Events on February 11 in history

Greeks and Turks begin fighting in Limassol, Cyprus.

Greece: The Cradle of Western Civilization at the Crossroads of Continents

Greece (Greek: Ελλάδα, romanized: Elláda, [eˈlaða]), officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is a captivating country situated in Southeast Europe. Its strategic geographical position places it at the southern tip of the Balkans, uniquely positioned at the historical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This pivotal location has profoundly influenced its history, trade, and cultural exchanges for millennia. Greece shares its land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the northeast, forming a vibrant tapestry of regional connections.

Surrounded by iconic seas, the Aegean Sea lies to the east of the mainland, dotted with countless islands, while the Ionian Sea washes its western shores, famous for its verdant landscapes. To the south, the Sea of Crete and the wider Mediterranean Sea define its maritime boundary. Greece boasts the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin, an astonishing stretch that encompasses approximately 13,676 kilometers and features a staggering number of islands, often cited as over 2,000, of which around 227 are inhabited. These islands, including the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Ionian chains, are not only popular tourist destinations but also integral to the nation's identity and maritime heritage. The country is traditionally divided into nine distinct geographic regions, each offering unique landscapes, from mountainous terrain to fertile plains. With a population of approximately 10.7 million people, Greece's urban centers serve as hubs of activity. Athens, the nation's historical and contemporary capital and largest city, pulsates with ancient and modern life, while Thessaloniki stands as the second-largest city, a significant cultural and economic center in northern Greece.

A Legacy of Innovation: The Birthplace of Western Thought

Greece is universally acknowledged as the cradle of Western civilization, a monumental title earned through its unparalleled contributions that continue to shape the modern world. It is the revered birthplace of numerous foundational concepts and disciplines:

• Democracy: Ancient Athens pioneered direct democracy, where citizens actively participated in governance, laying the groundwork for representative democracies worldwide.
• Western Philosophy: From the profound inquiries of Socrates to the systematic thought of Plato and the wide-ranging intellect of Aristotle, Greek philosophers established the bedrock of Western intellectual tradition.
• Western Literature: Epic poems like Homer's *Iliad* and *Odyssey* represent some of the earliest and most influential works of Western literature, establishing narrative forms and heroic archetypes.
• Historiography: Herodotus, often called the "Father of History," and Thucydides, known for his analytical approach to the Peloponnesian War, transformed storytelling into systematic historical inquiry.
• Political Science: Through observations of various city-state governments, thinkers like Plato and Aristotle extensively analyzed political systems and theories.
• Major Scientific and Mathematical Principles: Innovators such as Pythagoras (Pythagorean theorem), Euclid (geometry), and Archimedes (physics, mathematics) made fundamental discoveries that underpin modern science.
• Theatre: The ancient Greeks developed the dramatic forms of tragedy (e.g., Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides) and comedy (e.g., Aristophanes), establishing conventions that persist in performance arts globally.
• The Olympic Games: Originating in Olympia as a pan-Hellenic athletic and religious festival, the ancient Olympic Games fostered peace, competition, and shared identity, inspiring the modern global event.

From the eighth century BC, the Greeks organized themselves into various independent city-states, known as *poleis* (singular *polis*). These self-governing entities, each with its unique culture and political system, flourished across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, establishing colonies that spread Greek influence. In the fourth century BC, Philip II of Macedon strategically united most of present-day Greece, a feat further propelled by his son, Alexander the Great. Alexander's rapid conquests extended Greek influence across a vast empire, stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to India, fundamentally reshaping the ancient world through a process known as Hellenization.

The subsequent Hellenistic period witnessed the zenith of Greek culture and influence in antiquity, characterized by a vibrant exchange of ideas and the spread of Koine Greek as a *lingua franca*. Greece was eventually annexed by Rome in the second century BC, becoming an integral province of the formidable Roman Empire. Crucially, it remained culturally and linguistically predominant within the eastern continuation of this empire, the Byzantine Empire, for over a thousand years. The Greek Orthodox Church, which emerged in the first century AD, played a pivotal role in shaping modern Greek identity, preserving Greek language and traditions, and transmitting them to the wider Orthodox world, particularly during periods of foreign rule. After enduring nearly four centuries under Ottoman rule, starting in the mid-15th century, Greece heroically emerged as a modern nation-state in 1830 following a successful War of Independence. The nation's profound and rich historical legacy is tangible, reflected in its impressive collection of 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include ancient ruins like the Acropolis of Athens, Byzantine monasteries, and unique natural landscapes.

Modern Greece: A Developed Economy and Global Player

Today, Greece operates as a unitary parliamentary republic, a political system that emphasizes the supremacy of a democratically elected parliament. It is recognized as a developed country with an advanced, high-income economy, characterized by a high quality of life. The nation ranks 32nd globally in the Human Development Index (HDI), underscoring its progress in health, education, and living standards. Economically, Greece holds the distinction of having the largest economy in the Balkans region, where it serves as an important regional investor, fostering economic ties and development across the peninsula.

Greece is deeply integrated into the global community. It was a founding member of the United Nations, a testament to its commitment to international cooperation. Furthermore, Greece proudly holds the distinction of being the tenth member to join the European Communities (the precursor to the modern European Union) and has been a steadfast participant in the Eurozone since 2001, adopting the common European currency. The country is also an active member of numerous other influential international institutions, including the Council of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). These memberships highlight Greece's engagement in collective security, economic governance, and human rights. Greece's unique cultural heritage, its robust and extensive tourism industry (attracting millions of visitors annually for its historical sites, beaches, and vibrant culture), its prominent global shipping sector (one of the largest in the world), and its enduring geostrategic importance collectively classify it as a middle power, capable of wielding significant influence in regional and international affairs.

What is the significance of Greece's geographical location?

Greece's position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa has made it a historical hub for trade, cultural exchange, and strategic importance, influencing its development throughout millennia.

What are some of Greece's most enduring contributions to Western civilization?

Greece is credited with being the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, theatre, and the Olympic Games.

How has the Greek Orthodox Church influenced Greek identity?

Emerging in the first century AD, the Greek Orthodox Church played a crucial role in preserving Greek language, traditions, and national identity, especially during centuries of foreign rule, and transmitted Hellenic culture to the wider Orthodox world.

What defines Greece as a "middle power" in today's world?

Greece is considered a middle power due to its significant cultural heritage, large tourism industry, prominent global shipping sector, and its geostrategic importance within international organizations and regional dynamics.

Limassol: A Dynamic Global City on Cyprus's Southern Coast

Limassol (Greek: Λεμεσός, romanized: Lemesós, [lemesos]; Turkish: Limasol or Leymosun) is a vibrant and strategically important city situated on the southern coast of Cyprus. It serves as the bustling capital of the district bearing the same name, anchoring a region known for its economic activity and scenic beauty. As the second-largest urban area in Cyprus, just after the capital Nicosia, Limassol is a major population center. Its urban population stands at approximately 183,658 residents, while the broader metropolitan area encompasses a population of around 239,842, highlighting its significant role in the island's demographics and economy.

Global Recognition and High Quality of Life

Limassol has garnered considerable international recognition for its appeal and quality of life, reflecting its dynamic growth and development:

• In 2014, the city was notably ranked by TripAdvisor as the 3rd "up-and-coming destination" in the world, featuring prominently in its "Top 10 Traveler's Choice Destinations on the Rise" list. This accolade underscores its growing popularity among tourists and its potential as a leading travel destination, often attributed to its developing infrastructure, vibrant cultural scene, and attractive coastal environment.
• The city's high quality of life is further affirmed by Mercer's Quality of Living Survey, which in 2017 ranked Limassol 89th worldwide. This esteemed ranking considers various factors such as infrastructure, safety, education, healthcare, and environmental quality, indicating a high standard of living for its residents.
• Adding to its global prestige, Limassol was classified as a "Gamma" global city in the 2020 ranking published by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC). This classification signifies Limassol's vital role in linking smaller regions or countries to the world economy, demonstrating a significant level of international interaction through its thriving business services, financial sector, and strategic port operations. The city is renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, a robust business environment, and its historical and cultural attractions, making it a key hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.

What does it mean for Limassol to be a "Gamma" global city?

Being classified as a "Gamma" global city by the GaWC signifies that Limassol plays an important role in connecting its region to the global economy, demonstrating significant international interaction through its business services, finance, and port activities.

What makes Limassol an "up-and-coming destination" for travelers?

Limassol's recognition as an "up-and-coming destination" by TripAdvisor highlights its growing appeal due to factors such as developing tourism infrastructure, vibrant cultural scene, historical sites, and attractive coastal setting that draws international visitors.