Attractions

 Islands & Coasts

• Coasts. The country's onshore ecosystems are of extreme importance. The coastline's length is 15,000 km in total (of which about half is the coastline of islands) where there are sandy beaches, sandy strands, dunes, craggy coasts, onshore wetlands (lagoons, morasses, periodically flooded areas, salty fields, shallow brackish waters etc.)

• Islands. An essential element of the Greek tourism product peculiarity is the island phenomenon. A total of 227 inhabited islands (of which 164 are washed by the Aegean Sea) are part of the Greek territory. Still, only 78 islands have more than 100 inhabitants (1991 Greek National Statistical Service Census). 59.9% of the whole country's hotel units, 62.2% of the available rooms and 62.2% of the hotel beds is concentrated on the Greek islands.

• Blue Flags Campaign 2002
  On June 5th 2002 the announcement was made of this year's awards of the "European Blue Flags" Campaign to 354 Greek beaches and 7 marinas. Greece is ranked second in number of awarded beaches.
  The Blue Flag is an international symbol of quality for organised beaches and marinas in 23 countries in Europe and other parts of the world.
  It is awarded, from 1987, onwards each year to those beaches and marinas which comply with strict criteria concerning cleanliness, organisation, and protection of the environment.
  The Campaign is targeted at coastal municipalities and co-operating private organisations in 23 European Countries.
  Ôhe programme is offered internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE). The general coordination is by Friluftsraadet - The Danish Outdoor Council.
  (Scandiagade 13 - DK- 2450 Copenhagen SV- Denmark
  Tel.: 0045 33 79 00 79 - Fax: 0045 33 79 01 79)
  
  The Operator of the Programme in Greece is the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN).
  (20, Nikis str., - 105 57 Athens - Greece
  Tel.: 010 3314563, 3225285 - Fax: 010 3225285)
  
  The programme is supported by the Ministries of the Environment, Planning and Public Works, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation, Merchant Marine and Health and Social Security. Also by the National Tourism Organisation and the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece.