Greece has a deeply indented mainland coast and many islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas. The Peloponnese has a distinctive set of southward-pointing peninsulas, while Crete stretches east-west farther south. Mountains occupy much of the mainland interior.
Mountains and the Aegean islands
Trace the Peloponnese and find the narrow connection near Corinth. Compare its coastline with Crete at the same scale.
Similar landscapes across borders
Dry slopes and coastal settlements also occur in Turkey and Italy. White buildings and possible olive groves cannot establish Greece on their own. Start with the arrangement of islands and peninsulas, then examine smaller features.