Athinai

Athinai (Greek: Αθήναι), also known as Athens, is the capital and largest city of Greece. It is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state that emerged in conjunction with the seagoing development of the port of Piraeus, which had been a distinct city prior to its 5th-century incorporation with Athens.

History

Athens is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely because of its cultural and political impact on the European continent, and in particular the Romans. In modern times, Athens is a large cosmopolitan metropolis and central to economic, financial, industrial, political, and cultural life in Greece.

Ancient Athens

In the classical period, Athens was a center for the arts, learning, and philosophy, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum, and is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely because of its cultural and political impact on the European continent, and in particular the Romans.

Medieval Period

During the medieval period, the city experienced decline and then recovery under the Byzantine Empire, and was relatively prosperous during the period of the Crusades, benefiting from Italian trade.

Modern Era

Athens was occupied by the Ottoman Empire and experienced a period of decline until it was declared the capital of the independent Greek state in 1834. Since then, it has grown rapidly and is now a bustling metropolis.

Geography

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

Climate

Athens has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa). The dominant feature of Athens' climate is alternation between prolonged hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Economy

Athens is the financial capital of Greece and has a large financial sector, and its port Piraeus is both the largest passenger port in Europe and the second largest in the world.

Culture

Athens is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Acropolis of Athens and the Daphni Monastery. The city is also known for its modern landmarks, such as the Hellenic Parliament and the Athens Trilogy, which includes the National Library of Greece, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the Academy of Athens.

Education

Athens is home to several prominent institutions of higher education, including the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the National Technical University of Athens, and the Athens University of Economics and Business.

Transportation

Athens is served by the Athens International Airport, the Athens Metro, and an extensive bus and trolleybus network. The city also has a tram system that connects the city center with the southern suburbs.

Related Pages

• Greece
• Piraeus
• Acropolis of Athens
• National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Mediterranean climate
• Western civilization
• Democracy