Geography of Greece

Greece is a beautiful country located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It shares borders with Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east. The country is surrounded by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea to the east, the Cretan and Libyan seas to the south, and the Ionian Sea to the west, which separates it from Italy.

Greece has a mix of landscapes. Its mainland is mostly mountainous and stretches into a peninsula that reaches into the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the mainland, Greece has many islands, with the largest ones being Crete, Euboea, Lesvos, Rhodes, Chios, Kefalonia, and Corfu. There are also island groups like the Dodecanese and the Cyclades. Smaller peninsulas such as the Chalkidiki and the Peloponnese extend from the mainland, with the latter connected by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth.

The country's position between 35°N and 42°N latitude, and from 19°E to 28°E longitude, creates a variety of climates. This geographic diversity has shaped Greece's history, culture, and way of life for thousands of years, making it an important place in the world.

Physical geography

Greece is located in South Eastern Europe, bordering the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peninsular country with many islands, totaling about 3,000.

The country covers 131,957 km² in area, with 80% of it being mountainous. The highest point is Mount Olympus, rising to 2,917 meters. The landscape includes high peaks, deep canyons, and beautiful islands such as Crete, Euboea, Lesvos, Rhodes, Chios, Kefalonia, and Corfu. Greece also has many natural resources like petroleum, marble, and fish in its surrounding waters.

Environment

Greece is a mostly mountainous country with a very long coastline, featuring many peninsulas and islands. The climate varies, ranging from cold semi-arid areas to cold mountain forests.

The country faces natural hazards such as severe earthquakes, floods, droughts, and wildfires. Current environmental issues include air pollution and water pollution.

Climate

The climate of Greece is mild, with a Mediterranean climate along the coast and islands, and a Continental climate in the mountainous interior. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often reaching 30–35 °C, sometimes even above 40 °C. Winters are cold and humid, with most of the rain falling during this season.

Greece enjoys a lot of sunshine, with up to 12–13 hours of daylight in summer and still six hours even in winter. Snow is common in the mountains but rare on the islands and low-lying areas. Spring and autumn are brief periods of changing weather between the distinct seasons.