World Cultures Name:____Christian Jones____

Unit I Europe Block:___4____

Exploring a European Country Research Activity
Instructions: Using the Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (found through the library database Gale
Virtual Reference Library; username and password is colonials), research a European nation of interest to you and
complete the items below thoughtfully and completely. Be prepared to share what youve learned with your peers.
1. To what extent was this country ruled by others? Use evidence to support your answer.
In 356 b.c. Greece was ruled by Alexander the Great, then in 146 b.c. it was later conquered by the Romans.

2. Which 20
th
century events had the greatest influence on this country? Choose two events and explain their impact.
World War II and the Cold War had important impacts on Europe in the 21
st
Century. After seven years of totalitarian
military rule from 1967 to 1974, Greece became democratically governed. Its international problems since World War II
have been dominated by the Cold War and its rivalry with Turkey over the status of Cyprus.
3. Identify the following:
Topic Details
Well known cities, regions, or
landforms
The city of Athens and Sparta. Mt. Olympus is located in Northern Greece.

Relative size (size in relationship to
another place)
Greece is a very small country. Compared to Texas, Greece is about 1/5
th
the
size. Greece: 130,800km Texas: 696,241.
Description of natural environment 80 Percent of Greece is covered with Mountains.

Population size There are 11.03 Million people living in Greece today.
Degree of diversity
(1=homogenous; 10=very diverse)
with explanation
The majority of Greece's 11.03 million people are Greeks ethnic descent.
Minorities include Muslims, Slavs, Albanians, Armenians, and Vlachs, people who
lived migratory in the northern mountains in the 19th century. On a scale I
would say it is a 5. Because Greece is not very diverse, however it is not
completely homogenous.

Languages/Alphabets The Language is Modern Greek. It was a pure version of original Greek until
1976.


4. How does folklore influence the peoples worldview or actions? Explain your answer using specific details.
Greeks believe that a persons fate was already determined at birth. Not even the gods could break the
predetermined fate. The people of Greece use greek mythology as a way to look at the world. Each god and goddess
represent or hold on an aspect of life.
5. What religion(s) is practiced in this country, and how does it impact the people?
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Church is the prominent religion in this area. It is common for religious Greeks to keep
icons in an area of their homes together with holy oil, holy water, and a specific lamp. Many pray to a particular saint
when in trouble, and pilgrimages are made to shrines and considered very holy.
Are rites of passage in this country similar to or different from rites of passage in the U.S.? Explain your answer using
specific pieces of evidence.
Some Rights of passage are similar to ours in the US; however, some are different. In Roman Catholicism confirmation
and Holy Communion are celebrated. In the Greece these sacraments are received but not celebrated. Also, in Europe
many young people undergo religious rituals, while in the US, less young people each year are receiving sacraments.
6. What tips on interpersonal behavior might you give to an American who is about to travel to this country? Provide
at least three.
The person traveling should be outgoing and talkative. And if the tourist is a women, dont be alarmed to see two
heterosexual women locking arms while walking. And lastly, dont be surprised if people are talking excitedly, and
physically it is just how they interact and hangout.

7. Is the standard of living in this country better, worse, or about the same as that of the U.S.? Justify your answer
with at least three pieces of evidence.
The standard of living in Greece is similar to the US. Greece is heavily populated with men and women who are doctors,
in cities with a larger amount of people there is a larger need for public transportation. This is similar to NYC in the US.
And a difference is that abortion is legal. Overall the standard of living is about the same in Greece and the US.

8. Is family important in this country? Why or why not? Use specific details in your response.
Family is very important in Greece. Men and women typically live with their parents until they marry! Even after a
couple is married they often live with one of the spouses family until they are ready to buy a home. Greece has a
high marriage rate and low divorce rate. Family issues like honor-related problems only exist in a handful of rural
areas.



9. Does this country have distinctive traditional clothing? Explain your answer citing specific details.
Folk dancers wear kilt-like skirts along with tunics, and a vest. Average citizens in Greece commonly dress as we do in
the US.

10. How has globalization impacted food and diet in this country? Explain your answer using specific facts.
Greek people dress casually, today they wear the same clothing as us Americans do. However, for traditional events only
folk dancers wear a costume consisting of a tunic, vest, and pleated kilt like skirt.
11. How has globalization impacted food and diet in this country? Explain your answer using specific facts.
Globalization has not really impacted food and diet in Greece because they still have their same traditional food.
For example, lamb, yogurt, feta cheese, olive oil, seasonal fruit & vegetables, and excessive herbs.

12. How might your educational experience in this country differ from the schooling you receive in the U.S.?
Education is compulsory for 9 years until the age of 15, after the 9 years students can choose whether to go
onto 3 more years of high school or technical school programs. This shows that education in Greece is very
different from education in the U.S. All children are required to be in school until they are 18 years of age by
law. Due to this, if I was a student in Greece my education in would be a lot more laid back then it is now.

13. What cultural influences or accomplishments is this country best known for? List and describe at least
three.
Classical golden age of Athens came philosophical teachings of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. These stories are
known all over the world as comedy stories.
Secondly, Greek sculptures progressed from stylization to naturalism and some sculptures are in museums all
over the world today and famous for their beauty.
Lastly, Greek literature that includes writings of novelists and the poetry.


14. Summarize the overall economy of this country in 2-3 sentences.
The economy of this country has increased in services, international trade, shipping, and tourism. Greece is one
of the least industrialized nation in Europe. The most impactful part of economy, is family owned small
businesses.


15. How do people of this country spend their leisure time? List at least five activities. Would you want to
live there?
Coffee shops are popular gathering places to get together with family and friends, which are generally
located in the village square.
Greeks also enjoy television, movies, theater, and concerts.
Greeks still take part in traditional entertainment where they watch folk dancers perform.
Sports are very popular, today the most popular sports are soccer and basketball.
Folk arts and crafts, the most popular crafts are weaving, knitting, carving, metal working, and pottery.

I would not want to live in Greece, I think Greece is a wonderful and beautiful place. However, I am not much of
crafts, sports, or drama person. Therefore, I do not think I would fit in well in Greece.


16. List (in order of significance) what you feel are the three biggest problems that this country needs to
resolve.
HIV/AIDS is a horrible disease and a major social problem in Greece, people are effecting others every
day.
Drug abusers, the proportion of drug abusers has doubled since the 1980s with the largest increase in
women and the poor.
Illegal Immigration, this is a major domestic problem in the Greek society from the Balkans and the
middle east.


17. Are all people treated equally in this country? Why or why not? Explain your answer using specific
evidence.
Overall, everyone in Greece is treated somewhat equally. Since 1983 equality of the sexes has been established
however, the country still needs improvement with less ,to no discrimination between sexes. One out of 6
Greece members of parliament is a woman and 60% of every years college graduates are women. Lastly, there
has been a debate in the 2000s of whether or not to allow same sex marriages. However, this still remains
illegal.