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Location
Attica, Greece.

Dialling code
30. The old Athens code of ‘010’ has been replaced with ‘210’, however, ‘210’ must be dialed even within Athens. All numbers throughout the country now have ten digits, which must all be dialed.

Population
3,192,606 (metropolitan area).

Time zone
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two- or three-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
9.5°C (49°F).

Average July temperatures
27.5°C (81.5°F).

Annual rainfall
376mm (14.5 inches).

Language
Introduction
In addition to Greek, people employed in the tourist trade generally speak some English, French or German and it is relatively easy to get by in Athens without attempting to say anything more complicated than moussaka or retsina. However, anyone who wishes to elevate him- or herself above the humble tourísta should attempt to learn at least a few basic phrases in Greek. The language itself deserves this mark of respect; not only is it beautiful, but it is also one of the foundation stones of almost all other European languages. Moreover, getting around the city is much easier once the Greek alphabet has been mastered.

In the twentieth century, Greek suffered from a bitter struggle between Dhimotikí (popular Greek) and Katharévoussa (cleansed Greek). The latter was introduced by the first rulers of independent Greece, who sought to recreate the purity of their classical past by reinstating long-defunct vocabulary and grammar. Dhimotikí, the form of the language that had naturally evolved over Greece’s long history was repressed and Katharévoussa became the official language of government, business and the professions. In recent years, however, Dhimotikí has reasserted itself as the national language and is used in all forms of life with the exceptions of the church and the legal profession.

Phrases

Yes - Néh
No - Óhi
Hello - Giásou
Goodbye - Andío sas
Please - Parakaló
Thank you - Efharistó
My name is … - Meh léne …
How are you? - Ti kánis / ti kánete?
I’m very well - Kalá ímeh
I feel ill - Ímeh arostos
How much does it cost? - Póso káni?
Do you speak English? - Miláte anglika?
I don’t understand - Dhen katalavéno
Cheers - Giamas
Where is …? - Pou ine …?
Entrance - Issodos
Exit - Exodos
Open - Aniktó
Closed - Klistó
Toilets - Toualétes
Doctor - Iatrós
Hotel - Ksenodhohío
Restaurant - Estiatorio/ taverna
Beer - Bira
Wine - Krasi
Menu - Kataloghos
Today - Símera
Tomorrow - Ávrio
Monday - Deftéra
Tuesday - Tríti
Wednesday - Tetárti
Thursday - Pémpti
Friday - Paraskebí
Saturday - Sábato
Sunday - Kiriakí
One - Éna
Two - Dhío
Three - Trís/tria
Four - Téseres /tésera
Five - Pénde
Six - Éksi
Seven - Eftá
Eight - Okhtó
Nine - Enyá
Ten - Dhéka
Twenty - Íkosi
Thirty - Triánda
Forty - Saránda
Fifty - Penínda
Sixty - Eksínda
Seventy - Evdhomínda
Eighty - Ogdhónda
Ninety - Enenínda
One Hundred - Ekató
One Thousand - Hílies


Cost of Living:

1 Euro (€1) = £0.94; US$1.37; C$1.66; A$1.93
Currency conversion rates as of January 2009

Special Events:

Apokries (Carnival)
February-March (depending when Easter falls)
Festivities and celebrations. Plaka, Moschato and throughout the city

Independence Day
March
Military parades celebrating the anniversary of the end of Ottoman occupation.
Syntagma Square and throughout the city

Easter
March-April
The Greek Orthodox faith’s most important celebration sees candlelit processions, solemn masses and firework displays.
Churches throughout the city

Rally Acropolis
June
Car rally held on rough, rocky mountain roads around Athens.
Acropolis
Website: www.acropolisrally.gr

Athens Festival
June-September
International musicians, actors and dancers give open-air evening performances.
Herod Atticus Theater and Lykavittós Theater in the city center, and the Epidaurus Amphitheater
Website: www.greekfestival.gr

Rockwave Festival
June
A three-day, open-air rock festival.
Athens coast
Website: www.rockwavefestival.gr

Óchi Day (Patriotic Day)
October
Military parades celebrating Greece’s decisive ‘Ohi’ (‘No’) to Mussolini during WWII.
Syntagma Square and throughout the city

Athens Marathon
November
Competitors run the original 26-mile (42km) marathon route, dating back to 490BC.
From Marathon on the coast to the Panathenaic Stadium in central Athens
Website: www.athensmarathon.com

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