Greece is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world's top 20 countries. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the nation received about 17 million visitors from January to mid August 2007, a large number for a small country of 11 million. Visitors are drawn to the country's beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty. Appreciation of the achievements of its classical past has tended to overshadow its development as a free nation since the War of Independence from the Ottomans in 1821. It is equally a land where the languages of recent migrant communities from the Balkans, Africa, Asia, the English and German of EU migrants and retirees, contribute to Greece's status as one of Europe's more recent multicultural societies. The country's main industrial centers are Athens, Thessaloníki, Piraiévs, Pátrai, and Iráklion. Greece can be entered by automobile from any of its land neighbors. Travelers can rent a car at major cities in Greece and at car rental companies at the airports. The principal industries are tourism, agricultural processing, mining, petroleum refining, and the manufacture of textiles, chemicals, and metal products. There is a significant fishing industry in coastal areas. Greek cuisine is a blend of indigenous traditions and foreign influences. Neighboring Italy and Turkey have left a major impact on Greek cuisine, and there are shared dishes with both of these nations. The traditional Greek diet is very Mediterranean, espousing vegetables, herbs, and grains native to the Mediterranean biome. The Greeks incorporate plenty of seafood into their diet. The country is also a major producer and consumer of lamb; beef, pork, and especially chicken are also popular. Olive oil is a staple in Greek cooking, lemon and tomato paste are common ingredients.