Aegean Sea(爱琴海)
Branch of the Mediterranean between Greece and Turkey,extending as far south as Crete; the Dardanelles connect it with the Sea of Marmara,in turn linked with the Black Sea via the Bosporus.It is about 600 km/372 mi long and 290 km/180 mi wide,and covers some 214,000 sq km/82,625 sq mi,with a maximum depth of 3,540 m/11,600 ft.Tides are minimal,with a range of only about 40 cm/15 in.The numerous islands in the Aegean Sea include Crete,the Cyclades,the Sporades,and the Dodecanese.There is political tension between Greece and Turkey over sea limits claimed by Greece around such islands as Lesvos,Chios,Samos,and Kos.
Declining stocks of fish and sponges remain important,but tourism has become the area's principal economic activity.There is political tension between Greece and Turkey over sea limits claimed by Greece around such islands as Lesvos,Chios,Samos,and Kos,and over oil deposits discovered here in the 1970s.
希腊历史
The first major civilization in the Mediterranean area was the Minoan Civilization.It was named after King Minos and began about 2500 B.C.The Mineoans were skilled architects and built beautiful palaces.They were masters at jewelry and pottery making.They developed a system of writing.Archaeologists believe the Minoans landed in Greece and colonized parts of it.The Greeks imitated the Minoan style of architecture and pottery.
Around 1600 B.C.the Mineoans became weak and the Greeks,who were called Mycenaens after their largest city Mycenae,became stronger.Finally the Mycenaens landed in Crete and destroyed Knossos.The Mycenaens took control of the eastern part of the Mediterranean.Their greatest centers were at Mycenae,Tiryns,and Pylos.
From the ruins at Mycenae,archaeologist learned that the Greeks traded with the Egyptians during this period.Some scholars believe that the Iliad and the Odyssey are stories written about the warriors during the Mycenaean Age.
From 1100 to 800 B.C.Ancient Greece went through a dark ages.This started when a number of tribes from the north invaded the area.At this time the Greeks lost touch with the surrounding countries.Simplified versions of the old Mycenaean and Minoan pottery were produced.Metal craftsmanship was basic.
In about 800 B.C.the people of Greece began to emerge as a world power.The people developed a more advanced written language.Trade and travel among the countries lining the Mediterranean Sea started again.Pottery and metalworking became works of skilled craftsmen.The city-states of Athens and Sparta became powerful rivals.The population in Greece dramatically increased.Many Greeks moved to the new lands to the east and west to find more land.Written language re-emerged.Coins were invented by the East Greeks or Lydians.The Doric and Ionic architectural types of architecture were established with the building of the Greek temple.