Kid's Guide to Greece

KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Greece

Santorini Island 1

Welcome to Greece There are thousands of islands that fall within the territory of Greece, with more than 150 of them occupied. Greece borders Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

Let’s learn about Greece from kids like you.

Kostas lives in the capital, Athens, in the southeast part of the country. He is 10 years old.

Kostas is a nickname. It is short for Konstantinos,which means “constant and steadfast.”

Kostas likes to play tennis. He would like to play professionally, like his tennis idol, Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Kostas plays tennis every day. He takes lessons, too. He learns about the proper form for serving the ball. Kostas likes the sound when he hits the tennis ball!

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Eleni is Kostas’s sister.

Her name is related to the names Elena and Helen and means “sun ray.” Eleni is in elementary school.

She has lots of friends.

Eleni likes to paint. She enjoys being creative and likes to use lots of colors when she paints.

Eleni also likes to read. She especially likes reading about the gods and goddesses from Greek mythology.

Kostas and Eleni love their country and hope you will, too. Let’s learn some more about Greece.

Ελλάδα

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Where in the World?

Greece covers about 132,000 square kilometers (51,000 square miles) of southeast Europe and occupies the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece has more than 13,000 km (8,000 mi) of coastline, along the Aegean, Cretan, Libyan, and Ionian seas, all of which are part of the larger Mediterranean Sea. Mainland Greece occupies a mountainous region, with the Pindus the largest mountain range in the country, running north to south.

In between the rocky regions are many fertile valleys, which spread from mountain foothills to the coastal plains.

Dimitra lives on the island of Crete. It is the largest and most populated of the Greek islands. Crete is south of the country’s mainland.

GREECE

Yiannis lives on Corfu. It is the northernmost of the Ionian islands in Greece, located off the country’s northwest coast.

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Can You Find It? Arta

Samos

Athens

Sparta

Irakleion

Thessaloniki

Katerini

Tripoli 5

Greece’s mainland and islands have a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. There is a wet season from October through March, and a dry season lasting from April through September. The mountains affect these conditions, and colder temperatures are common in highland areas.

Sophia lives in Thessaloniki, in the northeast part of the country. Icy winds come down from Eurasia and can turn the weather cool in her city.

Greece’s high mountain ranges, rolling plains, coastal regions, and Mediterranean islands give the nation exceptional biodiversity.

A wide variety of trees and mammals live throughout the country.

Greece is also a hotspot for birds, with species from Asia, Africa, and Europe migrating through the region. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea are home to Mediterranean monk seals, loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and porpoises.

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Mount Olympus

Meteora

Meteora Located in central Greece, Meteora is an extensive region featuring a collection of gigantic rocks. The word meteora means “suspended in the air,” which describes the many monasteries located there, some dating to the 14th century.

Crete

Mount Olympus Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, located in Mount Olympus National Park.

According to Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods and goddesses.

Crete Crete is the largest and most populated island in Greece and is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It has a rugged and rocky character, with mountains, deep gorges, and plateaus.

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History 776 BCE The first Olympic Games are held at the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia. Athletes gather to compete in events including foot races, boxing, and wrestling.

399 BCE Socrates is sentenced to death for “corrupting young minds.” His Socratic method of instruction through inquiry survives into the 21st century.

35 CE The Apostle Paul brings Christianity to Greece when he preaches in Athens. Greece becomes the most Christianized region of the Roman Empire.

324 Greek Orthodox Christianity becomes the dominant religious practice in Greece, and the Greek language remains the most common in the land.

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1453 For more than three centuries, Greece is part of the Ottoman Empire, though the Greek people largely resist the pressure to abandon their Christianity.

1827 The combined forces of the Great Powers (Russia, Great Britain, and France) finally destroy the Ottoman and Egyptian armada, and Turkish rule of Greece is finished.

1906 The country’s agricultural system fails to produce enough food to feed an expanding population.

More than a quarter of a million Greeks immigrate to the United States.

2002 The drachma, which was introduced as the modern currency of Greece in 1832, is replaced by the euro.

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People The vast majority of Greece is comprised of ethnic Greeks.

Minority ethnic groups include Turks, Albanians, North Macedonians, Bulgarians, Armenians, and Jews.

Altin has Albanian ancestry. His lessons at school are taught in Greek, but he speaks Albanian with his family at home.

The island nation has seen a recent rise in illegal immigrants arriving by sea, as people escaping war-torn countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan make desperate attempts to enter Europe.

Greek is the official language, although English and French are also widely spoken.

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Religion has considerable influence in the lives of Greeks. It is a source of national identity.

People believe that to be Greek is to belong to the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Greek Orthodox Church has a high degree of authority in all matters, including those related to political decisions. However despite a high percentage of “believers,” only about 20 percent of Greeks attend church services regularly.

Karisa’s family practices Orthodox Christianity. She was the flower girl during her aunt’s wedding. Her name comes from a Greek word meaning “beloved.”

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Names Anastasia Anastasia is a Greek name meaning “resurrection.”

Ambrose

Ambrose is a Greek name meaning “divine” or “immortal.”

Phaedra Phaedra is a Greek name meaning “bright.”

Leander

Leander is a Greek name meaning “lion man.”

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e (Male) Nam

Andreas

Origin

M e aning

Greek

manly

Greek

messenger of God

Antonios

Latin

praiseworthy

Christos

Greek

follower of Christ

Fotios

Greek

light

Greek

small, humble

Petros Spyridon Stavros

Greek Greek Greek

rock basket stake, cross

Theodoros

Greek

God’s gift

Angelos

Pavlos

e (Female) Nam

Origin

M e aning

Angeliki

Greek

angelic

Athina

Greek

wise

Christina Chrysoula

Latin Greek

follower of Christ golden

Eleftheria

Greek

freedom

Ioanna

Hebrew

“God is gracious”

Margarita

Sanskrit

pearl

Ourania

Greek

heavenly

Stamatia

Greek

pause, stop

Vasiliki

Greek

royal 13

Learn Greek Greek, the official language of Greece, is spoken by 99 percent of the population. Greek has a number of dialects, which are forms of the language spoken in different regions.

Geiá souo

YAH-soo (Hello)

Kaliméra

Kah-lee-MEH-rah (Good morning)

Légomai ___

LEH-go-meh ___ (My name is ___)

Ti kánete

tee KAH-neh-teh (How are you?)

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Peináo

Pee-NA-oh (I’m hungry)

Dipsáo

deep-SAOW (I’m thirsty)

Efcharistó

Ef-kha-ree-STO (Thank you)

Parakaló

Pah-rah-kah-LO (Please)

Nai

Neh (Yes)

Óchi

O-hih (No)

Antío

Ah-DEE-oh (Goodbye) 15

Holidays and Festivals Greece has a rich and dynamic culture, and Greeks celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year.

Here are a few:

Orthodox Easter Easter Sunday is one of the most important celebrations in Christianity, when Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Greeks traditionally gather with their families to feast on lamb cooked outdoors on a spit.

Carnival Season (Apokria) The Greek Carnival Season (Apokria) is a three-week period of celebration before Lent. Apokria begins with a sumptuous feast of roast goat or lamb, followed by two weeks of festivities in different regions.

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New Year’s Day (Protohronia) Greek children wait anxiously for New Year’s Day because legend has it that St. Basil delivers gifts to children on this day. They watch fireworks and eat vasilopita, a special new year’s cake.

Epiphany In the Greek Orthodox Church, Epiphany commemorates Jesus Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan. The event marked the beginning of his public life.

The feast of the Epiphany is the official end of the Christmas season.

Clean Monday This holiday, also known as Shrove Monday or Pure Monday, occurs seven weeks before Easter. Most families go to the countryside or the beach for a picnic. Although meat, fish, and dairy products are not allowed, plenty of vegetables, salads, breads, and olives can make the meal a festive one.

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Food The Greek style of cooking reflects Mediterranean and Balkan influences and emphasizes the country’s outstanding local ingredients­­—notably lamb, seafood, grapes, and olives.

The hot, dry Mediterranean climate is ideal for farming, and the Greek diet is particularly well-rounded. Meat dishes emphasizing goat, sheep, and seafood are popular on the islands and coastal regions. Grains such as wheat, barley, and rice are popular. Dairy products, especially feta cheese, are key ingredients in many dishes.

Spanakopita Spanakopita is a traditional Greek savory pastry made of spinach, onions, and feta cheese wrapped in phyllo dough and cut into triangles.

Avgolemono Avgolemono is an eastern Mediterranean soup made with broth, egg yolks, and lemon juice, heated until thick, but not boiled, so the egg doesn’t curdle.

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Horiatiki Salata A mix of fresh tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and feta cheese, many would call this a “Greek salad.”

Lachano Dolmades Lachano dolmades are rolled cabbage leaves stuffed with herbed rice and sometimes meat.

Moussaka This famous Greek dish is made of sliced potatoes, eggplants, and onions with ground beef and béchamel, a milky white sauce.

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Horta

Horta is a dish of steamed greens dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. It is sometimes eaten as a light meal with potatoes during Lent.

Souvlaki Anything grilled on a skewer (lamb, chicken, pork, swordfish, shrimp) is considered souvlaki, but the dish is most commonly grilled lamb that has been marinated.

Baklava Baklava is a sweet, chewy, yet slightly crunchy honey-drenched nut and phyllo dough pastry served throughout Greece.

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Horiatiki Salata (Chopped Vegetable Salad)

Also called village or country salad, horiatiki salata is a mainstay in Greek restaurants, both in Greece itself and around the world.

This quick, easy chopped salad has a salty, tangy flavor.

Total Time

10 min

Ingredients 2 ripe medium tomatoes, cut into wedges 1 cucumber, sliced in pieces ½ inch thick 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced ½ medium green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips ¼ cup (40 g) kalamata olives 2 oz (56 g) feta cheese, cut into cubes 4 Tbsp (60 ml) red wine vinegar ½3 cup (80 ml) olive oil Fresh oregano leaves, for garnish

Directions Prepare tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green bell pepper, and olives.

Either plate prepared vegetables for individual servings or place in a large bowl to serve family-style.

Cube feta and add to vegetables.

Pour vinegar into a small bowl and whisk in olive oil.

Drizzle mixed vinegar and olive oil over salad and toss.

6 Lightly garnish with oregano before serving.

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National Symbols National Bird (unofficial) Little Owl (common name) Athene noctua (scientific name)

National Day Independence Day March 25

National Flower (unofficial) Bear’s Breech (common name) Acanthus mollis (scientific name)

National Animal (unofficial) Common dolphin (common name) Delphinus delphis (scientific name)

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National Flag First used – March 27, 1822 (current version 1978) Nickname – “The Blue-White”

National Currency Greece’s official currency is the European Union euro.

1 euro = 100 cents

National Anthem “Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian” (“Ode to Freedom”) Lyrics by: Dionýsios Solomós

Transliteration

English Translation

Segnoriso apo tin Kopsi tou spathiou tin tromeri; Segnoriso apo tin opsi pou me via metra tin yi.

Ap ta Kokkala vyalmeni ton ellinon ta iera Ke san prot’ anthriomeni haire o hair’eleftheria.

Ke san prot’ anthriomeni haire o hair’eleftheria, Ke san prot’ anthriomeni haire o hair’eleftheria.

I shall always recognize you By the dreadful sword you hold, As the earth, with searching vision, You survey, with spirit bold.

‘Twas the Greeks of old whose dying Brought to birth our spirit free.

Now, with ancient valour rising, Let us hail you, oh Liberty!

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Things to See and Do Temple of Hephaestus Also known as Hephaesteum or Hephaesteion, this wellpreserved temple dates back to 449 BCE. It is mostly made of marble and is a place of great cultural and historical significance in Athens.

Acropolis of Athens The Acropolis is a plateaued rock about 150 meters (492 feet) above sea level. It offers a magnificent view of the city and includes many interesting architectural works dating back to the classical period of the ancient Greeks. One of the most striking and famous structures is the Parthenon.

National Garden of Athens The park’s popularity lies in the fact that it contains some of Greece’s most interesting ancient ruins, including Corinthian columns and mosaics. Busts of various famous Greeks are spread throughout the park.

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Acropolis Museum Located at the southeast corner of the base of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum is one of the most important museums in Athens.

It houses interesting and rare artifacts, ancient statues used in religious ceremonies, and relics found in and around the Acropolis during excavations.

Attica Zoological Park Attica Zoological Park is a private zoo that is the only one of its kind in the country. The main attraction is its African savannah habitat. The zoo has the third largest collection of birds in the world and houses a number of endangered animal species.

Cultural Park and Museum of Greek Folklore Visitors to this cultural site learn about traditional Greek professions such as winemaking, pressing olive oil and, baking through a variety of experiential and educational programs.

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Samaria Gorge National Park This park is a place of spectacular natural beauty. One of the most famous areas in the gorge is the “Iron Gates.”

Syntagma Square This Athens square is famous for political demonstrations and is marked by a statues, trees, and a fountain at the center.

Arch of Hadrian The Arch of Hadrian is a national landmark, located in Athens near the Acropolis. It is made of Greek marble and is 18 meters (59 feet) tall.

Panathenaic Stadium This stadium is the only major stadium in the world constructed entirely of white marble, with a seating capacity of 50,000.

It was built in 330 BCE for the Panathenaic Games and was restored in 140 CE. It was used during the 2004 Summer Olympics.

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Location Guide Temple of Hephaestus Acropolis of Athens

Cultural Park and Museum of Greek Folklore

National Garden

Samaria Gorge National Park

of Athens

Syntagma Square

Acropolis Museum Attica Zoological Park

Arch of Hadrian Panathenaic Stadium 27

Fun Facts Sunglasses Needed!

Greece is one of the sunniest places in the world, having about 300 sunny days each year. That is about 3,000 hours of sunshine.

Full of Color The island of Santorini has beaches named for the color of the sand. The beaches are literally named “Black Beach,” “White Beach,” and “Red Beach.” The island’s volcanic past results in the black sand beaches, while the red beach is a result of red lava cliffs.

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Speaking Greek The word alphabet comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, “alpha” (A) and “beta” (β). It is one of approximately 150,000 English words that derive from the Greek language, among them economy, academy, paradise, poem, school, and decade.

Step Up Santorini is full of stairs, and getting from place to place may feel like a workout. There are about 350 to 400 steps from Oia village to Amoudi Bay down below. The climb from Imerovigli to Skaros Rock is about 300 steps.

Get Tough The expression “taking the bull by its horns” comes from a Greek myth. The saying, which refers to dealing with a difficult situation in a direct way, comes from the story of Hercules saving Crete from an angry bull by grabbing its horns.

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KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Greece Rhodes

Santorini

Athens

Meteora

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