Greece is a nation about the same size as the state of Alabama, but within its borders there is a large range of natural features from mountains to wetlands. One of the most mountainous nations in the EU, about 75% of the land in Greece is mountainous or hilly. The predominance of mountains explains the great wealth of Greek islands, many of which consist of mountain chains that have continued into the Mediterranean or Aegean Seas. The tallest mountain in Greece is Mt. Olympus, famed in mythology for being the home of the gods.
About a third of land in Greece is forested, and in the western region of the country visitors will encounter an area peppered with lakes and wetlands. There are four rivers crossing the country, all of them relatively short. Hiking in Greece is characterized by daytrips through woods made up of oak, cypress, juniper, oleander, and myrtle. Deciduous trees such as chestnut and ash are common in the north, with coniferous trees dominating the upper slopes of mountain ranges there.
One of Greece’s most outstanding features is the proximity of every part of the country to the sea; no place in Greece is located more than 40 miles away from it. The coastline, with its thousands of bays and inlets, attracts many tourists, some of whom spend the whole summer in vacation homes in Greece. Many of the beaches here are termed “golden” because of the hue of the sand during sunset.