Description:
Aegean is a region in southeastern Europe, comprising the islands of Crete, Rhodes, and Kos. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of mainland Greece and Turkey, and to the west of the Balkans. The region has been inhabited since at least 7000 BC. The Minoan civilization was the first advanced civilization in the region, followed by the Mycenaean. The region entered the historical period in the 12th century BC, when the city-states of Athens and Sparta emerged. The Aegean was annexed by Rome in the second century BC, and became part of the Byzantine Empire. The region was divided into provinces in the 6th century AD, and became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. The Greek War of Independence, which began in 1821, led to the establishment of the modern Greek state. The Aegean region was annexed by Italy in 1941, and became part of the Italian Republic in 1946. The region was divided into provinces in 1948, and became part of the Greek Communist Republic in 1949. The Greek Civil War, which began in 1974, led to the establishment of the modern Greek state. The Aegean region was annexed by Turkey in 1974, and became part of the Turkish Republic in 1978. The region has been part of the European Union since 2003.
