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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 85 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Greece
| What is the large mountain range than runs through central Greece (It's the largest mountain range in Greece -- the 'Greek Rockies'- although nowhere near as tall!)? | Geography of Greece
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The Pindos Mountains. The Taygetos Mountains don't exist--at least not as a mountain range. There is a mountain named Taygetos in southern Greece. The Urals are in Russia. The Appenines are located in Italy. Many of the mountains in the Pindos Range range from about 6500 to 8600 ft.
80. That's a lot of hills and mountains! Much of this type of terrain consists of lower-lying hills and small mountains, many of them dry of any vegetation, but others contain beautiful conifer forests of spruce and pine.
| Which location in Athens did the Apostle Paul (in the New Testament) give a speech from? (hint: think planetary) | Geography of Greece
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Mars Hill. Mars Hill was also known in Greek as Pnyka Hill. The Apostle Paul gave his speech on that hill at the Areopagos--a type of central public place in ancient Athens where philosophers, teachers, affluent citizens and orators would converge to give speeches, offer their opinions, discuss issues of the day and debate. For those of you familiar with Roman history, this would be similar to the Forum in ancient Rome.
| Geography and mythology: which Greek island did the famous mythological adventurer-hero Odysseus hail from? | Geography of Greece
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Ithaca. He did eventually return to Ithaca (on Greece's western coast)--after years of wild adventures (including being almost seduced by a wily sorceress). His wife Penelope was still waiting for him--as faithful as ever. As for the choices, Crete and Mytilene are islands in Greece, but can't lay their claim to fame as Odysseus' home. Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean, and Malta is just south of Sicily.
| The Parthenon was built in honor of which wise and well-known Greek goddess? | Geography of Greece
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Athena. Athena, as her name suggests, was the patron goddess of Athens, and was the goddess of war, wisdom and knowledge. According to Greek mythology, Athena was born in a rather unique way: she sprang fully-formed and already-grown from her father Zeus' head. Ouch!
Kerkyra. Corfu (Kerkyra) has been a travel hot spot for a long time, and this island has been documented in poetry and literature, as it has been a favorite destination of European travelers. The Greeks call this island Kerkyra.
over 1400. That's a lot of islands! Out of that number, only 169 of Greece's islands are inhabited.
| What connects the southern Greek region of Pelopponesus with the rest of the Greek mainland? | Geography of Greece
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The Isthmus of Corinth. The other choices are all my inventions, although the place names do exist. The plans to cut through the narrow neck of land connecting Pelopponesus with the rest of Greece were formulated in ancient times, but did not become a reality until the 1890s. This allows ships to cross from the Aegean on through to the Ionian Seas (the two bodies of water on either side of Greece) without them having to go the long circuitous route of around Pelopponesus. Think of a smaller version of the Panama Canal!
Crete. Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean. Pantelleria and Elba (home of Napoleon's exile) are little islands elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Mytelini, also known as Lesvos or Lebvos, and Samothraki are Greek islands, but nowhere as large as Crete.
| Greece was the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and Athens hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics. The site of Olympia is located in the northwestern part of the southern region of Greece, Pelopponesus. In what year did the first Olympc Games take place? | Geography of Greece
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776 B.C.. The first Olympic Games occurred in Olympia in 776 B.C. Many of the ancient ruins still stand, and you can walk the length of the ancient stadium and almost picture the crowds seated in the tiered seats (no longer visible) along the sides. Athletes competed in various skills and contests to display their endurance, stamina and overall physical prowess. Men ran in footraces naked (!) and participated in other contests of athletic skill. As for the other choices, A.D. 460 B.C. is in the midst of Greece's Golden Age, and 1896 is the year in which the Olympic Games were resurrected in the form of the modern Olympics.
laurel wreaths. Laurel wreaths (bay leaves) were considered a true prize -- a symbol of champions awarded to the very best. How times have changed!
European Union. This is an organization of European countries that works toward political, economic, governmental and social unity.
Athens. Athens is also the economic center of Greece.
more than 2000. The largest is Crete.
Europe. Southernmost country in Europe. It is at the end of the Balkan Peninsula.
Soccer. Greece has a professional league made up of 16 teams.
| March 25th is Independence day. It celebrates Greece's independence from which country? | Greece - The Country
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1880s. There are about 1,000 miles of train tracks in Greece.
Olympic Airways. Greece's main airports include: Ellikon in Athens and Macedonia in Thessaloniki.
Alexander the Great's sister. About 400,000 people live in Thessaloniki.
Greek. It is the oldest language spoken in Europe.
Balkan Peninsula. Spain and Portugal make up the Iberian Peninsula. The Crimean Peninsula is part of Ukraine. There is no Baltic Peninsula.
blue. Blue and white are the colors associated with Greece. Doors and shutters are often painted blue on whitewashed house. This is especially noticable in rural areas.
Aegean. The Mediterranean is to the south. The Ionian Sea lies to the west. The Adriatic lies between Italy and the northern Balkan peninsula.
false . Rhodes lies just south of Turkey.
Thessaloniki (Salonika). Thessaloniki is an important port in northeast Greece.
true . The Pindus Mountains which run from north to south, are the main mountain range.
Gulf of Corinth. Peloponnesus is joined to northern Greece by a narrow isthmus across which runs the Corinth canal.
mild, wet winters, hot, dry summers. This type of climate is known as a Mediterranean climate.
March 25th. Greece's Independence Day was first celebrated on March 25th, 1821. This date marked the start of their war of independence against the Ottoman Empire.
type of liquor. Ouzo is a liquor with a strong smell. It's anise flavored and it can also be used in desserts.
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