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Greece Facts & Worksheets

Greece is the southernmost country in Europe with scattered islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian Seas.

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Greece is the southernmost country in Europe with scattered islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionian Seas. During ancient times, Greece was known as the cradle of western civilization for its influential culture and vibrant history.

See the fact file below for more information on the country of Greece or alternatively, you can download our 27-page Greece worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

  • Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a mountainous country located on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with both land and sea borders.
  • Greece has the 11th longest coastline in the world at 8498 m (13,676 km).
  • Greece also has between 1,200 and 6,000 islands (the definition of the word island differs), of which 227 are inhabited.
  • Crete is the largest and most populated island, followed by Rhodes and Lesbos.
  • The climate of Greece is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
  • Greece is mainly known for its numerous sunny islands, its many beautiful beaches, its ancient temples, sophisticated sculpture, and architecture.

Geography and People

  • Eighty percent of Greece consists of hills or mountains, making the country one of the most mountainous in Europe.
  • Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Greece at 9,573 feet (2917 mt).
  • The country is divided into geographic regions, namely Central Greece, the Peloponnese, Thessaly, Epirus, the Aegean islands, Thrace, Crete, and the Ionian islands.
  • Most of the rivers in Greece are not navigable as many descend from mountains forming gorges. 
  • Hydroelectric plants have been built to generate electricity where a river’s flow is rapid enough.
  • The population of Greece is approximately 10 million.
  • Two-thirds of Greeks live in urban areas like the capital and largest city, Athens. 
  • About 98% of Greeks are ethnic Greeks, while the minority is composed of Turks, Armenians, Macedonians, and Bulgarians.

Greek History

  • Ancient Greece is considered the cradle of western civilization due to its pioneering thoughts in philosophy, literature, mathematics, science, politics, and drama.
  • Around 2000 BCE Minoans in Crete were the first great civilization in ancient Greece until they were conquered by Mycenaeans from the mainland in 1450 BCE.
  • In ancient times, Greece was ruled by noblemen and was divided into independent city-states known as poleis (polis in singular form). Some included Sparta, Athens, Corinth, and Thebes.
  • Around 508 BCE, the world’s first democratic system of government was introduced in Athens by Cleisthenes.
  • In 492 BCE, the Persian Empire invaded mainland Greece but was later defeated by a combined Athens and Sparta. The victory was followed by 50 years of peace known as the Golden Age of Athens.
  • Lack of political unity often bought conflict and war between city-states. From 431 to 404 BCE, the Peloponnesian War broke out, and the Spartans won.
  • It was Philip of Macedon, along with his son Alexander the Great, who united mainland Greece and conquered lands to expand the empire. 
  • By 330 BCE Alexander conquered the Persian Empire, establishing the largest empire in world history.
  • Upon his death, the empire was divided into the Seleucid empire, Ptolemaic Egypt, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, and the Indo-Greek Kingdom. The divide gave way to the Hellenistic civilization, which spread Greek culture and language.
  • During the 2nd century BCE, Greece was conquered by Rome and became a part of the Roman Empire. 
  • By the 4th century, Greece suffered from Barbarian invasions and raids by Goths, Huns, and Slavs until the 7th century, causing its collapse. The Greek peninsula was later ruled by the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
  • In 1832, the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans resulted in a Greek victory. Russia, the United Kingdom, and France sent their respective navy to Greece for backup against the Ottoman-Egyptian coalition.
  • In 1863, Prince Wilhelm of Denmark, known as George I, brought the Ionian Islands back to the Greeks after his coronation as the new monarch. Since then, Greece has faced a series of political disasters and reconstructions.
  • Today, Greece is a unitary parliamentary republic wherein the head of state is elected by the Parliament for a five-year term. The current Constitution specifies the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. It also reinforces civil and social liberties, including women’s right to suffrage.
  • Aside from its rich ancient history, Greeks are also known for their vibrant culture and mythology.
  • Greek structures, especially on the Cyclades Islands, are painted turquoise because of their ancient belief that it keeps away evil spirits.
  • Ancient Greeks are also guided by mythology, including Mt. Olympus as the home of all gods and heroic figures like Hercules, Achilles, and Perseus.
  • Greek myths were also used to explain changing of seasons based on the story of Hades and Persephone. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey highlights the Trojan War with elements of Greek gods and goddesses. Moreover, the famous Judgment of Paris became a popular scene for choosing the most beautiful woman.
  • The first Olympic Games took place in 776 BCE to honor the Olympian gods.
  • Hoplites are ancient Greek soldiers who wore 72 lb (33 kg) of bronze armor.
  • Pythagoras, Euclid, and Archimedes were some of the Greek intellectuals who laid the foundations for modern mathematics.
  • Herodotus was the first Greek historian and father of history after writing a book about the Greco-Persian war.
  • Greeks consider English poet Lord Byron a national hero after spending his money to support and fight for Greece during the war of independence.
  • In 534 BCE, the first Greek tragedy was performed by Thespis, a priest of Dionysus.
  • Classical philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, were all Greeks.
  • Ostracism was a famous method of exiling a person deemed dangerous to the public. A citizen’s name was inscribed in a piece of pottery called an ostracon, wherein a person with the most number of names needed to leave town for 10 years.
  • Alexander the Great was the first ruler of Greece who had his face on coins. Traditionally, gods and goddesses were shown on Greek coins.
  • The national flag of Greece was first officially adopted at the First National Assembly in 1822. It is popularly called the “sky-blue-white.” The Greek flag has nine blue and white horizontal stripes representing the blue sea, sky, and white sand of Greece. The Greek Orthodox cross is represented in the upper right corner of the flag.
  • Greek drachma was the oldest currency in Europe. It was replaced by the Euro in 2002.
  • Numerous world heritage sites, including the Parthenon, Acropolis, Delos, Meteora, and archeological sites in Mystras and Mycenae, are all found in Greece.

Agriculture

  • Greece is one of the European Union’s largest producers of cotton and pistachio nuts. 
  • It also ranks high for the production of olives, almonds, figs, watermelons, tomatoes, and rice.
  • Agriculture contributes nearly 4% of the country’s GDP and employs over 13% of the country’s labor force.
  • Organic farming has vastly increased since 2000.

Tourism

  • Tourism is a key element of the economic activity in the country, contributing over 20% of the gross domestic product.
  • Greece is one of the most visited countries in Europe, with the number of visitors surpassing 31 million before COVID struck the world.

Greece Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Greece across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Greece worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Greece which is the southernmost country in Europe with scattered islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionian Seas. During ancient times, Greece was known as the cradle of western civilization for its influential culture and vibrant history.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Greece Facts
  • Mapping the Balkan Peninsula
  • Country Profile
  • Everything Greek!
  • Famous Philosophers
  • Mythology
  • Greek Cuisine
  • Ancient Greek Life
  • Grecian Influence
  • Wonders of Greece
  • Sunny Days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greece famous for?

Greece is famous for its ancient philosophers, like Plato, Pythagoras, Socrates, and Aristotle. It also invented the Olympic Games and theater. 

What is Greece’s most famous dish?

Probably the most famous Greek dish, eaten all over the world, is moussaka. It consists of layers of fried aubergine, minced meat, and potatoes, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and then baked until golden brown.

What is the Greek national animal?

Greece is home to four species of dolphins. The national animal is the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ). 

Does Greece have nice beaches?

Greece has dozens of amazing beaches renowned for their cleanness. Some are pebbled and some sandy, some secluded, some laden with umbrellas and chairs for holidaymakers. All have beautiful clear water for swimming. Greece is ranked by the Blue Flag Program among the top three countries with the best quality beaches and coasts.

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Link will appear as Greece Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 1, 2018

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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