2. What Greece’s Flag Stands ForWhat Greece’s Flag Stands For
• The cross represents the Greek OrthodoxThe cross represents the Greek Orthodox
faith.faith.
• Blue stands for the sea and sky, which areBlue stands for the sea and sky, which are
also associated with both the paganalso associated with both the pagan
goddess Aphrodite and with the Christiangoddess Aphrodite and with the Christian
mother of God, the Virgin Mary. Themother of God, the Virgin Mary. The
shade has varied over the years.shade has varied over the years.
• White symbolizes purity.White symbolizes purity.
4. Greece’s PhysicalGreece’s Physical
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
• 1.) Greece is on the southern part of the1.) Greece is on the southern part of the
Balkan peninsula.Balkan peninsula.
• 2.) Mount Olympus is the largest2.) Mount Olympus is the largest
mountain in Greece (9570 ft).mountain in Greece (9570 ft).
• 3.) Greece is home to a series of ancient3.) Greece is home to a series of ancient
volcanoes. Most are on islands, and thevolcanoes. Most are on islands, and the
latest eruption occurred in 1950, on thelatest eruption occurred in 1950, on the
island of Santorini.island of Santorini.
• 4.) Greece has 3,000 islands but only 1404.) Greece has 3,000 islands but only 140
are inhabited.are inhabited.
5. FactsFacts
• SocietySociety
– Population-10,787,690Population-10,787,690
– Life expectancy-78 years (M: 76/F: 81years)Life expectancy-78 years (M: 76/F: 81years)
• EconomyEconomy
– developed capitalist country ranking 31developed capitalist country ranking 31stst
world wide inworld wide in
gross domestic product. However, Greece is in debtgross domestic product. However, Greece is in debt
and in bad economic trouble.and in bad economic trouble.
– Most people work in service industries or inMost people work in service industries or in
manufacturing.manufacturing.
– Currency- Greece is a member of the European UnionCurrency- Greece is a member of the European Union
and uses the Euro. It is in debt and economic trouble.and uses the Euro. It is in debt and economic trouble.
• GovernmentGovernment
– republic with a legislative body called parliament and arepublic with a legislative body called parliament and a
presidentpresident
– Official Name-Hellenic RepublicOfficial Name-Hellenic Republic
6. Greece’s CultureGreece’s Culture
• Most of Greece—97 percent—is ChristianMost of Greece—97 percent—is Christian
Orthodox. The other three percent are Muslim,Orthodox. The other three percent are Muslim,
Roman Catholic, and Jewish.Roman Catholic, and Jewish.
• Greece's official language is Greek, with 2 or 3Greece's official language is Greek, with 2 or 3
percent speaking Macedonian, Albanian, orpercent speaking Macedonian, Albanian, or
Turkish.Turkish.
• Greek literature includes poetry, myths,Greek literature includes poetry, myths,
drama, philosophy, history, and travel books.drama, philosophy, history, and travel books.
7. Greece’s Customs and TraditionsGreece’s Customs and Traditions
• 1.) Some Greeks believe that spitting chases the devil1.) Some Greeks believe that spitting chases the devil
and misfortune away. That is why when someone talksand misfortune away. That is why when someone talks
about bad news, the others slightly spit, saying threeabout bad news, the others slightly spit, saying three
times “ftou, ftou, ftou.”times “ftou, ftou, ftou.”
• 2.) In Greece the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th and2.) In Greece the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th and
not Friday the 13th.not Friday the 13th.
• 3.) Most Greeks are named after a religious saint. A very3.) Most Greeks are named after a religious saint. A very
important Greek tradition that takes place is thatimportant Greek tradition that takes place is that
everyone who has a name coming from a sainteveryone who has a name coming from a saint
celebrated by the church celebrates his name on a givencelebrated by the church celebrates his name on a given
day of the year. On the name day of someone, hisday of the year. On the name day of someone, his
friends and family visit him without invitation and offerfriends and family visit him without invitation and offer
their wishes as well as small presents. The hostess oftheir wishes as well as small presents. The hostess of
the house offers pastries, sweets, and hors d’oeuvres tothe house offers pastries, sweets, and hors d’oeuvres to
the guests. In Greece, name days are more importantthe guests. In Greece, name days are more important
than birthdays.than birthdays.
8. My Favorite Greek Food: DolmadesMy Favorite Greek Food: Dolmades
• Mix onions, ground beef,Mix onions, ground beef,
lemon, minestra, fresh mintlemon, minestra, fresh mint
and dill weed, lemon, etc.and dill weed, lemon, etc.
• Wash grape leavesWash grape leaves
• Flatten the grape leaf on aFlatten the grape leaf on a
plateplate
• Fill with some of the mixtureFill with some of the mixture
• Turn in the ends and rollTurn in the ends and roll
• Cook in a large pot with theCook in a large pot with the
juice from the grape leaves.juice from the grape leaves.
