Greece I. Introduction: Greece is historically, geologically and culturally ri

Greece
   Our next stop is Greece. I will introduce to you a historically, geologically and culturally rich place — Greece.
   Firstly, I will bring you to have a look at Greek’s landscape. Greece is a land of rugged mountains, shady olive trees, more varieties of wildflowers than any other European country, and islands scattered like jewels across a brilliant blue sea. According to ancient mythology, in a war between gods, the Titans tore the tops from mountains, using them as weapons. The rocky peaks fell into the sea, thus creating the many islands of Greece. Mythology, history, and folklore have shaped the way people think in this ancient land; the land itself has shaped their way of life.
   Greece is divided into regions and island groups. The landscape, with its barren mountainside, 9, 000-mile-long coastline, and many islands, has always shaped its people, the way they live, and the type of work they do. No one lives more than 60 miles from the sea. Because of the rugged terrain and dry, rocky soil, agriculture is restricted to one third of the land.
   Now, let’s get to know how the nation grows. Although farmland is limited, half of the Greek population works in agriculture. For a long time, agricultural products such as olives, figs, raisins, tobacco, sugar, and wheat were the country’s most valuable assets. The bare, rocky land is perfect for growing olive trees. Farms, however, are small. Often three generations share both a home and the farm chores. Today, the government is encouraging farmers to specialize. Exporting the additional production would provide added revenue for Greece.
   Greece has some of the world’s richest ship owners; its merchant fleet is the sixth largest in the world. In villages along the coast and on the islands, a great many other Greeks earn their living from the sea. Using open, single-mast wooden fishing boats, whole families are involved with the sea. Once, sponge fishing was a vital industry. Unfortunately, as more people buy man-made, less expensive sponges, the market for natural sponges is dying out.
   Many Greeks work in the tourist industry. Spectacular historic sites abound on the mainland, while the islands, in particular, draw people from all over the world. In summer, ferries constantly ply the waters among them. Many of the islands have beautiful beaches, picturesque windmills, and snow-white streets. The sun is hot; the sky is clear, sparkling blue. The climate, a combination of Mediterranean and European, affects all three industries — agriculture, fishing and tourism. Athens can be 100 degree Fahrenheit in the shade in July and August. In summer, strong winds cause rough seas, affecting both fishing and ferryboats.
   Then, we will see how its language develops. "It’s Greek to me, " is often said when something is beyond one’s understanding or especially difficult But nothing could be further from the truth. The Greek Alphabet and language look and sound exotic and complicated, but they shaped the vocabulary of western languages, including English.
   When early people began to write, they drew pictures that represented what they were writing about. In about 2, 000 B. C, early Greeks developed a system of picture. They used this system to keep accurate records of goods they stored and exported. Their picture writing spread from the island to mainland Greece.
   By 1100 B. C., the Greek world was crumbling. As the Greeks abandoned their cities, they forgot about writing. Greece entered a period known as the Dark Ages. No written records survive from this time and foreign records mention little about the Greeks. But gradually the Greeks prospered and the population grew.
   Today about ten million people speak Greek. Greek words spread from the New Testament and other texts to Latin, German and English. Greek provides the vocabulary for many arts and sciences. Many English prefixes and suffixes come from Greek. For example, the prefix "psycho", as in psychology, means "the mind" or "mental activity". The suffix "phone", as in telephone, means "sound". With so much Greek in our language, we are right when we say, "It’s Greek to me."
   Greeks’ lifestyle also fascinates people somewhere else. One third of the population lives and works in the bustling, modem, capital city of Athens. However, in rural Greece, particularly the more remote village, the traditional way of life has not changed for centuries. Donkeys are still an important means of transportation, everyone knows everyone else, the older women swathe themselves from head to toe in black. In the evenings, people gather at tables and chairs in the main square to chat, sip, or play. It is as if time has stood still. For centuries, their rich culture has been a source of pride to all Greeks; its influence on the people of the world cannot be measured.
   At last, let’s have a brief look at its capital city — Athens. The city of Athens is a fun mix of the old and the new, the classic and the modern. Often a little shop is located next to the ruins of a temple, which is only a block from a large, air-conditioned hotel. The great city of 2, 500 years ago is still visible today.
   Ruins are the most obvious sign of ancient Athens, and the most famous of these is the Acropolis. The Acropolis is a large hill that was the center of life in Athens. On its Mopes were temples, monuments, and theatres. From the top, Athens’ urban sprawl stretches out in every direction.
   Tourism is very important to people who live in modern-day Athens. Thousands of people come every year to see these ruins and to tour the many museums to worship house artifacts from ancient times. This provides many jobs and brings money into Athens, which helps the city pay for improvements. Athenians take pride in the accomplishments of the ancestors, and people from all around the world come to admire them. By looking around the city today, we can imagine what life was like in ancient Athens.
   All right, that is basically what I can tell you today. See you next time.