Situated on the tip of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece has more than 9,000 miles of coastline and 2,000 islands in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. For several centuries, maritime trade has been the most important social, culture, and economic factor. Greece has the largest shipping fleet in the world, and it is therefore not surprising that shipping is the country's largest source of foreign exchange.

A people called Minoans established a civilization on Crete around 3000 B.C. The height of Greek civilization occurred from the fifth century to the third century B.C. During this period, Western philosophy, politics, and drama originated in Athens. Alexander the Great, the country's greatest general and ruler, conquered most of the lands from Greece to Pakistan and established an international trading empire.

Greece abounds with historic temples, fortresses, castles, monasteries, and churches, providing a showcase of Minoan, Mycenaean, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine cultures.

The most popular attraction in Athens is the Acropolis, a fortress dating back to Neolithic times. The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, was the first temple to be built inside this fortress. The Acropolis offers sweeping views of Athens, Piraeus, and the sea. The Theater of Dionysus, built in the fifth century, is situated on a slope below the temple. The Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of the Olympian Zeus are also located near the fortress.

In summer, visitors can watch folk dances in an open-air theater on Philaoppapus hill. Mikrolimano, a quaint community built around a small harbor lined with outdoor taverns, is a popular tourist area.

Thessaloniki, known as the birthplace of the philosopher Aristotle, was founded in 316 B.C. and is now the second largest city. Once a Byzantine metropolis, the city is now a thriving commercial seaport. Artifacts dating from 432 B.C. are displayed in the city's museum.

The ruins of the Temple of Apollo can be viewed in Corinth. Visitors to Mycenae, the legendary home of King Agamemnon, can explore underground tombs. A large number of archaeological treasures discovered at the site are displayed at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. In the stadium at Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C., the sacred flame is never extinguished.

In the south of Greece, leisure travelers enjoy the sun at beaches and island resorts. The islands of Rhodes, Corfu, Mikonos, Crete, and Santorini are the sites of idyllic resorts, ancient ruins, and picturesque yacht harbors. Rhodes is known for its scenic beauty, architectural treasures, and developed tourist facilities. The centerpiece of the island is a walled medieval city built by the Knights of St. John. The hospital, built in the 1400s, is now an archaeological museum.

Corfu and Mykonos have also been developed for tourism. The Achilleion Palace on Corfu has been converted into a casino. The island is dotted with seaside villas, romantic castles, and Georgian architecture dating from the nineteenth century, when the island was occupied by the British. Mykonos is known for its sheer cliffs, domed churches, and luxurious residences.

Crete, the largest Greek island, has a varied landscape ranging from sandy beaches to high mountains. Dining, entertainment, watersports, hunting, and mountain climbing are popular leisure pastimes. The island also has several interesting archaeological sites. Knossos, Phaestos, and Gortyna were built by the Minoans and are among the most ancient cities in Greece. Knossos is famous for the Palace of Minos with its elaborate murals.