Greece

Greece is the European nation-state  that borders the Mediterranean Sea to its South, the Aegean Sea to the East, Turkey to the North-East, Ionian Sea to the West, and Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria to the North. Greece is a mountainous region with a warm temperate climate, and hundreds of islands under its domain. 


Greece is a parliamentary republic with its capital in Athens, and is a member of the European Union. Approximately 11 million citizens live in Greece, the vast majority of which are Ethnically Greek though there are notable ethnic minority populations, including Roma, Turks, Slavs, and more. There are just over 6,000 Jews in the country. Most Greeks speak Modern Greek, but there are several local dialects that are distinct, and some linguistic minorities that include Turkish and Arabic. There are a handful of speakers of the Hebraic dialects such as Judeo-Italian and Ladino. The predominant religion in Greece is Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Ancient Greeks were pagans that worshipped a pantheon of gods that were featured in many literary works, and still are featured in global popular culture. There are only a handful of traditional Greek pantheists today.


The Hellenic Republic declared independence from the Ottoman empire in 1821 with the Greek war of independence. The Greek peninsula was under Ottoman rule since the mid-1400s, its Greek population under second-class citizen conditions.


Greece has a long history, reaching back into the classical period. Thucydides described the ancient Hellenes as a roaming band of seafarers and pirates. They did not describe themselves as Hellenic until much later, as seen in the Iliad in which they were described as Argives, Acheans, or Danaans. The ancient Greeks later established prominent city-states that served as fertile grounds for the development of unique political experiments and philosophies. These political systems philosophies have served as founding columns of Western civilization. The ancient Greeks faced pressure from outside powers such as the Persians, but were often engaged in internal conflicts, such as the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and Sparta, and their allies. A seafaring people, the Greeks engaged in colonization, first establishing sites that are not often thought of as being Greek in origin, such as Marseilles (Massalia), Istanbul (Byzantium), and Naples (Neopolis).


Greek cuisine traditionally heavily features olive oil, fish, sheep and goat, soft cheeses and herbal and root flavorings. Common street foods include gyros and spanakopita. Greece exports many staple agricultural products such as olives, cotton, pistachios, figs, and almonds. Maritime shipping is a significant industry in Greece, given its geographic location. Tourism is also a large industry, since Greece has a wealth of historical sites, beaches and a welcoming climate.

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The airline launches a new spokesperson and flights starting at $299

Arkia launches its Summer 2025 campaign featuring new spokesperson Orel Tsabari under the slogan “The National Fan.” The company announces summer deals to around 30 destinations starting at $299.

By MEITAL SHARABI/MAARIV
13/06/2025

‘Nobody helped me’: Israeli tourist in Greece attacked for speaking Hebrew, handcuffed by police

"People passed by, and one of them asked me if I was from Israel. I told him yes, and at that moment, he began cursing at me and went into a frenzy," says Meidad Hozeh.

By ABRAHAM BLOCH/MAARIV
11/06/2025

Report: British Museum, Greece agreed on Parthenon loan - museum denies any such deal

Downing Street clarified no intention to amend legislation allowing transfer of Sculptures.

Israeli woman missing in Crete, Greece, searches ongoing

Michal Peleg, 65, was last seen on Wednesday near her home in the village of Kavousi, a popular destination in eastern Crete known for hiking trails.

07/06/2025

Air Haifa begins regular flights from Haifa to Rhodes twice a week

Air Haifa expands its pilot team to support growth, recruiting certified, experienced pilots from France, Finland, Greece, and the Czech Republic through ongoing hiring and training efforts.

Egypt, Greece agree to protect status of Mount Sinai monastery, after court ruling

St Catherine's is a sprawling complex, and according to tradition, it was built around a burning bush where God was said to have spoken to Moses as described in the Book of Exodus.

By REUTERS
05/06/2025

This hotel abroad could solve the problem for every kosher-observant traveler

Just 1 hour from Athens Airport, Israel Canada Hotels opened a glatt kosher resort in Chalkida, Greece, with separate meat & dairy kitchens, a synagogue & rates from €144 per night.

By MEITAL SHARABI/MAARIV , MEITAL SHARABI
04/06/2025

'A drone is circling over us!': Greek Coast Guard drone flies over Greta Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla

The "Madleen" ship broadcast a distress signal after spotting a drone flying over the ship, however, their distress signal was in vain.

Egypt and Greece clash over St. Catherine's – home to Moses's Well, world's oldest library

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assured Greece that the monastery's sanctity will be preserved.

Teenager killed, 68 wounded as earthquake rocks Greek islands, Turkey

Turkish officials confirmed a number of people were hurt after jumping off high structures in a panic when the quake hit.

03/06/2025
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