FIND OUT MORE. Islands 42 • Olympics 356–357
People and Places^257
1 THE ACROPOLIS, ATHENS, GREECE
Just as in ancient times, the Acropolis dominates the city of Athens.
The rocky hill is crowned by the ruins of the Parthenon temple, which is
over 2,400 years old.
4 THERMAL SPRINGS, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Many baths and spas are built around Hungary’s warm natural springs,
whose mineral waters are believed to cure bathers of their ailments.
Some bathe for so long that they have time to play a game of chess!1 LESBOS HARBOUR, GREECE
Fishing boats shelter in this harbour on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Fishing is an important part of the Greek islands’ economy, and fresh
fish features on the menu of every restaurant.WHICH TWO COUNTRIES ARE
SEPARATED BY THE RIVER DANUBE?
Bulgaria and Romania are divided by the River
Danube, which forms a border between them. The
fertile plain on each side of the river is used as
farmland for grazing sheep, goats, and cattle, and
for growing crops like sunflowers, wheat, maize,
potatoes, and fruit.WHICH COUNTRY IS MADE
UP OF 2,000 SCATTERED ISLANDS?
Hundreds of small Greek islands dot the Aegean and
Ionian Seas. Every year, more than nine million tourists
visit Greece for its warm blue waters, beautiful scenery,
ancient ruins, and sunny climate. Demand for hotels
and restaurants has made tourism more profitable
than the more traditional farming and fishing.
WHY ARE CARS OFTEN BANNED FROM ATHENS?
In order to protect the ancient buildings of Athens
from damaging lead fumes, cars are sometimes
banned from the streets of the Greek capital. Traffic
produces toxic fumes that create a thick smog of air
pollution. This obscures the view of the Acropolis and
the Parthenon, Athens’ most famous ancient ruins,
and destroys the carving on their marble sculptures.1 ROMANIAN FARMERS
Hay is harvested on this Romanian farm as it has been for centuries.
Romania is a rich farming country – wheat, maize, potatoes, and fruit
are all grown on its fertile land.
ALBANIA
Capital city: Tirana
Area: 28,748 sq km
(11,100 sq miles)
Population: 3.1 million
Official language: Albanian
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Capital city: Sarajevo
Area: 51,129 sq km
(19,741 sq miles)
Population: 4.6 million
Official languages: Bosnian,
Serbian, Croatian
BULGARIA
Capital city: Sofia
Area: 110,910 sq km
(42,822 sq miles)
Population: 7.6 million
Official language: Bulgarian
CROATIA
Capital city: Zagreb
Area: 56,542 sq km
(21,831 sq miles)
Population: 4.4 million
Official language: Croatian
GREECE
Capital city: Athens
Area: 131,940 sq km
(50,942 sq miles)
Population: 11.2 million
Official language: Greek
HUNGARY
Capital city: Budapest
Area: 93,030 sq km
(35,919 sq miles)
Population: 10 million
Official language: Hungarian
KOSOVO (DISPUTED)
Capital city: Pristina
Area: 10,908 sq km
(4,212 sq miles)
Population: 2.1 million
Official languages: Albanian
and Serbian
MACEDONIA
Capital city: Skopje
Area: 25,333 sq km
(9,781 sq miles)
Population: 2 million
Official languages: Macedonian
and Albanian
MONTENEGRO
Capital city: Podgorica
Area: 13,812 sq km
(5,332 sq miles)
Population: 622,300
Official language: Montenegrin
ROMANIA
Capital city: Bucharest
Area: 237,500 sq km
(91,699 sq miles)
Population: 21.5 million
Official language: Romanian
SERBIA
Capital city: Belgrade
Area: 77,453 sq km
(29,905 sq miles)
Population: 7.3 million
Official language: Serbian
SLOVENIA
Capital city: Ljubljana
Area: 20,253 sq km
(7,820 sq miles)
Population: 2 million
Official language: SlovenianSOUTHEAST EUROPEWHICH COUNTRY IS FAMOUS FOR ITS HOT SPRINGS?
Hungary is famous for its thermal springs. These warm
mineral waters rise naturally from the ground and are
said to have medicinal properties. Baths and spas have
been built over the hot springs since Roman times.