| |
 About Greece |
| |
Greece is one of the most fascinating awe-inspiring countries in the world. Its history- rich past, and its fun and lively culture offer a wide range of experiences for new residents. Greece appears as the perfect combination of splendid architecture, majestic ruins, beautiful beaches and tasty Mediterranean food. From the grandeur of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, to the vineyards of Crete, to the ancient Temple of Delphi, and to the quaint houses in Mykonos, Greece is unlike any other.
Greece is a peninsular country, which also encompasses about 2,000 islands, surrounded by the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The country’s location is strategic, dominating the Aegean Sea and the southern approach to the Turkish Straits.
The population of Greece is estimated around 10,700,000. The Greek people descend in part from the ancient Greeks, and in part from the many invaders, over the ages, of the Balkans. Modern vernacular Greek is the official language, and there is a Turkish-speaking minority. Many Greeks also speak English and French. The established church is the Greek Orthodox. It includes the great majority of the population. |
| |
Visas |
| |
Nationals of Australia, Canada, EU countries, Iceland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the USA and many South American countries are allowed to stay in Greece for up to three months without a visa; most others will need a Schengen visa issued in their country of residence; Greece will refuse entry to anyone whose passport indicates that, since November 1983, they have visited North Cyprus. |
| |
Education |
| |
Illiteracy stands at a low figure of 3% in Greece. Schooling is compulsory and free for children. The Greeks value higher education to a great deal, but unfortunately are not always able to secure this for themselves. The law does not allow for private institutions or universities, and the public ones don’t have space for everyone. So entrance is competitive and students have to work twice as hard to get in. |
| |
Money and Costs |
| |
The local currency is the Euro, and Greece is not considered a cheap country. Credit cards are accepted only in the bigger and costlier shops and eateries. Visa, MasterCard, and now the Eurocard are all usable. Most banks have ATMs where you can access your debit account through Maestro and Cirrus networks, and there are also a number of 24-hour banknote exchange machines. |
| |
Health |
| |
In case of an emergency in Greece, you will have to find out which hospital has a particular specialist available for you that night, or you should call 116 for listings.
Most pharmacies have English speaking staff. For late night pharmacies dial 107. |
| |
Weights & Measures |
| |
The official system in Greece is the metric system, measuring weight and mass in kilos and grams, and distance and length in kilometers and centimeters. |
| |
Electricity |
| |
The electricity used in the Greece is a 240-v AC (50-60HZ), so you will need a converter when traveling from the US. |
 Back to top
|
|
Get a Moving Quote 
