National Symbols of Greece

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Greece, the most southeastern European country, is the country with the longest coastline in Europe. Having more than 6000 islands, Greece is well known for its islands in the blue Aegean Sea to the east, in the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and in the Ionian Sea to the west. Being the cradle of Western Civilization with its ancient history, Greece has the national motto “Eleftheria I Thanatos – Freedom or Death.” The national language is Greek. The capital Athens is the biggest city and is located in the southern part of the mainland. Greece has some diversity in ethnicity with Greeks, Arvanites, Pomaks, and Pontic Greeks. Being devoted to the Greek Orthodox Church, most of the population see religion as a vital part of their identity. Greece is a member state of the European Union, so the monetary unit used is “Euro.” The country code is +30, while the national domain is “.gr.”

Being the first people to rule the region and speak Greek, Mycenaeans are considered the country’s founders. The 25th of March, the national day (also called the Greek Independence Day), is when Greece got its independence from the Ottomans in 1821. The national hero Markos Botsaris was a general and a hero who fought in the Greek Independence War. The national colors of Greece are blue and white. Greece’s national flag consists of nine horizontal stripes of blue and white with a blue canton bearing a white cross on the upper left corner. The national emblem is a white orthodox cross on a blue background surrounded by blue and white olive tree leaves.

Greece has many national symbols, such as the national monument Acropolis of Athens. Located on a rocky hilltop near Athens, Acropolis is an ancient citadel consisting of many historically significant buildings under UNESCO’s protection. The national mausoleum is a cenotaph dedicated to every soldier in Greek history who died for their country; “Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.”

Danced in a circle with holding hands, Kalamatianos is the national dance and another national symbol of Greece. Typically dancers wear the national dresses, which consists of a “foustanella” or trousers, a shirt called “poukamiso,” a vest called “yeleko” or “meindani,” a sash called “zonari,” unique leg coverings called “kaltses,” and leg garters called “gonatares,” and shoes called “tsarouhia.” The national musical instrument is a long-necked lute called bouzouki. Greece’s national poets are Homeros from ancient Greece and Dionysios Solomos, whose poems later became the lyrics of the national anthem “Hymn to Liberty.”

Greece’s national dish is an eggplant-based dish called Mousaka. The national drink is the anis-based alcoholic beverage “ouzo.” Olive Olea Europaea, the olive tree, is another national symbol and the national tree grown in every village in Greece. Acanthus Mollis, also known as the bear’s breech, is the national flower. Dolphin is the country’s national animal, while the national bird is the little owl.

Football is the national sport which is the most-watched sport in Greece. The country also has its own airlines called the Aegean Airlines.

Country information

Former name(s)	Hellas
Official name(s)	The Hellenic Republic
Alternative name(s)	Hellenic Republic (official, English)
Regional location	Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey
Country name etymology	Unknown
Climate	Temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain	Mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands
Population	10,423,054
National Day	25 Mar 1821
Language(s)	Greek
Religion	Christianity Greek Orthodoxy
Country code	+30
Literacy rate	97.4%
Currency	Euro
Capital city	Athens
ISO	GRC
Domain(TLD)	.gr
Ethnicity	Greeks, Arvanites, Pomaks, and Pontic Greeks
Head of government	Prime Minister
Nationality	Greek
Driving side	Drive on the Right-hand side
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Total area	131,957 km2 (50,949 sq mi)
Timezone	UTC+02:00 (Eastern European Time)
Average elevation	498 m (1,634 ft)
Coastline	13,676 Km
Mains electricity	230 V
Emergency telephone numbers	Emergency Telephone Numbers

Coat of arms

Flag map of Greece

Motto of Greece

Ελευθερία ή θάνατος - Eleftheria i thanatos - "Freedom or Death"

National animal of Greece

The National animal of Greece is Dolphin

National flower of Greece

The National flower of Greece is Bear's Breech. Botanical name is Acanthus Mollis.

National bird of Greece

The National bird of Greece is Little owl

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Neighbouring countries of Greece

Greek Proverbs - Popular quotes, proverbs and sayings.

Great abilities produce great vices as well as virtues.

Men who have lost heart never yet won a trophy.

A truth spoken before its time is dangerous.

The rain wets the leopard's spots but does not wash them off.

First secure an independent income, then practice virtue.

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