EXPLORE GREECE 12 KEY FACTS 12-Stroy Library by Peggy Snow
1 Greece Is a Nation of Mountains and Islands Mountains cover much of Greece The Pindus and Rhodope mountain ranges are two of the largest in the country The Olympus range in the northeast features the highest peak Mount Olympus reaches 9,570 feet 2,917 m above sea level In all mountains make up about 80 percent of the Greek landscape Greece is also known for its beautiful islands and beaches More than 2,000 islands surround the country Some are large with people living on them Many are small and uninhabited Islands make up one fifth of the land area Their shores give Greece the longest coastline in Europe Greece is about the size of England It is the southernmost country in Europe Three seas surround most of Greece They are the Mediterranean Aegean and Ionian Four countries share a border with Greece Albania Bulgaria Turkey and Macedonia all lie to the north Mount Olympus is covered in snow for seven months out of the year from November to May 4
Greece has 8,498 miles 13,676 km of coastline THE GODS OF MOUNT OLYMPUS The ancient Greeks believed that 12 gods and goddesses lived on Mount Olympus These deities were called Olympians Each represented a different aspect of nature or life People thought that most of the gods lived on the mountain throughout the year They also believed the gods held meetings to discuss what should happen to the Greek people 5 227 Number of inhabited islands in Greece Mountains make up about 80 percent of the Greek landscape Mount Olympus has the highest peak in the country More than 2,000 islands surround the mainland Greece has the most coastline in Europe
