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Greece is a country located in southeastern Europe, with a rich history and cultural heritage that spans over thousands of years. Its ancient civilization has contributed to the development of philosophy, mathematics, art, and democracy, making it a center of Western civilization.
History
Greece has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest known civilization in Greece was the Minoans, who lived on the island of Crete around 2700 BCE. They were followed by the Mycenaeans, who lived on the Greek mainland and were known for their warrior culture and epic poetry.
The classical period of Greece, which lasted from the 5th to 4th centuries BCE, saw the emergence of great philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, and the rise of democracy in Athens. This period is also famous for the construction of iconic buildings, such as the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Greece was later conquered by the Romans in 146 BCE and became part of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century CE. It was then conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century and remained under Ottoman rule until the 19th century. Greece finally achieved its independence in 1830.
Culture
Greek culture is renowned for its contributions to art, philosophy, and literature. Greek art is characterized by its realism and attention to detail, as seen in the sculpture of ancient Greece, while Greek philosophy is known for its emphasis on reason and logic.
Greek literature is also considered some of the greatest in the world, with works such as the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer and the plays of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
Greece is also known for its music, with traditional Greek music featuring the use of instruments such as the bouzouki, a stringed instrument similar to a mandolin, and the clarinet. Greek folk dances are also popular, with traditional dances such as the syrtos and the kalamatianos.
Tourism
Greece is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. Its ancient ruins, such as the Acropolis in Athens and the ancient city of Delphi, are a major draw for history buffs, while its islands and beaches are popular with sun-seekers.
Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete are among the most popular islands to visit, with their stunning beaches, picturesque towns, and nightlife. The historic city of Athens is also a must-visit destination, with its ancient ruins, museums, and vibrant street life.
Food
Greek cuisine is famous for its use of fresh ingredients, such as olive oil, herbs, and vegetables. Some of the most famous Greek dishes include moussaka, a dish made with eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce, and souvlaki, grilled skewers of meat or vegetables.
Greek salads, made with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and olives, are also a popular dish.
Traditional Greek desserts include:
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Baklava - A flaky pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts (usually walnuts or pistachios), and a honey syrup.
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Galaktoboureko - A custard-filled pastry made with phyllo dough and a syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice.
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Loukoumades - Deep-fried dough balls served drizzled with honey syrup and cinnamon.
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Greek Yogurt with Honey and Nuts - A simple dessert made with thick Greek yogurt, drizzled with honey and topped with chopped nuts (usually walnuts).
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Kourabiedes - Butter cookies coated in powdered sugar and flavored with vanilla and almonds.
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Melomakarona - Honey-soaked cookies made with semolina flour, honey, and spices like cinnamon and cloves.
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Ravani - A sweet cake made with semolina flour and soaked in a syrup made with sugar, water, and lemon juice.
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Sokolatina - A chocolate cake made with cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and eggs, often served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
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Spoon Sweets - Whole fruit preserved in syrup, often served as a sweet treat alongside coffee or tea.
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Tsoureki - A sweet bread made with eggs, butter, and flavored with orange zest and mahlab (a spice made from the seeds of cherry stones). Often served at Easter time.
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If you are walking about in Athens you might want to see the Tower of the Winds, also called horologion (timepiece) or Book of Hours is located on the east side of the Roman Agora. The Tower of the Winds stands 42 feet high and was designed by a famous astronomer Andronicus of Cyrrhus during the Hellenistic period around the mid-2nd centry B.C. There are 8 winds carved on the 8 sides of the marble building, decorated with a frieze of figures in relief representing the 8 winds As you can see from the above drawing... there used to be a weathervane-like Triton that indicated the wind direction. ΒΟΡΕΑΣ (North).
He blows the cold north wind
through a large shell. ΝΟΤΟΣ (South).
Bearer of rain, he empties
a pot of water. ΚΑΙΚΙΑΣ (North East).
He throws a basket of hailstones
on those below. ΕΥΡΟΣ (South East).
An old man with beard
is wrapped in a cloak. ΑΠΕΛΙΟΤΗΣ (East).
A young man bringing
fruits and grain. ΖΕΦΥΡΟΣ (West).
A semi naked young man
scattering flowers. ΣΚΙΡΩΝ (North West).
He scatters glowing ashes
from a bronze vessel. ΛΙΨ (South West).
He holds the stern of a ship as he steers.
It is interesting to note that the Chinese consider 8 a lucky number.
This is because the pronunciation for the number 8 is "ba", which sounds like "fa", which means to make a fortune, to acquire wealth, or to become rich.
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Santorini, once called Kallisti (translated as the most beautiful one) has since 1969 been an archaeological site developed to excavate a 4000 year old Cycladic/Minoan town that had been buried beneath the volcanic ash. The Akrotiri people had time to leave the area before the volcanic eruption exploded, but left behind beautifully well-preserved wall paintings, ceramics and other ornate objects.
Santorini is an active volcano whose last eruption occurred in 1950. Previous to that a large explosive eruption occurred around 1640 BC.
Fire By The Sea by Walter L. Friedrich, Friedrich describes the eruption of the Greek island of Santorini, or Thera, sometime in the 17th or 16th century BC. He links the legend of the lost city of Atlantis to Santorini and his book has many color photos that highlight the beauty, the geology, the history and archaeology of Santorini.
The End of Atlantis: New Light on an Old Legend written by J.V. Luce has linked Santorini to the Legend of Atlantis. Speculation as to how the Minoan Civilization disappeared is linked to the massive Santorini explosion around 1500 B.C. Could Atlantis have been located on the island of Crete? Before 1500 B.C. Crete (see History of Crete) was the seat of the Minoan Empire. Archaeological excavations have shown that Minoan Crete was probably one of the most sophisticated cultures of its time. It had wonderful architecture and art. Minoan laws gave women equal legal status to that of men. Communication, trade and agriculture was enhanced by ships that traveled to outlying areas.
Luce unravels the mystery more by saying when Santorini exploded, a large tsunami that hit Crete must have traveled inland for over half a mile, destroying any costal town or cities. Plato's description of Atlantis' fate closely resembles the destruction of Crete. Luce describes the time difference of Plato's writings. Luce describes how some of the figures from Egyptian to Greek were mistranslated and an extra zero added. This would mean 900 years ago became 9000, and the distance from Egypt to Atlantis went from 250 miles to 2,500. Only time will unearth the proof of whether Santorini was the seat of Atlantis.
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Greece has many hot springs that have been renowned for their healing powers.The prefecture of Fthiotida (Phthiotis) has many lovely beaches and spa sites.
Health Spas
Thermopiles
Sulphurous hot springs recommended for chronic rheumatic ailments, gynaecological problems, rheumatoid arthritis.
Kamena Vourla
Radioactive hot springs recommended for chronic rheumatism. osteoarthritis, gout, neuritis, hormonal complaints.
Loutra Ipatis
The chemical composition of this water is rare and contains a great amount of carbonic acid. Baths at these springs are advised for vascular diseases, hypertension, coronary insufficiency, heart ailments, endocarditis, dermatological disorders, ailments of the peripheral nerves and muscles.
Platistomo
The waters of these springs are recommended for stomach and skin ailments.
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Health Benefits from Greek Cuisine
There are many health benefits from eating Greek cuisine. Olive oil, was mentioned by Hippocrates, who has been called "the father of medicine as a good food source. Hippocrates, was a physician trained at the Dream temple of Cos, and may have been a pupil of Herodicus. Recent research has now proved that the Greek Cuisine or diet is generally healthy and consuming olive oil can actually help lower harmful LDL cholesterol. Olive oil contains antioxidants that discourage artery clogging and chronic diseases, including cancer. According to Dr. Antonia Trichopoulou, the region's cuisine doesn't just taste wonderful -- it can also protect your health and bring you a longer life. A research team headed by Trichopoulou found that Greek adults who adhered to their traditional styles of eating had a 25 percent lower risk of dying from coronary disease and cancer than did those who chose Western-style diets.
Here is a favorite recipe:
GREEK YOGURT DIP
1 clove garlic, pressed
1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 T. olive oil
1 cup plain nonfat yogurt
salt to taste
1 t. lemon juice
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and
diced
Mix garlic and walnuts with olive oil. Stir in yogurt and salt. Add lemon juice and diced cucumbers. Stir and chill thoroughly. Serve with crackers or a variety of raw vegetables.
In Greece you'll often see goats, sheep and cattle traversing the steep mountain side in search of food. Lemon trees are grown and used to create lemon chicken soup (avgolemono). Lamb is a popular food dish and is often cooked with rice and vine leaves. Cheese made from sheep or goat's milk is used to flavor the the lamb, rice, eggplant and other vegetables. Greece is famous for its a romatic olive oil.
GREEK SALAD
1 clove garlic
1/2 head butter leaf lettuce, torn into
bite-sized pieces
1/4 bunch endive, thinly cut
6 romaine lettuce leaves, torn into
bite-size pieces
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
3 green onions, sliced
8 radishes, sliced
3 tomatoes, cut into eighths
18 Greek or ripe green olives
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
On a large platter rubbed with garlic, arrange greens in center. Cover greens with a row of sliced cucumbers. Sprinkle cucumbers with sliced onions. Surround those with sliced radishes. Encircle edge of platter with tomato wedges. Garnish with olives and sprinkles of feta cheese. Serves: 8.
"Drunk before a meal, olive oil protects the stomach from ulcers. It is also effective in treating urinary tract infections and gall bladder problems. It is a perfect remedy for gastritis in children; it accelerates brain development and strengthens the bones.
Feta Cheese Cruatades
3 loaves whole-wheat bread
3/4 cup melted margarine
1 8-ounce package lite cream
cheese
6 minced green onions
1/3 cup frozen chopped spinach,
cooked and squeezed dry
1/4 pound grated Monterey Jack
cheese
1/4 pound crumbled feta cheese
cup grated fresh Parmesan
cheese
milk (optional)
pimento for garnish
Roll sliced bread with a rolling pin to flatten. Brush with melted margarine. Cut out circles with 2 3/4. inch cookie cutter, Press into muffin tins. Bake at 350 [degrees] F for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Place cream cheese and green onions in a glass bowl, Microwave 2-4 minutes until cheese is creamy and onions are softened, Add spinach and three cheeses. Heat again until filling is hot and bubbly. (Filling may be thinned with a little milk if needed.) Spoon into crustade cups. Heat in a 350 [degrees] F oven for 5-6 minutes. Garnish With pimento.
Olive oil dissolves clots in capillaries, has been found to lower the degree of absorption of edible fats, and consequently slows down the aging process. Olive oil is cholesterol-free.