Greece (Greek: Ελλάς, Hellas) is a country in southeastern Europe, on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula. Much of the country consists of peninsulas and islands in the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. It borders Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Ancient Greece was one of Europe's first urban civilizations, and the origin of much of the arts, language, philosophy, politics, and sports of western society. The cultural heritage and spectacular mountains and beaches draw tourists from far away.