Geography of Ancient Greece

“The Greeks did not live on land but around a sea.”

The Sea

• In one sense, the Greeks did not live on land, but around a sea.• Aegean, Ionian and Black Sea were important for trading.• Trade important because they lacked natural resources.

The Land• Rugged mountains covered ¾ of Ancient Greece.• Greeks developed into small, independent communities based in

valleys instead of one single government.• Only a small portion of the land was suitable for farming.• Could only support a small population.

Four major areas

• Mountain• Hills – suitable for some

Mediterranean crops (olives, sage)• Coastal plain (suitable for fields)• Coast

The Climate

• Moderate temperatures, which supported an outdoor life for many Greeks.• Men spent much of their leisure

time at outdoor public events.• Would discuss public issues,

exchange news, and take an active part in civic life (government)

Threats

• Greece is at a nexus of tectonic activity:• African plate is moving northwards• the European plate is moving

southwards• the Asian plate is moving westwards

• Active volcanoes, earthquakes and tidal waves are a significant threat