| Athens (Greece. Αθήνα) is the capital of Greece, Nome Attica and prefectures of Athenes. Athens is situated in the Central part of Greece and is the economic, cultural and administrative center of the country. The city is named in the honor of the goddess Athena who was their protector. Today, Athens is a modern city, but also known to be a powerful city-state and a big cultural center during ancient times. Athens is considered as one of the historically richest cities in Europe. Athens is popular worldwide thanks to historical monuments, which are maintained here throughout many centuries. Piraeus is the historical port of the city. In Ancient Greece, the “Athena” name was in plural. In the 19th century, Athens was transformed into the singular. In 1970, with the refusal from katharevusa, the singular name became the official name.
The territory of the Athenian agglomeration is 412 000 sq km. This territory is surrounded by the mountains Aegaleo, Parnitha, Penteli and Hymettus. The total population constitutes of Greece is 3, 361, 806 people according to 2001 census. Thus, 8160 persons per 1 sq km. The city is situated at 20m above sea level and at the same time, the relief of the city’s territory is significantly varied with plains and mountains.
The population of Athens, together with the suburbs constitute about 3.7 million people (and also approximately 500,000 nonpermanent living immigrants). This is more than a 1/3 of the population in all Greece.
The centre of Ancient Athens was situated around the Acropolis and occupied the districts Thission and Plaka, together with the Syntagma square, the district Kolonaki and Lykavittos hill. Today, these districts are the tourist centers of the city. Monastiraki square is the largest trading locality of the city and tourist center. Syntagma square is the center of the modern city where the old Royal palace, parliament and several buildings from the 19th century are situated. Within 3 years of the Second World War, a considerable number of multi-storey buildings were constructed here, which make a modern picture of the city. The old building of the University of Athens, situated on Panepistimiou Street, is one of the most stylish buildings in the city along with the National Library and the Athens Academy. These three buildings are popularly known as the “Athens Trilogy” and were constructed in the 19th century. At the same time, educational activity has been shifted to the campus Zografou. The National Technical University of Athens, one of the largest universities in Europe and the Athens University of Economics and Business, earlier known as the Athens School of Economics and Business are also large educational institutions.
Places of interests in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome
* Acropolis;
* Horologion of Andronicos (Tower of the Winds);
* Theatre Dionis;
* Lykavittos;
* Herodes Atticus Theatre;
* Roman Agora;
* Ancient Agora;
* Temple of Olympian Zeus;
* Areopagus;
* Stoa of Attalos;
* Library Adriana
World famous citizens of Athens
* Theseus — one of the first ancient kings of Athens in 13 BC and the actual founder of the city;
* Miltiades the Younger — a commander in 5 BC and winner over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon;
* Themistocles — a commander in 5 BC who defeated the Persians in the Battle of Salamis;
* Pericles — a prominent figure and general of Athens in 5 BC;
* Solon — a legislator and poet in the beginning of 6 BC and one of the Seven Sages of the ancient world;
* Socrates — a philosopher at the end of 5 BC, founder of the Socratic schools of philosophy;
* Plato — a philosopher, student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle;
Museums and public buildings
* Kerameikos Museum;
* Byzantine and Christian Museum;
* National Archeological Museum;
* National Historical Museum;
* Theatrical Museum;
* Acropolis Museum;
* Ancient Agora Museum;
* Eleftherios Venizelos Museum;
* Fork Art and Tradition Centre;
* Museum of Greek Children’s Art;
* Museum of Greek Musical Instruments;
* Museum of Islamic Arts;
* Museum of the University of Athens;
* Kanellopoulos Museum;
* Museum of Cycladic Art;
* Benaki Museum;
* Museum of the city of Athens;
* Acropolis Museum;
* Numismatic Museum;
* Hellenic Children’s Museum;
* War Museum;
* Athens Railway Museum;
* Philatelic Museum.
Sport
The summer Olympic Games were conducted twice in Athens in 1896 and 2004. Also, the unofficial Olympic Games were conducted here in 1906, which were conducted without the consent of the International Olympic Committee and hence are not considered as official competitions.
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