. Poseidon offered the city water, but they deemed Athena’s gift to be of higher value.
8. Greece is the third largest producer of olives
Speaking of olive trees, Greece produces 2.2 million metric tons of olives each year. The only countries to beat Greece are Spain and Italy! According to True Voyagers, a travel blog, Greece has more varieties of olives than any other country in the world!
9. Greece is home to more archaeological museums than any other country in the world
One of the most well-known museums is the Acropolis Museum located in Athens. Check out Discover Greece’s page on the 12 most popular archaeological museums to learn about more of them!
10. Greece has a diverse array of wildlife
Greece is home to many unique animals such as the Beech Marten, the Cypriot Mouflon, and the Mediterranean Monk Seal! Some of these animals are only found on specific Greek islands, making them part of a unique and diverse ecosystem! Not to mention over 100,000 birds migrate to Greece’s wetlands each winter.
If you’ve always wanted to experience the beauty of Greece, join us on Paul W. & Kim’s Dream Vacation aboard the Celebrity Reflection September 29-October 13. Call 800-383-3131 today to reserve your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage!
By Kaitlyn Pidgeon
