Greece is located in Southern Europe, at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It is situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Athens, the capital, is one of the world's oldest cities and is considered the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Greece has a highly indented coastline and features thousands of islands in the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean seas, of which about 200 are inhabited. About 80% of Greece is mountainous, with Mount Olympus being the highest peak and the legendary home of the Greek gods. The country has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Greece's geography, with its fragmented islands and rugged mountains, historically led to the development of independent city-states. Today, it is a major maritime nation with one of the world's largest merchant fleets and a top global tourist destination for its history and beaches.