Greece is a country in southeastern Europe, made up of thousands of islands dotting the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Influential during Antiquity, it is often called the cradle of Western civilization. Athens, its capital, has many sites of interest, including the Acropolis, dating from the 5th century BC, where the Parthenon is located. Greece is also known for its beaches, from the black sand stretches of Santorini to the bustling resorts of Mykonos