Download Greek Geography/Agriculture Power Point

Geography of Greece
The Many Islands of Greece
Peninsula
- Greece is located on
a peninsula that
extends into the
Mediterranean Sea.
- Greece is almost
completely
surrounded by water.
- Many islands can be
found around the
peninsula. The large
island at the bottom of
the map is Crete.
The Land
- Much of Greece
was rocky and
barren and bad for
agriculture (farming).
- Most Greeks lived
along the coast where
the soil was good for
farming.
Settlements
- Travel across the mountains and seas was
difficult.
- Communities were isolated from each other.
- As a result, the people created their own
government system.
Trade - Sea and Ships
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The Mediterranean and
Agean Seas were used
as a source of food and
trading.
Greeks traveled to
other areas where they
found food and
products they needed.
The Minoans - Early
Civilization
- Lived on the island of Crete
- Influenced (changed or had an effect on) later
cultures in Greece
- One of the best shipbuilders
- Traded wood, olive oil, and pottery for gold, silver
and jewels
- Volcanic eruptions may have led to the end of their
civilization.
The Mycenaeans - Early
Civilization
- First people to be considered Greek
- Built fortresses all over the Greek mainland
- Took over Crete after the Minoans and became the
major traders
- Didn’t trade peacefully
- Attacked other kingdoms
- Fell apart when invaders from Europe came into
Greece.
Life of a Farmer
- Jobs were difficult because…
– many people depended on them for food
and the weather was often not the best for
growing crops.
– many crops wouldn't grow.
– farmers had to pay a large tax to the
government.
Crops/Livestock
- Three major crops that farmers in ancient
Greece grew were grapes, olives, and corn.
- Farmers also raised animals that they later
killed for food. Donkeys, sheep, and goats
were raised most often in ancient Greece.
Food
The ancient Greeks ate many different
kinds of foods. Since they lived near the
Mediterranean Sea, they usually caught
fish, squid, and octopus for their meals.
- The other kind of meat that they ate was
the meat of small birds.
- The crops that they grew and ate most
were radishes, celery, beans, olives, and
different kinds of fruit.
- They also grew wheat to make bread and cakes.
- Since sugar was not available in ancient Greece,
they had to travel to the marketplace to buy
honey if they wanted to make sweet cakes.
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Review
1. Since Greece was surrounded by sea, what
was the sea used for?
2. How did the Minoan civilization end?
3. What was life like for a farmer?
4. What crops were grown?