This volume provides an overview of the history of Greece, while also focusing on contemporary Greece. Coverage includes such 21st-century challenges as the economic crisis and the influx of immigrants and refugees that is changing the country's character. This latest volume in the Understanding Modern Nations series explores Greece, the birthplace of democracy and Western philosophical ideas. This thematic encyclopedia is one-of-its kind in its down-to-earth approach and comprehensive analysis of complex issues now facing Greece. It analyzes such topics as government and economics without jargon and brings a lighthearted approach to chapters on such topics as etiquette (e.g., what gestures to avoid so as not to offend), leisure (how Greeks celebrate holidays), and language (the meaning of "opa"). No other book on Greece is organized like this thematic encyclopedia, which has more than 200 entries on topics ranging from Archimedes to refugees. Unique to this encyclopedia is a "Day in the Life" section that explores the actions and thoughts of a high school student, a bank employee, a farmer in a small village, and a retired couple, giving readers a vivid snapshot of life in Greece. "Day in the Life" features portray the specific daily activities of various people in Greece, from teenagers to working adults in different fields, thereby providing readers with insight into daily life in the country Key terms related to the reading are defined in a Glossary appendix A chart of national holidays provides at-a-glance information about Greece's important religious and secular holidays Photos and sidebars illuminate the text, helping to illustrate key topics and allow students to dive more deeply into ideas Sidebars provide fun facts and anecdotal information that help to engage readers

This complete history of Greece documents ancient times to the present, giving specific attention to its emergence as a modern European nation after the destruction, disease, and death Greece suffered during World War II and the subsequent civil war. Modern Greece started as a monarchy in 1832, with just a fraction of the land it now encompasses. The nation of Greece finally forged its identity in the 19th and 20th centuries after emerging from 400 years of Ottoman domination. This book traces the development of Greece from the Minoan civilization of Crete to modern times, telling the story of how Greece added territory and experienced fierce growing pains-including coups, dictatorships, depressions, enormous influxes of immigrants, and wars-before evolving into today's modern democratic state. The History of Greece provides both an overview of Greece's early history as well as an examination of the difficulties that emerged in 2009 and 2010, such as its recent financial problems and social unrest. Quotes from Greek politicians, scholars, poets, and ordinary citizens are included to communicate Greece's national character. Provides an enlightening timeline of the history of Greece from prehistoric time to 2010 Includes maps illustrating Greece's regions, islands, cities, and its growth into modern Greece A bibliography covers books and articles about the history, ethnography, and politics of Greece, as well as various online resources