3. isthmus harbor A small strip of land, with water on both sides, that connects two larger areas of land. A sheltered place with deep water close to shore. Important Vocabulary

4. Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula in southern Europe. Seas – The Aegean to the east between Greece and Turkey The Mediterranean Sea to the south The Ionian Sea to the west

5. The southern part of Greece is the Peloponnesus and is connected to the mainland by an isthmus. About 2000 islands in the surrounding seas were part of Greece. The largest island was Crete, southeast of the mainland. Colonies of Ancient Greece spread across the seas and were located on the coasts of Northern Africa, Spain, Italy, and Asia Minor.

6. ¾ of the land is covered by mountains The Pindus Range runs north and south through the center of Greece. There are narrow valleys and small plains Inland travel/trade was very difficult Rivers often dried up making travel impossible Villages were very independent and had little contact with other Greek villages.

7. Mt. Olympus was thought to be the home of Zeus – the most powerful of the gods. The sea brought people together. Greece had many natural harbors. The sea was a source of food. Trade was possible. The sea made it possible to form new colonies and to trade ideas.

8. Conflicts with other nations over trade and and colonization made it necessary for Greece to develop fighting skills and ships. Large ships for fighting were called triremes. The culture of Greece was influenced by the sea. The sea allowed travel and connected Greeks to the outside world. Many Greeks became fishermen and traders.

9. Greece had thin soil and a dry climate. Only 1/5 of the land was good for farming. Small amounts of wheat and barley were grown. The main crops were grapes and olives. Olive oil was traded for other products.