In hard times over the course of the nation’s history (of which there have been many) Greeks of all educational levels have tended to emigrate in search of a better life. The Greek diaspora or Omogenia as it is called in Greek, is a longstanding phenomenon which goes back to Homeric times, with Greek colonies in the ancient period lining the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. In the modern period, Greek emigration dates chiefly from the 19th century, with major populations established in Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and elsewhere.