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Ancient Greece Map Worksheet
NEATLY (and I mean NEATLY) label the following places on the map above:
1. Put a dot on the map (be precise) for each of the following city-states and write the
name of the city- state next to it:
a. Athens
d. Sparta
b. Delphi
e. Troy
c. Olympia
2. Label the following land masses:
a. Greece
b. Asia Minor
c. Crete
d. Peloponnesus
e. Balkan Peninsula (trace the
coastline of the Balkan
Peninsula in green)
3. Label the following bodies of water:
a. Aegean Sea
b. Mediterranean Sea
c. Black Sea
4. Identify an example of each of the following by coloring it as follows: archipelago
(yellow), isthmus (red), peninsula (green), and strait (blue).
Using your textbook reading and inferences from the map above, as well as the maps in the
textbook, answer the following questions in complete sentences:
1. How did the geography of Greece present obstacles to unity? That is, why did the
people set up independent city-states rather than a Greek empire?
The rugged mountains and islands created many small city-states cut off from one
another. It encouraged independence and at times resulted in frequent rivalry
between city-states, often resulting in war. Competition for limited resources (e.g.,
arable land), also encouraged competition and rivalry, rather than unity.
2. How did the seas influence the Ancient Greeks?
The proximity to the open seas and the extensive seacoast encouraged Greeks to
become skilled sailors and traders. The Greek coastline along the Balkan and
Peloponnesus peninsulas offered safe harbors for ships. The coastline provided them
an excellent opportunity for sea trade and for cultural diffusion. Trade brought wealth
and prosperity in addition to contact with the ideas and skills of other cultures. Trade
became important, and rapid population growth resulted in the establishment of
colonies along the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also meant that a strong navy
was important as trade also brought conflict.
3. Why did the Greeks expand to overseas colonies? Why did they not expand
northwards?
The Greeks did not have enough arable land on the rocky, mountainous mainland
and the islands provided limited farmlands as well. Rapid population growth
resulted in the establishment of colonies along the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
The Greek city-states established colonies in order to provide them with the food
they needed.
North of Greece were rugged mountains which prohibited easy access to arable
land.