Athens

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. It is a major coastal city in the Mediterranean and the southernmost capital on the European mainland. With over 3.6 million people in its urban area, it is one of the biggest cities in the European Union.

Athens is one of the world's oldest cities, with a history that stretches back more than 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology, the city was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom. During Classical times, Athens was a powerful city-state and a center for Ancient Greek democracy, the arts, and philosophy. Many ideas that shape our world today began in Athens, making it known as the cradle of Western civilisation.

Today, Athens is a busy and important city in Greece. It plays a key role in the country's economy, finance, and culture. The city is home to famous old buildings like the Parthenon, which shows its rich history. Athens also has many museums and was the host city for the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896 and again for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Etymology and names

Further information: Names of European cities in different languages (A)

In Ancient Greek, Athens was called Ἀθῆναι (Athênai). The name might come from an older language spoken in the area before Greek.

People in ancient times wondered if the city was named after the goddess Athena or if she was named after the city. Many stories tell of Athena and the god Poseidon competing to be the city's protector. Athena offered the first olive tree, which the people chose, so she became the patron goddess of Athens.

History

Main article: History of Athens

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Athens.

Antiquity

Main articles: Classical Athens, Hellenistic Greece, and Roman Greece

Athens has been a home to people for over 5,000 years, starting from around 3000 BC. By 1400 BC, it became an important place in the Mycenaean civilization. The city grew and thrived, becoming a centre of trade and prosperity by 900 BC.

Classical Athens

Main articles: Classical Athens and Delian League

By the sixth century BC, Athens changed its ways of governing due to social unrest. This led to the start of democracy in 508 BC. Athens became a strong naval power and helped other Greek cities fight against Persian rulers. Big battles like Marathon and Salamis showed Athens's bravery.

The time that followed is called the Golden Age of Athenian democracy. Great writers, doctors, and thinkers lived there. Leaders like Pericles helped build many important buildings, including the Acropolis and the Parthenon. However, wars with Sparta caused problems.

Roman Empire

Later, Athens was respected by Rome for its schools and learning. Roman leaders built many public places. Even after changes in religion and rule, Athens stayed important for learning, especially for studying old Greek ideas.

Byzantine Athens

Main articles: Byzantine empire and Byzantine Greece

Athens faced attacks but kept its place as a centre for learning and culture. It grew in the Middle Ages, becoming busy with trade and building. Churches were built, showing the city's wealth and importance.

Duchy of Athens

Further information: Duchy of Athens

After the Fourth Crusade in 1204, Athens was ruled by different groups, including Latins and later the Ottoman Turks. This time was called the Frankokratia.

Ottoman Athens

Main article: Ottoman Greece

In 1458, Athens was taken by the Ottoman Turks. The city lost much of its importance and size. Leaders tried to protect its ancient buildings. Later, battles and changes caused more damage to places like the Parthenon.

Modern history

Main articles: Greek War of Independence, Kingdom of Greece, and Republic of Greece

In 1834, after gaining independence from Ottoman rule, Athens became the capital of Greece. Leaders planned a new city layout focusing on its ancient history. In 1896, Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games. The city grew after World War II and faced challenges with pollution, which were later improved. Athens hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics and continues to develop with new parks and buildings.

Geography

Athens is the capital city of Greece, sprawling across the central plain of Attica known as the Athens Basin. This area is surrounded by four large mountains: Mount Aigaleo to the west, Mount Parnitha to the north, Mount Pentelicus to the northeast, and Mount Hymettus to the east. The city stretches over 50 kilometres from Agios Stefanos in the north to Varkiza in the south and lies in the north temperate zone, about 38 degrees north of the equator.

Athens is built around many hills, with Lycabettus being one of the tallest, offering views of the entire Attica Basin. The city has a complex climate due to its mountains, which cause temperature changes and affect air quality. Efforts over the years have helped improve air quality, though challenges remain, especially during hot summers. The city also has several parks and green spaces, such as the National Garden of Athens, offering places to relax and enjoy nature.

Administration

Athens became the capital of Greece in 1834, after being led by Nafplion as the temporary capital since 1829. The city of Athens is also the capital of the Attica region. The term "Athens" can refer to the city itself, a larger urban area called Greater Athens, or the whole Athens Metropolitan Area.

The center of Athens falls inside the Municipality of Athens, the largest city in Greece. This area is made up of many smaller parts called municipal communities and districts. These smaller areas often are named after local landmarks like churches or squares.

The Athens Urban Area includes 40 nearby towns and cities, spread out over 412 square kilometers, home to over 3 million people. The Athens Metropolitan Area is even larger, covering 2,928 square kilometers and including 58 towns and cities, with a total population of about 3.6 million. Two important centers in this area are Athens and Piraeus.

Demographics

The Municipality of Athens had a population of 643,452 people in 2021. Together with the regional unit of Piraeus, the Athens Urban Area, also called Greater Athens, has a total population of 3,059,764 inhabitants.

The municipality of Athens is the most populous in Greece, covering an area of 38.96 km². The city is divided into several neighbourhoods, each with its own unique history and character. There are also communities from other countries living in Athens.

Economy

Athens is the financial center of Greece. In 2014, the city produced about US$130 billion in goods and services, which was almost half of Greece's total. Many important Greek companies, like Hellas Sat, Titan Cement, and Cosmote, have their main offices in Athens. Big international companies such as Sony, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola also have important offices there.

Tourism is very important to Athens. The city attracts many visitors each year who come to see its famous historical sites. Athens hosted the Olympic Games in 2004, which helped improve its roads, airports, and public transportation. Today, the city has many new places to eat, drink, and enjoy street art, making it an even more exciting place to visit.

Transport

Main article: Public transport in Athens

Athens is a major transportation hub in Greece. The city has the country’s largest airport and its biggest port, Piraeus, which is also the largest passenger port in Europe.

Athens is connected by buses, trains, and trams. The city’s Metro has three lines that help people move around easily. There are also buses and trolleybuses that cover many areas of the city. The Athens Tram runs along the coast and connects different parts of the city.

Education

Athens is a center for learning with many important schools and universities. One of the most famous groups of buildings is called the "Athens Trilogy," which includes the old campus of the University of Athens, the National Library, and the Athens Academy. These were built in the middle of the 1800s.

Athens has several large universities, such as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the National Technical University of Athens. There are ten main public universities in the Athens area, including the Athens School of Fine Arts, the Agricultural University of Athens, and the University of Piraeus. There are also private colleges, like the American College of Greece, even though private universities are not allowed by law in Greece.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Greece

Athens is a famous city for learning about ancient history. It has many museums that show treasures from long ago, such as the National Archaeological Museum, which holds items from over 5,000 years ago. Other museums include the Benaki Museum with art from many places and times, and the New Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009 and is very popular with visitors.

Athens has many different kinds of buildings, from very old styles to modern ones. Tall buildings are not allowed so that everyone can still see the Acropolis Hill. The city has been changing its style of buildings over many years, mixing old and new designs.

The city has many places for fun, like theaters, music halls, and movie theaters. Athens also has many restaurants and cafes in different neighborhoods. The city has a rich history in music and has produced famous composers and singers.

Athens has been an important place for sports. It has hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice, in 1896 and 2004. The city has many sports teams and stadiums, and it is known for its beautiful sports facilities. People in Athens enjoy many outdoor activities, like hiking and biking, because of the many hills and mountains around the city.

Politics

Athens, the capital city of Greece, has a system of local government with 58 electoral areas, or precincts. These areas were set up for the 2004 election to make sure each area had about the same number of voters. Before 2004, there were 68 precincts based on the Orthodox Parishes of Athens.