No C 323/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 16.12

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

No C 323/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 16.12 No C 323/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 16.12. 86 Proposal for a Council Regulation on the granting of financial support to transport infrastructure projects COM(86) 674 final (Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 25 November 1986) (86/C 323/04) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Improvement to the Toulouse-Barcelona road in the region of Pensaguel-Le Vernet (France), Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and in particular articles 75 and 84 thereof, Increasing capacity and safety on the rail line Bayonne-Hendaye (France). Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Par­ Works in major corridors: liament, Between the Netherlands and Belgium — works to Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and complete the Bergen-op-Zoom-Antwerpen motorway Social Committee, (Netherlands and Belgium), Whereas the Council in its meeting of 11 November 1986 has reached conclusions concerning the objectives, On the approaches to the Channel ports and the criteria and financial mechanism of a medium-term planned Channel tunnel — completion of the M20 programme; motorway between Ashford and Maidstone (United Kingdom), Whereas the first phase of such a programme should be undertaken in order to use the whole of the appro­ On the transit route through Seeland to/from priations included this purpose in the 1985 budget; Sweden electrification and improvements to the rail line Rinsted-Rungsted (Denmark). Whereas the ceilings for the Community financial support for each project of this Regulation should be fixed by the Commission; 4. Works to better integrate areas situated geographically on the periphery of the Community: Whereas the methods and procedures of carrying out this Regulation should be defined, — On the main road between the Peloponese and the Yugoslavian frontier: HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: — Inofita-Schimatari (Greece), Article 1 — Ritsona-Thivai (Greece), — Solomos-Nemea (Greece); 1. In the limits of the budget credits remaining from the budget of 1985 and under the conditions set out in Articles 2, 3 and 4 the Community shall provide financial — On the principal Athens-Thessaloniki-Idomeni support for transport infrastructure projects by con­ (frontier) rail line: tributing to the cost of the following projects: — Sfingas-Aliartos (Greece), 2. Transit routes: — Tithoria-Domokos-Larissa (Greece), — Thessaloniki-Idomeni (Greece); — Brenner-Bolzano, improvement of the railway line (Italy), — On the main north-south road in Ireland: — Construction of the tunnel of Chavants on the road — The Dunleer bypass (Ireland). access to the Mont Blanc (France), — Increasing capacity on the Aachen-Koln motorway in — On principal transit axis in the Iberian peninsula: the region of Koln (Federal Republic of Germany), — Irun-Portugal road N620 (E82) — bypass of — Construction of a bypass at Braintree on the A120 Tordesillas (Spain), road towards the East Coast ports (United — Porto-Spanish frontier road IP4 (E801)-Paredes- Kingdom), Penafiel (Portugal). 16.12.86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 323/5 5. Other projects: 2. Without prejudice to checks carried out by the Member States in accordance with national laws, regu­ — Works in association with the construction of a new lations or administrative provisions, and without loading ramp for vehicles in the port of Ostend prejudice to the provisions of Article 206 bis of the (Belgium), Treaty, as well as all checks organized pursuant to Article 209 (c) of the Treaty, on-the-spot checks or — Preparatory studies and works on the project for the enquiries in respect of projects receiving financial improvement of the Brenner Route between the support shall be carried out by the competent authorities Federal Republic of Germany and Italy through of the Member State concerned and by representatives of Austria (Italy). the Commission, or other persons authorized to this effect by the latter. The Commission shall determine deadlines for the performance of checks and as a pre­ Article 2 liminary inform the Member State in order to receive all 1. The Community's financial contribution under the necessary assistance. present Regulation may not exceed 25 % of the total cost of the project as a whole or that part of the project 3. The purpose of these on-the-spot checks or that is assisted. enquiries relating to operations receiving financial support is to ascertain: 2. In no case should the contributions from all (a) the conformity of administrative practices with Community budget sources exceed 70 % of the total cost Community rules; of the project or that part of the project that is assisted. (b) the existence of supporting documents and the fact 3. An advance payment of no more than 40 % of the that they correspond; Community contribution may be provided to accelerate the execution of projects. (c) the conditions under which operations are executed and checked; 4. The amount of the Community financial con­ (d) the conformity of the projects carried out with the tributions to the projects referred to in Article 1 shall be conditions subject to which financial support was decided by the Commission. granted. Article 3 4. The Commission may suspend payment of the financial contribution in respect of an operation if a 1. Where a project which has received financial check reveals irregularities or a substantial change in the support has not been carried out as planned, or where nature or conditions of the project for which the the conditions imposed by the provisions governing the Commission's approval has not been sought. measure are not fulfilled, the financial support may be reduced or cancelled if the Commission so decides. Article 4 Any sum paid incorrectly shall be repaid to the This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its Community by the beneficiary within 12 months of the publication in the Official Journal of the European date of notification of such decision. Communities. .
Recommended publications
  • The Emigration of Muslims from the Greek State in the 19Th Century
    BALCANICA POSNANIENSIA XXVII Poznań 2020 THE EMIGRATION OF MUSLIMS FROM THE GREEK STATE 1 IN THE 19TH CENTURy. AN OUTLINE kr z y s z t o f Po P e k Abstract. Modern Greek statehood began to take shape with the War of Independence that broke out in 1821 and continued with varying intensity for the next years. As a result of these events, the Greeks cast of the foreign rule, which for many not only meant separation from the Ottoman Empire, but also the expulsion of Muslims living in these lands. During the uprising, about 25 000 Muslims lost their lives, and a similar number emigrated from the territory of the future Greek state. The next great exodus of Muslims from Greek lands was related to the an- nexation of Thessaly by the Hellenic Kingdom, which was to a larger extent spread over time. Since the region was incorporated into Greece until the beginning of the 20th century, the 40 000-strong Islamic community had virtually disappeared. Author: Krzysztof Popek, Jagiellonian University, Faculty of History, World Contemporary History Department, Gołębia st. 13, 31-007 Cracow, Poland, [email protected], OrciD iD: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5864- 5264 Keywords: Greece, 19th century, Muslim minority, migrations, Thessaly, Greek War of Independence Balcanica Posnaniensia. Acta et studia, XXVII, Poznań 2020, Wydawnictwo Wydziału Historii UAM, pp. 97– 122, ISBN 978-83-66355-54-5, ISSN 0239-4278. English text with summaries in English and Polish. doi.org/10.14746/bp.2020.27.7 INTRODUCTION Although Greece itself does not want to be treated as one of the Balkan countries, the Greek experience of the period of building its own nation-statehood is character- istic of this region.
    [Show full text]
  • GEK TERNA SOCIETE ANONYME HOLDINGS REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTIONS 85 Mesogeion Ave., 115 26 Athens Greece S.A
    GEK TERNA SOCIETE ANONYME HOLDINGS REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTIONS 85 Mesogeion Ave., 115 26 Athens Greece S.A. Reg. No. 6044/06/Β/86/142 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT for the period 1 January to 31 December 2009 According to article 4 of L. 3556/2007 and the relevant executive Decisions by the BoD of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Ι. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.............................................. 4 ΙΙ. AUDIT REPORT BY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED AUDITOR .................................................... 5 ΙΙΙ. ANNUAL MANAGEMENT REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2009....................................................................................................................... 7 ΙV. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPARATE AND CONSOLIDATED OF 31 DECEMBER 2009 ................................................................................................................................ 19 1 ESTABLISHMENT AND ACTIVITY OF THE COMPANY................................................... 29 2 BASIS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......................... 30 3 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES ............................................. 40 4 GROUP STRUCTURE............................................................................................................... 49 5 OPERATING SEGMENTS ........................................................................................................ 55 6 INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS ...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Rise and Fall of the 5/42 Regiment of Evzones: a Study on National Resistance and Civil War in Greece 1941-1944
    The Rise and Fall of the 5/42 Regiment of Evzones: A Study on National Resistance and Civil War in Greece 1941-1944 ARGYRIOS MAMARELIS Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy The European Institute London School of Economics and Political Science 2003 i UMI Number: U613346 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U613346 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 9995 / 0/ -hoZ2 d X Abstract This thesis addresses a neglected dimension of Greece under German and Italian occupation and on the eve of civil war. Its contribution to the historiography of the period stems from the fact that it constitutes the first academic study of the third largest resistance organisation in Greece, the 5/42 regiment of evzones. The study of this national resistance organisation can thus extend our knowledge of the Greek resistance effort, the political relations between the main resistance groups, the conditions that led to the civil war and the domestic relevance of British policies.
    [Show full text]
  • Fhu2xellcj7lgbnexipovzl4g6a.Pdf
    Griechenland Attika...................................................................................................................................................4 Athen-Zentrum.....................................................................................................................................4 Athen-Nord...........................................................................................................................................5 Athen-Süd.............................................................................................................................................6 Athen-West...........................................................................................................................................7 Piräus....................................................................................................................................................8 Inseln....................................................................................................................................................9 Ostattika..............................................................................................................................................10 Westattika............................................................................................................................................11 Epirus.................................................................................................................................................12 Arta.....................................................................................................................................................12
    [Show full text]
  • GEK TERNA SOCIETE ANONYME HOLDINGS REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTIONS 85 Mesogeion Ave., 115 26 Athens Greece S.A
    GEK TERNA SOCIETE ANONYME HOLDINGS REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTIONS 85 Mesogeion Ave., 115 26 Athens Greece S.A. Reg. No. 6044/06/Β/86/142 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT for the year 1 January to 31 December 2008 According to article 4 of L. 3556/2007 and the relevant executive Decisions by the BoD of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission TABLE OF CONTENTS Ι. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.............................................. 4 ΙΙ. AUDIT REPORT BY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED AUDITOR ACCOUNTANT........................ 5 ΙΙΙ. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2008.. 7 ΙV. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, INDIVIDUAL AND CONSOLIDATED, OF 31 DECEMBER 2008 ................................................................................................................................ 17 1 ESTABLISHMENT AND ACTIVITY OF THE COMPANY................................................... 26 2 BASIS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ........................... 27 3 SUMMARY OF KEY ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES .............................................................. 33 4 GROUP STRUCTURE............................................................................................................... 42 5 SEGMENT REPORTING .......................................................................................................... 47 6 INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS ................................................................................................ 52 7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Visa & Residence Permit Guide for Students
    Ministry of Interior & Administrative Reconstruction Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate General for Citizenship & C GEN. DIRECTORATE FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS Immigration Policy C4 Directorate Justice, Home Affairs & Directorate for Immigration Policy Schengen Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.ypes.gr www.mfa.gr Visa & Residence Permit guide for students 1 Index 1. EU/EEA Nationals 2. Non EU/EEA Nationals 2.a Mobility of Non EU/EEA Students - Moving between EU countries during my short-term visit – less than three months - Moving between EU countries during my long-term stay – more than three months 2.b Short courses in Greek Universities, not exceeding three months. 2.c Admission for studies in Greek Universities or for participation in exchange programs, under bilateral agreements or in projects funded by the European Union i.e “ERASMUS + (placement)” program for long-term stay (more than three months). - Studies in Greek universities (undergraduate, master and doctoral level - Participation in exchange programs, under interstate agreements, in cooperation projects funded by the European Union including «ERASMUS+ placement program» 3. Refusal of a National Visa (type D)/Rights of the applicant. 4. Right to appeal against the decision of the Consular Authority 5. Annex I - Application form for National Visa (sample) Annex II - Application form for Residence Permit Annex III - Refusal Form Annex IV - Photo specifications for a national visa application Annex V - Aliens and Immigration Departments Contacts 2 1. Students EU/EEA Nationals You will not require a visa for studies to enter Greece if you possess a valid passport from an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
    [Show full text]
  • Development Agency of Karditsa S.A
    DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF KARDITSA S.A 34 Megalou Alexandrou str. KARDITSA 43100. PO Box 33 TEL.: +30 24410 42363 - 26345, FAX. : +30 24410 71636 E-MAIL : [email protected] http://www.anka.gr DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF KARDITSA S.A Legal status: Development Agency of Local Authorities S.A. Location: Karditsa Capital share: 771.195 € Region of Thessaly – Regional Unity of Karditsa - Municipality of Farsala (Regional Unity of Larissa) - Action Area: Municipality of Domokos (Regional Unity of Fthiotida) – Municipatily of Fourna (Regional Unity of Euritania) Percentage of shares in Shareholders: the Agency’s capital Municipality of Karditsa 26,56% Cooperative Bank of Karditsa (SYN. P.E.) 15,87% 9,94% Region of Thessaly Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Karditsa (EASK) 8,85% Municipality of Mouzaki 8,50% Municipality of Sofades 8,49% Municipality of Palamas 7,05% Regional Union of Municipalities of Thessaly 5,06% Municipality of Lake Palstira 3,51% Municipality of Argithea 2,89% Karditsa Chamber of Commerce 1,25% Municipality of Farsala (Regional Unity of Larissa) 1,06% Municipality of Domokos (Regional Unity of Fthiotida) 0,96% ΑΝ.ΚΑ. S.A. 2 DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF KARDITSA S.A AN. KA S.A. is a reliable and effective development mechanism at the disposal of local Authorities as well as for the residents of the Prefectures of Karditsa, Southern Larissa and Northern Fthiotida. The Company's main objective is to help develop, manage, maintain, protect and make the best use of natural resources, introduce innovation and entrepreneurship in the productive system; introduce and increase the use of renewable energy sources; support and develop new collective structures, contribute in social development and the general development of Karditsa and other areas in Greece, if requested.
    [Show full text]
  • Visa & Residence Permit Guide for Students
    Ministry of Interior & Administrative Reconstruction Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate General for Citizenship & C GEN. DIRECTORATE FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS Immigration Policy C4 Directorate Justice, Home Affairs & Directorate for Immigration Policy Schengen Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.ypes.gr www.mfa.gr Visa & Residence Permit guide for students 1 Index 1. EU/EEA Nationals 2. Non EU/EEA Nationals 2.a Mobility of Non EU/EEA Students - Moving between EU countries during my short-term visit – less than three months - Moving between EU countries during my long-term stay – more than three months 2.b Short courses in Greek Universities, not exceeding three months. 2.c Admission for studies in Greek Universities or for participation in exchange programs, under bilateral agreements or in projects funded by the European Union i.e “ERASMUS + (placement)” program for long-term stay (more than three months). - Studies in Greek universities (undergraduate, master and doctoral level - Participation in exchange programs, under interstate agreements, in cooperation projects funded by the European Union including «ERASMUS+ placement program» 3. Refusal of a National Visa (type D)/Rights of the applicant. 4. Right to appeal against the decision of the Consular Authority 5. Annex I - Application form for National Visa (sample) Annex II - Application form for Residence Permit Annex III - Refusal Form Annex IV - Photo specifications for a national visa application Annex V - Aliens and Immigration Departments Contacts 2 1. Students EU/EEA Nationals You will not require a visa for studies to enter Greece if you possess a valid passport from an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Bank Branches by Area 31/12/2016
    LIST OF BANK BRANCHES BY AREA 31/12/2016 PIRAEUS BANK S.A. AREA / LOCATIONHEBIC BRANCH NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER / FAX NUMBER AEGINA / Aegina 0172124 AEGINA BRANCH Dimokratias Coastal Ave. & Leonardou Lada str., 180 10 AEGINA tel.: 2297029890, fax: 2297028882 AG. I. RENTIS / Agios Ioannis Renti Sq. 0172136 AG. IOANNI RENTI SQ. 4, Konstantinou Palaiologou str., Ag. I. Renti sq., 182 33 AG. I. RENTIS BRANCH tel.: 2104838120, fax: 2104832389 AG. THEODORI / Korithos Refineries 0172517 KORINTHOS REFINERIES 71st klm, Athens - Korinthos Old National Rd., 200 03 AG. THEODORI tel.: 2741049296, fax: 2741049079 AGIA / Agia 0171249 AGIAS 33, 25th Martiou str., 400 03 AGIA tel.: 2494024530, fax: 2494023988 AGIA MARINA / Agia Marina, Platanias 0171635 AG. MARINA CHANIA BRANCH 9th klm, Chania-Kissamos National Rd., 730 14 AGIA MARINA Chania tel.: 2821036650, fax: 2821068079 AGIA PARASKEVI / Ag. Paraskevi 0171740 AG. PARASKEVI 400, Mesogeion Ave., 153 42 AGIA PARASKEVI tel.: 2166007900, fax: 2106015800 AGIA PARASKEVI / Ag. Paraskevi 0171561 AG. PARASKEVI 507, Mesogion Ave., 153 43 AGIA PARASKEVI tel.: 2168008300, fax: 2106418313 AGIA PARASKEVI / Agia Paraskevi 0172009 AG. PARASKEVIS 406, Mesogion Ave. & 2 Iroon Politexniou, 153 42 AGIA PARASKEVI Square tel.: 2106085820, fax: 2106009558 AGIA PARASKEVI / Agiou Ioannou 0172010 AG. IOANNOU, AG. 40, Ag. Ioannou str., 153 42 AGIA PARASKEVI PARASKEVI tel.: 2106085800, fax: 2106011128 AGIA TRIADA ARGOLIDAS / Agia Triada 0171392 AGIA TRIADA ARGOUS 4, Ag. Triados sq., 210 55 AGIA TRIADA ARGOLIDAS Argolidas tel.: 2752042000, fax: 2752044979 AGIA VARVARA / Agia Varvara 0171446 AGIAS BARBARAS 116, El. Venizelou & Mpoumpoulinas str., 123 51 AGIA VARVARA tel.: 2166008940, fax: 2105447283 AGIA VARVARA / Agia Varvara 0171519 AGIA VARVARA Agia Varvara Monofatsiou, 700 03 AGIA VARVARA Monofatsiou tel.: 2894029480, fax: 2894023121 AGIOI ANARGYROI / Agioi Anargyroi 0172143 AGIOI ANARGYRI BRANCH 31, Agion Anargyron & Kefallinias str., 135 61 AGIOI ANARGYROI tel.: 2102694060, fax: 2102696096 AGIOS DIMITRIOS / Ag.
    [Show full text]
  • Three Essays on Literacy Development, Marital Instability, and Births Outside Marriage
    DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN ECONOMICS OF THE TUSCAN UNIVERSITIES jointly held by the Universities of Firenze, Pisa and Siena (XXXI CYCLE) Three Essays on Literacy Development, Marital Instability, and Births Outside Marriage: Empirical Evidence from the Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Greece Scientific-Disciplinary Sector: SECS-P/12 Ph.D Candidate Tryfonas Lemontzoglou Supervisor Prof. John Milios Academic Year: 2018-2019 Three Essays on Literacy Development, Marital Instability, and Births Outside Marriage: Empirical Evidence from the Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Greece. by Tryfonas Lemontzoglou Submitted to the Department of Political Economy and Statistics on the 31st of January, 2019, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics. Summary According to Marx, social changes are not always characterized only by new material productive forces, but also by new relations of production, as well as new forms of con- sciousness, religion, philosophy, ethics, etc. In that context, the society’s transitional pas- sage from agrarian to modern industrial modes of production brought into the political arena new social classes and antagonisms, completely changing all pre-existing relation- ships, norms and values in almost every aspect of social life. One the one hand, the newly-rising capitalist class invariably demanded the implementation of radical agrarian reforms as a prerequisite for transforming traditional agriculture into a modern farming system that would be better able to adjust to new market economy’s circumstances. On the other hand, industrial revolution significantly redefined the traditional view of gender roles within the household, allowing women to enter the paid labour market, diminishing sex-stereotyping, and reinforcing women’s autonomy and independence.
    [Show full text]
  • (Selido Œ§Œüœúœüœ£ 4
    Δελτίο της Ελληνικής Γεωλογικής Εταιρίας, 2010 Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 2010 Πρακτικά 12ου Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου Proceedings of the 12th International Congress Πάτρα, Μάιος 2010 Patras, May, 2010 LAND SUBSIDENCE DUE TO EXCESSIVE GROUND WATER WITHDRAWAL. A CASE STUDY FROM STAVROS - FARSALA SITE, WEST THESSALY GREECE Rozos D.1, Sideri D.1, Loupasakis C.1 and Apostolidis E.2 1 National Technical University of Athens, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Laboratory of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 9, Heroon Polytechniou Str 157 80, Zografou (Athens) Greece, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2 Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology Department, Sp Louis Str. 1, Olympic Village, 136 77 Acharnae, Athens, Greece, [email protected] Abstract Land subsidence manifestation due to ground-water overexploitation in the Stavros – Farsala site (eastern part of Western Thessaly Basin) has been noticed since 1990. Because of this overex- ploitation, an excessive drawdown of the ground water level (20 to 40m) was noticed in the various successive aquifers the last decades. The subsidence phenomena resulted to the formation of tensile surface ruptures, which occurred since 2002, affecting roads and buildings. The geological environment of the study area consists of terrestrial Pleistocene deposits containing sands and gravels interbedded with clayey silt to silty clay horizons. These alternations of aquifers (permeable coarse-grained deposits) with aquitards (impermeable to low permeability strata) cre- ate a number of successive semi-confined to confined aquifer, initially artesian. This study examines the geological and the hydrogeological conditions of the wider study area, aiming to clarify their re- lationship with subsidence phenomena and to provide solutions for their suspension.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Acknowledgements
    10 11 Acknowledgements Introduction General geography of Greece Greece is a relatively small country, and with a surface area of 132,000 km2 it is only half as big as the UK. Encompassed, however, in this modest area, is a great diversity of habitats, exceeding many European countries of much larger size. For example, one can encounter in Epirus alpine areas complete with lush conifer forests, dramatic peaks and extensive snowfields that physiographically resemble Switzerland. On the other hand, some regions of the southern Aegean are closer to Africa than to Athens, and their climate and habitats reflect this proximity. Southeastern Crete for example, con- tains one of the few true European deserts, an area closely resembling certain hamma- da regions of the Middle East. Greece is a country of mountains and islands. The Pindos range, an extension of the Dinaric Alps, forms the backbone of peninsular Greece. A number of smaller mountains originate as spurs from this block, although some, including Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece (2,917 m elevation) arise in relative isola- tion. A second major mountain block, the Rhodopes, located in Thrace, runs in a roughly east-west direction separating Greece and Bulgaria. The Peloponnese, a small- er peninsula in the south, is as mountainous as the mainland and encompasses several peaks exceeding 2,000 m in elevation. With the exception of a few large flat regions located mostly in Thessaly and Thrace, the country lacks extensive plains. Typically the mountains drop rather steeply into the sea and are generally flanked only by narrow coastal plains.
    [Show full text]