Background: Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between royalist supporters of the king and communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
July 9th 2008Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora Hi everyone, we are now at the end of our travels in Greece. Since leaving the South we have had our "holiday within a holiday" traipsing around the Cyclades islands before heading north out of Athen ... 41 photos[full story]
July 1st 2008Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora Hello,
Wow this place was amazing, and i didnt even know it existed!
These pics are of the monasteries on cliff tops! A couple of brothers in the 11th century went up into the cliff tops to es ... [full story]
June 19th 2008Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora Hey all,
Well, I had written a long and entertaining account of our time in Greece since we left Corfu, but the computer lost connection with the net while trying to save it and then lost it... I' ... 16 photos[full story]
May 21st 2008Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora I write this entry on the train from Bari to Rome, after more than a FULL DAY of travel involving 2 buses from Kalambka to Ioannina to Igoumenitsa, then a ferry to Bari and now this lovely train. Ergo ... 26 photos[full story]
May 19th 2008Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora Made it to Meteora in time! After being on the train from 11am to 4pm my time, I set foot in Meteora thinking that I had chance of seeing the monasteries here today as most close around 5pm and it was ... 68 photos[full story]
February 20th 2008Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora Continuing the journey through Greece, I have made it to Meteora! After the last night in Athens and leaving in three inches of snow, we arrived in Meteora a little before 6pm. Shortly after, the ci ... [full story]
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