Greece, Athens

Athens  is the capital and largest city of Greece. It is also known as the birthplace of democracy. Named after goddess Athena, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world with a recorded history of at least 3,000 years.

Today, the Greek capital is Europe's 8th largest conurbation, a bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis with an urban population of 3.2 million people and a metro population of 3.7 million people.

Geography

Athens sprawls across the central plain of Attica, often referred to as the Attica Basin, which is bound by Mount Aegaleo in the west, Mount Parnitha in the north, Mount Penteli in the northeast, Mount Hymettus in the east, and the Saronic Gulf in the southwest.

Population

The municipality of Athens has an official population of 745,514 with a metropolitan population of 3.7 million (population including the suburbs).

Culture

Athens probably has the most long-standing and impressive cultural heritage of any city in Europe. However, this pedigree is not confined to past greatness – a continued enthusiasm for the arts is expressed annually at the Athens Festival. In 1985, Athens became the first European City of Culture. The idea to showcase the cultural achievements of cities around the continent was conceived by Melina Mercouri, a Greek actress turned politician.

Athenian life

Athens is home to 148 theatrical stages, more than any other European city (including the famous ancient Herodes Atticus Theatre, home to the Athens Festival, which takes place from May to October each year).

Architecture

Athens is a melting pot of many different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman, Neo-Classical, and modern styles. Many of the prominent buildings of the city are either Greco-Roman, or Neo-Classical style.

Transportation

The Athens Mass Transit System consists of a large bus fleet, a trolleybus fleet that mainly serves the downtown area, the Athens Metro, a tram line connecting the southern suburbs to the city center, and the Athens Suburban Railway services. The public transportation system is occasionally disrupted by the striking of its public employees.