Travel to Greece means a chance to learn more about ancient Greeks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Air pollution. The Ancient Greeks occupied a unique place in history, and the ancient city of Delphi is among the most famous. The ancient city of Delphi is home to the world’s largest collection of classical sculptures. It is also home to several ancient Greek monuments, including the Temple of Poseidon. Here are some tips for planning a trip to Greece.
Ancient Greeks
Education was extremely important to the Ancient Greeks. Boys and girls were taught differently. Girls were taught domestic skills such as cooking and washing, while boys attended school and studied math, poetry, and physical education. Boys were also trained in athletics, which led to their vocation as soldiers. Girls were rarely educated beyond childhood. Their mothers tended to educate them. But there are important differences between boys and girls in ancient Greek education. Let’s explore some of these differences to gain an understanding of the ancient Greeks.
Katharevousa (purified) Greek
Before the Greek state was founded in 1776, the country had another official language: Katharevousa, a learned version of Ancient Greece. The language was purified by two powerful linguists after the Turks were expelled. They tried to make it as similar to Classical Greek as possible. The result was a very complicated language that was almost never spoken by the average Greek. Despite its many shortcomings, the language remained the official language in Greece until 1975.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
One of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece is Meteora, which is a collection of twenty-four monasteries atop a hill. The monasteries were founded around 60 million years ago, and have since attracted visitors from around the world. The monasteries are interconnected by stairs, ropes, and baskets, and are ideal for hiking or rock climbing.
Air pollution
For many years, air pollution in Greece has been a serious environmental problem. It is directly related to the rapid urbanization of Greece, the increased use of motor vehicles, central heating, and industrial facilities. The worst period of air pollution was during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in Athens. However, in recent years, air quality in urban areas has improved, especially with the replacement of older, polluting vehicles with new ones that have catalytic converters. These technologies have significantly reduced the pollution levels.
Tourism
Situated in southeastern Europe, Greece has a population of more than 30 million. The country is made up of thousands of islands and is often considered the cradle of western civilization. The capital city of Athens, located on the mainland, retains the Parthenon temple and the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel, the largest structure in the world, is also located there. Beaches in Greece are a popular draw, particularly the black beaches of Santorini and the party islands of Mykonos.
Democracy
The Greek elections of May and June 2012 marked a dramatic change in the country’s political landscape. In May, the two protagonists of Greek politics collapsed, while in June, smaller pro-European parties maintained their parliamentary strength. The Greek elections also signaled a new era of political polarisation. Although Syriza and the Communist Party of Greece are now battling for power, the country’s political scene remains fractured.
Culture
One of the most fascinating aspects of Greek culture is the way that people dress. The younger generation is very fashionable, and men and women rarely have less fashionable looks. While older generations dress casually, this emphasis on fashion and style is indicative of a materialistic society. Women often work long hours in small shops, while men often sit at a traditional cafe. In general, higher education is very important and is considered to be a measure of success in Greece. Thousands of students compete every year for the few places available in university.
Language
The Greek language combines classical vocabulary with a rich morphological system. Its inflectional system is rich and has retained many aspects of the classical Greek alphabet, including three tones based on pitch. Its phonology combines a tendency to move vowels forward and a weakening of final consonants. Inflectional structures were highly developed in Greek, with five cases, three genders, four moods, and a distinction between past, present, and future tense.