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Botanists,
classicists, poets, and painters have all been inspired by
the magical landscapes of Greece. Though a relatively small
country (no bigger than the state of Alabama), Greece boasts
an astonishing variety of landscapes - from the legendary
mountains of Olympus, Pindos and Parnassos to
miles of pristine coastline.
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Naturally, tens of thousands of years of human occupation
have left their imprint on the land. Ancient shipbuilding
felled most of the primeval forest and goats cropped the regrowth,
allowing once rich topsoil to drain into the sea. Yet Greece
remains remarkably unspoiled. Greece is rich in unique plant
species and is a refuge for many
endangered animals, including the Mediterranean sea turtle (Carretta
carretta) and the monk seal (Monachus monachus).
In recent years, Greece has become increasingly aware of its
environmental wealth and the global significance of conservation.
Many Greek cultural
monuments are threatened by environmental degradation.
This too is helping to focus attention on air pollution, climate
change and sustainable development. Important work is being
done in Greece to safeguard a land largely unchanged since
classical times.
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