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{{About|the capital of Greece}}

{{pp-move-indef}}

{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name='''Athens'''
|name_local=Αθήνα <br/> Athīna
|image_map=2011 Dimos Athineon.png
|image_skyline=Athens Montage 2.jpg
|imagesize=300
|caption_skyline=From upper left: the [[Acropolis of Athens|Acropolis]], the [[Hellenic Parliament]], the [[Zappeion]], the [[Acropolis Museum]], [[Monastiraki|Monastiraki Square]], Athens view towards the sea.
|city_flag=Flag of Athens.JPG
|city_seal=Athens seal.png
|lat_deg=37
|lat_min=58
|lon_deg=23
|lon_min=43
|periph=[[Attica (region)|Attica]]
|periphunit =[[Central Athens (regional unit)|Central Athens]]
|pop_municipality=655780
|area_municipality=38.964
|districts=7
|mayor=[[Giorgos Kaminis]]
|party=Independent
|since=29 December 2010
|demonym=Athenian
|elevation_min=70
|elevation_max=338
|population_as_of=2011
|population_urban=3074160
|area_urban=412
|population_metro=3737550
|area_metro=2928.717
|postal_code=10x xx, 11x xx, 120 xx
|area_code=21
|licence=Yxx, Zxx, Ixx (excluding ZAx and INx)
|website=[http://www.cityofathens.gr/ www.cityofathens.gr]
}}

'''Athens''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|θ|ɨ|n|z}};<ref>{{cite book
|title=Longman pronunciation dictionary
|first=John C.
|last=Wells
|publisher=Longman
|location=Harlow, England
|year=1990
|isbn=0582053838
|page=48
}} entry "Athens"
</ref> {{lang-ell|Αθήνα}}, ''Athína''; {{IPA-el|aˈθina|IPA}}; [[Katharevousa]]: Ἀθῆναι, ''Athine''; [[Ancient Greek]]: Ἀθῆναι, ''Athēnai'') is the [[Capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[Greece]]. Athens dominates the [[Attica (region)|Attica]] region and is one of the [[List of cities by time of continuous habitation|world's oldest cities]], as its [[recorded history]] spans around 3,400 years. [[Classical Athens]] was a powerful [[Polis|city-state]]. A centre for the arts, learning and [[philosophy]], home of [[Plato]]'s [[Platonic Academy|Academy]] and [[Aristotle]]'s [[Lyceum#History|Lyceum]],<ref>{{cite web |publisher=www.yppo.gr |title=Contents and Principles of the Programme of Unification of the Archaeological Sites of Athens |work=Hellenic Ministry of Culture |url=http://www.yppo.gr/4/e4000.jsp?obj_id=90&lhmma_id=3817 |accessdate=200–12–31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Greece uncovers 'holy grail' of Greek archeology |author=CNN & Associated Press |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/16/greece.lyceum/index.html |date=16 January 1997 |accessdate=28 March 2007 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071206113529/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/16/greece.lyceum/index.html |archivedate=6 December 2007}}</ref> it is widely referred to as the [[cradle of civilization|cradle]] of Western civilization and the birthplace of [[democracy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/40773/Athens |title=Athens |quote=Ancient Greek Athenai, historic city and capital of Greece. Many of classical civilization’s intellectual and artistic ideas originated there, and the city is generally considered to be the birthplace of Western civilization|accessdate=31 December 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/greekdemocracy_01.shtml BBC History on Greek Democracy] – Accessed on 26 January 2007</ref> largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC on the rest of the then known [[Europe|European continent]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20090129202226/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741501460/Ancient_Greece.html Encarta Ancient Greece] from the Internet Archive– Retrieved on 28 February 20012. [http://www.webcitation.org/5kwKobzGL Archived] 2009-10-31.</ref> Today a cosmopolitan metropolis, modern Athens is central to economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece. In 2008, Athens was ranked the world's [[List of cities by GDP|32nd richest city]] by purchasing power<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/economics/usb-purchasing-power.html |title=City Mayors: World's richest cities by purchasing power |publisher=[[City Mayors]] |accessdate=12 May 2008 |year=2008}}</ref> and the 25th most expensive<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/features/cost_survey.html |title=City Mayors: Cost of living – The world's most expensive cities |publisher=[[City Mayors]] |accessdate=26 December 2008 |year=2008}}</ref> in a [[UBS AG|UBS]] study.

The city of Athens has a population of 655,780<ref name="population">Hellenic Statistical Authority [http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/General/A1602_SAM01_DT_DC_00_2011_01_F_EN.pdf " PRESS RELEASE:Publication of provisional results of the 2011 Population Census"], ''Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT.)'', July 22, 2011, accessed August 14, 2011.</ref> (796,442 back in 2004)<ref name="Athens view">{{cite web |url=http://www.aviewoncities.com/athens/athensfacts.htm?tab=population |title=Athens Facts & Figures |first=|last=Athens Facts|work=aviewoncities.com |year=2011 [last update] |quote=796 442 |accessdate=17 June 2011}}</ref> within its administrative limits and a land area of {{convert|39|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=area>{{cite web |url=http://www.ypes.gr/topiki.htm |title=Characteristics |work=Hellenic Interior Ministry |publisher=www.ypes.gr |accessdate=6 January 2007 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070104231706/http://www.ypes.gr/topiki.htm |archivedate=4 January 2007}}</ref> The [[urban area]] of Athens (''Greater Athens'' and ''Greater Piraeus'') extends beyond the administrative municipal [[city limits]], with a population of 3,074,160 (in 2011),<ref name="statistics1">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/General/A1602_SAM01_DT_DC_00_2011_01_F_GR.pdf |title=ΕΛΣΤΑΤ Απογραφη 2011 |publisher=www.statistics.gr |accessdate=2011-08-22}}</ref> over an area of {{convert|412|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=area/> According to [[Eurostat]], the Athens [[Larger Urban Zones|Larger Urban Zone]] (LUZ) is the 7th most populous LUZ in the [[European Union]] (the 4th most populous capital city of the [[European Union|EU]]) with a population of 4,013,368 (in 2004). Athens is also the southernmost capital on the European mainland.

The heritage of the [[Classical Greece|classical era]] is still evident in the city, represented by a number of [[ancient monument]]s and works of art, the most famous of all being the [[Parthenon]], widely considered a key landmark of early [[Western culture|Western civilization]]. The city also retains a vast variety of [[Roman Greece|Roman]] and [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] monuments projecting the city's long history across the centuries. Athens is home to two [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]], the [[Acropolis of Athens]] and the medieval [[Daphni Monastery]]. Landmarks of the modern era, dating back to the establishment of Athens as the capital of the independent Greek state in 1833, include the [[Hellenic Parliament]] (19th century) and the Athens Trilogy consisting of the [[National Library of Greece]], the [[National and Kapodistrian University of Athens|Athens University]] and the [[Academy of Athens (modern)|Academy of Athens]]. Athens was the host city of the [[1896 Summer Olympics|first modern-day Olympic Games]] in 1896, and 108 years later it welcomed home the [[2004 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=oly>{{cite news |title=Sentiment a factor as Athens gets 2004 Olympics |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/news/1997/09/05/athens_update/ |author=CNN & Sports Illustrated |publisher=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=5 September 1997 |accessdate=28 March 2007}}</ref> Athens is home to the [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archeological Museum]], featuring the world's largest collection of ancient Greek antiquities, as well as the new [[Acropolis Museum]].

==Etymology==

[[File:Athena Varvakeion - MANA - Fidias.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Athena]], patron goddess of Athens]]

{{Further|Names of European cities in different languages: A}}

In [[Ancient Greek language|Ancient Greek]] the name of Athens was '''Ἀθῆναι''' (atʰênai, {{IPA-el|atʰɛ̂ːnai|}}) in plural. However, in earlier Greek such as in [[Homeric Greek]] the name was in the singular form as ''Ἀθήνη'' (atʰḗnē)<ref>As for example in [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hom.+Od.+7&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0135 Od.7.80]</ref> and then changed in the plural, like those of Θῆβαι (''[[Thebes, Greece|Thêbai]]'') and Μυκῆναι (''[[Mycenae|Μukênai]]''). The root of the word is probably not of Greek or [[Indo-European]] origin as it is possibly a remnant of the [[Pre-Greek substrate]] of Attica.<ref>http://www.elia.org.gr/default.fds?langid=2&pagecode=16.02.01</ref> So is the name of the goddess [[Athena]] ([[Attic Greek|Attic]] Ἀθηνᾶ {{IPA|[atʰɛːnâː]}} and [[Ionic Greek|Ionic]] Ἀθήνη {{IPA|[aˈtʰɛːnɛː]}}) who was always related with the city of Athens. During the medieval period the name of the city was rendered once again in the singular as Ἀθήνα {{IPA-el|aˈθina|}}. However, because of the conservatism of the written language, ''Ἀθῆναι'' [aˈθine] remained the official name of the city until the abandonment of [[Katharevousa]] in the 1970s, when Ἀθήνα became the official name.

Previously, there had been other etymologies by scholars of the 19th century. [[Christian Lobeck|Lobeck]] proposed as the root of the name the word ''ἄθος'' (athos) or ''ἄνθος'' (anthos) i.e. flower, to denote Athens as the ''flowering'' city. On the other hand, [[Ludwig Döderlein|Döderlein]] proposed the stem of the verb ''θάω'', st. ''θη–'' (thaō, st. thē–, "to suck") to denote Athens as having fertile soil.<ref>''[[Great Greek Encyclopedia]]'', vol. II, page 30, Athens, 1927</ref>

An [[etiological myth]] explaining how Athens acquired this name was well known among ancient Athenians and even became the theme of the sculpture on the West pediment of the [[Parthenon]]. Both [[Athena]] and [[Poseidon]] requested to be patrons of the city and to give their name to it, so they competed with one another for the honor, offering the city one gift each. Poseidon produced a salt water [[Spring (hydrosphere)|spring]] by striking the ground with his trident, symbolizing [[naval power]]. However, some myths say that he created horses out of sea foam as a gift for Athens. Athena created the [[Olive oil#History|olive tree]], symbolizing [[Olive branch|peace]] and [[prosperity]]. The Athenians, under their ruler [[Cecrops I|Cecrops]], accepted the olive tree and named the city after Athena.

The city is often referred to with its nickname in Greek as ''τὸ κλεινὸν ἄστυ'', which means in [[English language|English]] ''the glorious city''.

==History==
{{Main|History of Athens}}
{{wide image|Acropolis (pixinn.net).jpg|600px|<center>[[Acropolis of Athens]].</center>.}}
[[File:KAMA Kouros Porte Sacrée.jpg|thumb|140px|left|[[Dipylon]] [[Kouros]], Marble, 620–610 BC, Kerameikos Archaeological Museum, Athens]]
[[File:Dipylon-vase.jpg|thumb|left|140px|[[Dipylon]] vase of [[Geometric style]],750 BC]]
The oldest known human presence in Athens is the Cave of Schist which has been dated to between the 11th and 7th millennium BC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=11380&subid=2&tag=8796&pubid=2530782 |title=v4.ethnos.gr – Οι πρώτοι... Αθηναίοι – τεχνες , πολιτισμος |publisher=Ethnos.gr |accessdate=25 January 2010}}</ref> Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 7000 years.<ref>S. Immerwahr, The Athenian Agora XII: the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, Princeton 1971</ref><ref name=tung/>
By 1400 BC the settlement had become an important centre of the [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenaean]] civilization and the Acropolis was the site of a major [[Mycenae]]an fortress whose remains can be recognised from sections of the characteristic [[Cyclopean]] walls.<ref>Iakovides, S. 1962. 'E mykenaïke akropolis ton Athenon'. Athens.</ref> Unlike other Mycenaean centers, such as [[Mycenae]] and [[Pylos]], it is not known whether Athens suffered destruction in about 1200 BC, an event often attributed to a [[Dorians|Dorian]] invasion, and the Athenians always maintained that they were "pure" [[Ionians]] with no Dorian element. However, Athens, [[Bronze Age collapse|like many other Bronze Age settlements]], went into economic decline for around 150 years following this.

[[Iron Age]] burials, in the [[Kerameikos]] and other locations, are often richly provided for and demonstrate that from 900 BC onwards Athens was one of the leading centers of trade and prosperity in the region.<ref>Osborne, R. 1996, 2009. ''Greece in the Making 1200 – 479 BC''.</ref> The leading position of Athens may well have resulted from its central location in the Greek world, its secure stronghold on the Acropolis and its access to the sea, which gave it a natural advantage over inland rivals such as [[Thebes (Greece)|Thebes]] and [[Sparta]].

By the 6th century BC, widespread social unrest led to the reforms of [[Solon]]. These would pave the way for the eventual introduction of [[democracy]] by [[Cleisthenes]] in 508 BC. Athens had by this time become a significant naval power with a large fleet, and helped the [[Ionian Revolt|rebellion of the Ionian cities]] against [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]]n rule. In the ensuing [[Greco-Persian Wars]] Athens, together with Sparta, led the coalition of Greek states that repelled the Persians, defeating them decisively at [[Battle of Marathon|Marathon]] in 490 BC and crucially at [[Battle of Salamis|Salamis]] in 480 BC.

[[File:Map athenian empire 431 BC-en.svg|thumb|right|300px|[[Delian League]],under the leadership of ''Athens''' before the [[Peloponnesian War]] in [[431 BC]]]]
The decades that followed became known as the [[Fifth-century Athens|Golden Age of Athenian democracy]], during which time Athens became the leading city of [[Ancient Greece]], with its cultural achievements laying the foundations of [[western culture|Western civilization]]. The playwrights [[Aeschylus]], [[Sophocles]] and [[Euripides]] all lived and worked in Athens during this time, as did the historians [[Herodotus]] and [[Thucydides]], the physician [[Hippocrates]], and the philosopher [[Socrates]]. Guided by [[Pericles]], who promoted the arts and fostered democracy, Athens embarked on an ambitious building program that saw the construction of the [[Acropolis of Athens]] (including the [[Parthenon]]), as well as empire-building via the [[Delian League]]. Originally intended as an association of Greek city-states to continue the fight against the Persians, the league soon turned into a vehicle for Athens's own imperial ambitions. The resulting tensions brought about the [[Peloponnesian War]] (431–404 BC), in which Athens was defeated by its rival [[Sparta]].

By the end of [[Late Antiquity]] the city experienced decline followed by recovery in the second half of the Middle Byzantine Period (9th–10th centuries AD), and was relatively prosperous during the [[Crusades]], benefiting from Italian trade. In 1458 it was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] and entered a long period of decline.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

Following the [[Greek War of Independence]], Athens was chosen as the capital of the newly independent Greek state in 1834, largely due to historical and sentimental reasons. At the time it was a town of modest size built around the foot of the Acropolis. The first [[King of Greece]], Otto of Bavaria, commissioned the architects Stamatios Kleanthis and Gustav Schaubert to design a modern city plan fit for the capital of a state.

The first modern city plan consisted of a triangle defined by the [[Acropolis]], the ancient cemetery of [[Kerameikos]] and the new palace of the Bavarian king (now housing the [[Greek Parliament]]), so as to highlight the continuity between modern and ancient Athens. Neoclassicism, the international style of this epoch, was the architectural style through which Bavarian, French and Greek architects such as Hansen, Klenze, Boulanger or Kaftantzoglou designed the first important public buildings of the new capital. In 1896 Athens hosted the first modern [[Olympic Games]]. During the 1920s a number of Greek refugees, expelled from [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]] after the [[Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)]], swelled Athens's population; nevertheless it was most particularly following [[World War II]], and from the 1950s and 1960s, that the population of the city exploded, and Athens experienced a gradual expansion in all directions. In the 1980s it became evident that smog from factories and an ever increasing fleet of automobiles, as well as a lack of adequate free space due to congestion, had evolved into the city's most important challenge. A series of anti-pollution measures taken by the city's authorities in the 1990s, combined with a substantial improvement of the city's infrastructure (including the [[Attiki Odos]] motorway, the expansion of the [[Athens Metro]], and the new [[Athens International Airport]]), considerably alleviated pollution and transformed Athens into a much more functional city. In 2004 Athens hosted the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] with great success.

{{wide image|Acropolis-panorama-night.jpg|700px|<center>View of the [[Parthenon]].</center>}}

==Geography==
[[File:Πανοραμική Νέας Πεντέλης.jpg|thumb|View of [[Mount Penteli]], the second-tallest mountain surrounding Athens.]]

===Geology===

Athens sprawls across the central plain of [[Attica]] that is often referred to as the ''Athens or Attica Basin'' ([[Modern Greek|Greek]]: Λεκανοπέδιο Αττικής). The basin is bounded by four large mountains: Mount [[Egaleo|Aegaleo]] to the west, Mount [[Parnitha]] to the north, Mount [[Penteli, Greece|Penteli]] to the northeast and Mount [[Hymettus]] to the east.<ref name="Focus on Athens">{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanheatisland.info/images/newsletter/UHI_newsletter_Issue_1.pdf |title=Focus on Athens|accessdate=18 March 2011 |work=UHI Quarterly Newsletter, Issue 1, May 2009, page 2|publisher=www.urbanheatisland.info}}</ref> Beyond Mount Aegaleo lies the [[Thriasian plain]], which forms an extension of the central plain to the west. The [[Saronic Gulf]] lies in the southwest. Mount Parnitha is the tallest of the four mountains ({{convert|1413|m|ft|0|abbr=on}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parnitha-np.gr/welcome.htm |title=Welcome!!! |publisher=Parnitha-np.gr |accessdate=10 June 2009}}</ref> and it has been declared a [[national park]].

Athens is built around a number of hills. [[Mount Lycabettus|Lycabettus]] is one of the tallest hills of the city proper and provides a view of the entire Attica Basin. The geomorphology of Athens is deemed to be one of the most complex in the world due to its mountains and causes a [[inversion (meteorology)|temperature inversion]] phenomenon which, along with the failure of the Greek Government to control industrial pollution, is responsible for the air pollution problems the city has recently faced.<ref name=tung/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minenv.gr/1/12/122/12204/e1220400.html |work=Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and Public Works |title=Daily Report on Air Pollution Levels |accessdate=26 January 2007 |publisher=www.minenv.gr}}</ref> This issue is not characteristic of Athens alone; for intsance, [[Los Angeles]] and [[Mexico City]] also suffer from similar geomorphology inversion problems.<ref name=tung>{{cite book |last=Tung |first=Anthony |chapter=The City the Gods Besieged |title=Preserving the World's Great Cities: The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis |year=2001 |location=New York |publisher=Three Rivers Press |isbn=0-609-80815-X |page=266}}</ref>

===Climate===

Athens has a subtropical [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Csa'') and receives just enough annual precipitation to avoid Köppen's ''BSh'' ([[semi-arid climate]]) classification. The dominant feature of Athens's climate is alternation between prolonged hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters.<ref>Founda D. (2011). "Evolution of the air temperature in Athens and evidence of climatic change: A review". Advances in Building Energy Research, 5,1, 7–41, http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/earthscan/aber/2011/00000005/00000001/art00001.</ref> With an average of {{convert|414.1|mm|in}} of yearly precipitation, rainfall occurs largely between the months of October and April. July and August are the driest months, where thunderstorms occur sparsely once or twice a month. Winters are cool and rainy, with a January average of {{convert|8.9|C|1}}; in [[Nea Filadelfeia]] and {{convert|10.3|C|1}} in [[Hellinikon]]; Snowstorms are infrequent but can cause significant disruption when they occur. Snowfalls are more frequent in the northern suburbs of the city.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12674491 visited may 6, 2011]</ref>

[[Parnitha|Mount Parnitha]] creates a [[rainshadow]] for the city, as a result of which precipitation is typically lower than in other parts of the Balkans; for a typical comparison, [[Tirana]] receives over three times more rainfall and [[Shkodra]] about five times as much. Daily average highs for July (1955-2004) have been measured at {{convert|33.7|C|1}} at [[Nea Filadelfeia]] weather station [http://www.hnms.gr/hnms/greek/climatology/heat_wave.pdf], but other parts of the city may be even warmer, in particular western parts partially due to industrialization or mainly due to various natural reasons (knowledge of which we have at least from the mid 19th century).<ref>Κωνσταντίνος Μαυρογιάννης, Αθήναι (1981).''Παρατηρήσεις επί του κλίματος των Αθηνών και της ενεργείας αυτού επί της ζωϊκής οικονομίας'' σελ 29.</ref><ref>http://www.eib.org/attachments/pipeline/20090584_eia_el.pdf</ref><ref>Giannopoulou K., Livada I., Santamouris M., Saliari M., Assimakopoulos M., Caouris Y.G. (2011). "On the characteristics of the summer urban heat island in Athens, Greece". Sustainable Cities and Society, 1, pp. 16–28.</ref> Temperatures often surpass {{convert|38|°C|°F|0}} during the city's notorious heatwaves.<ref name="Focus on Athens"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/08/29/esa.helps.make.summer.city.more.bearable|title=European Space Agency to help Athens become bearable in summer |accessdate=17 April 2010}}</ref>

The city of Athens is affected by the [[urban heat island]] effect in some areas which is caused by human activity,<ref>Giannakopoulos C., Hatzai M., Kostopoulou E., McCarty M., Goodess C. (2010). "The impact of climate change and urban heat islands on the occurrence of extreme events in cities. The Athens case". Proc. of the 10th International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics, Patras, Greece, May 25th–28th, 2010, pp. 745–752.</ref><ref name="esciencenews.com">{{cite web|url=http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/08/29/esa.helps.make.summer.city.more.bearable|title=European Space Agency ESA helps make summer in the city more bearable|accessdate=7 November 2010}}</ref> altering its temperatures compared to the surrounding rural areas,<ref name="Katsoulis B.D. 1985">Katsoulis B.D., Theoharatos G.A. (1985). "Indications of the Urban Heat Island in Athens, Greece". Journal of Applied Meteorology, vol. 24, Issue 12, pp.1296–1302</ref><ref>Stathopoulou M., Cartalis C., Andritsos A. (2005)."Assessing the thermal environment of major cities in Greece". International Conference "Passive and Low Energy Cooling for the Built Environment", May 2005, Santorini, Greece, pp. 108–112.</ref><ref>Kassomenos P.A. and Katsoulis B.D. (2006). "Mesoscale and macroscale aspects of the morning Urban Heat Island around Athens, Greese", Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, 94, pp. 209–218.</ref><ref>Santamouris M., Papanikolaou N., Livada I., Koronakis I., Georgakis A., Assimakopoulos D.N. (2001). "On the impact of urban climate on the energy consumption of buildings". Solar Energy, 70 (3): pp. 201–216.</ref> that has detrimental effects on energy usage, expenditure for cooling,<ref>Santamouris M. (1997). "Passive Cooling and Urban Layout". Interim Report, POLIS Research Project, European Commission, Directorate General for Science, Research and Development.> and human wellbeing and health.</ref><ref>Santamouris M., Papanikolaou I., Livada I., Koronakis C., Georgakis C, Assimakopoulos D.N. (2001). "On the impact of Urban Climate to the Energy Consumption of Buildings". Solar Energy, 70, 3, pp. 201–216.</ref> and health.<ref name="esciencenews.com"/> The urban heat island of the city has been found partially responsible also for alterations of the climatological temperature time-series of specific Athens meteorological stations due to its impact on the temperatures and the temperatures trends recorded by some meteorological stations.<ref>Katsoulis B. (1987). "Indications of change of climate from the Analysis of air temperature time series in Athens, Greece". Climatic Change, 10, 1, pp- 67–79.</ref><ref>Repapis C. C, Metaxas D. A. (1985). "The Possible influence of the urbanization in Athens city on the air temperature climatic fluctuations at the National Observatory". Proc. of the 3rd Hellenic-British Climatological Congress, Athens, Greece 17–21 April 1985, pp.188–195.</ref><ref>Philandras C.M, Metaxas D.A., Nastos P.T. (1999). "Climate variability and Urbanization in Athens". Theoretical and Applied Climatology, vol. 63, Issue 1–2, pp.65–72.</ref><ref>Philandras C.M, Nastos P.T. (2002). "The Athens urban effect on the air temperature time series of the National Observatory of Athens and New Philadelphia stations". Proc. of the 6th Hellenic Conference on Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics, Ioannina Greece, 25–28 September 2002, pp.501–506.</ref><ref>Repapis C.C., Philandras C.M., Kalabokas P.D., Zerefos C.S. (2007). "Is the last years abrupt warming in the National Observatory of Athens records a Climate Change Manifestation?". Global NEST Journal, Vol 9, No 2, pp. 107–116.</ref> On the other hand specific meteorological stations such as the National Garden station and Thiseio meteorological station are less affected or do not experience the urban heat island<ref name="Katsoulis B.D. 1985"/><ref>Livada I., Santamouris M., Niachou K., Papanikolaou N., Mihalakakou G. (2002). "Determination of places in the great Athens area where the heat island effect is observed". Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 71, Numbers 3–4, 219–230.</ref>

Athens holds the [[World Meteorological Organisation]] record for the highest temperature ever being recorded in Europe of {{convert|48.0|C|F|1}} which was recorded in [[Eleusina|Elefsina]] and Tatoi suburbs of Athens on 10 July 1977.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wmo.asu.edu/europe-highest-temperature|title=Europe's highest temperature |accessdate=3 April 2009}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location=National Observatory of Athens (Thissio), 107 m asl (1971–2000 for temperature; 1961–1990 for rainfall)
|metric first=Yes
|single line=yes
|Jan high C=13.0
|Feb high C=13.7
|Mar high C=16.1
|Apr high C=20.5
|May high C=25.8
|Jun high C=30.6
|Jul high C=33.1
|Aug high C=32.8
|Sep high C=29.2
|Oct high C=23.5
|Nov high C=18.1
|Dec high C=14.4
|year high C=
|Jan low C=6.7
|Feb low C=6.8
|Mar low C=8.2
|Apr low C=11.6
|May low C=16.0
|Jun low C=20.4
|Jul low C=22.8
|Aug low C=22.5
|Sep low C=19.4
|Oct low C=15.1
|Nov low C=11.2
|Dec low C=8.2
|year low C=
|rain colour=green
|Jan rain mm=44.6
|Feb rain mm=48.3
|Mar rain mm=42.6
|Apr rain mm=28.2
|May rain mm=17.2
|Jun rain mm=9.7
|Jul rain mm=4.2
|Aug rain mm=4.6
|Sep rain mm=11.9
|Oct rain mm=47.7
|Nov rain mm=50.6
|Dec rain mm=66.6
|source 1=National Observatory of Athens<ref name="Thiseio">
"Monthly bulletins",
N.O.A, web:
[http://cirrus.meteo.noa.gr/forecast/bolam/index.htm].</ref>
|date=November 2011}}

Below are the meteorological data for the northern suburb of Nea Filadelfeia

{{Weather box
|location=Athens
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|Jan high C=12.5
|Feb high C=13.5
|Mar high C=15.7
|Apr high C=20.2
|May high C=26.0
|Jun high C=31.1
|Jul high C=33.5
|Aug high C=33.2
|Sep high C=29.2
|Oct high C=23.3
|Nov high C=18.1
|Dec high C=14.1
|year high C=22.5
|Jan mean C=8.9
|Feb mean C=9.5
|Mar mean C=11.2
|Apr mean C=14.9
|May mean C=20.0
|Jun mean C=24.7
|Jul mean C=27.2
|Aug mean C=27.0
|Sep mean C=23.3
|Oct mean C=18.4
|Nov mean C=14.0
|Dec mean C=10.5
|year mean C=17.4
|Jan low C=5.2
|Feb low C=5.4
|Mar low C=6.7
|Apr low C=9.6
|May low C=13.9
|Jun low C=18.2
|Jul low C=20.8
|Aug low C=20.7
|Sep low C=17.3
|Oct low C=13.4
|Nov low C=9.8
|Dec low C=6.8
|year low C=12.3
|rain colour=green
|Jan rain mm=56.9
|Feb rain mm=46.7
|Mar rain mm=40.7
|Apr rain mm=30.8
|May rain mm=22.7
|Jun rain mm=10.6
|Jul rain mm=5.8
|Aug rain mm=6.0
|Sep rain mm=13.9
|Oct rain mm=52.6
|Nov rain mm=58.3
|Dec rain mm=69.1
|year rain mm=414.1
|Jan rain days=12.6
|Feb rain days=10.4
|Mar rain days=10.2
|Apr rain days=8.1
|May rain days=6.2
|Jun rain days=3.7
|Jul rain days=1.9
|Aug rain days=1.7
|Sep rain days=3.3
|Oct rain days=7.2
|Nov rain days=9.7
|Dec rain days=12.1
|year rain days=87.1
|Jan humidity=74.5
|Feb humidity=72.2
|Mar humidity=68.8
|Apr humidity=61.7
|May humidity=53.9
|Jun humidity=46.1
|Jul humidity=43.1
|Aug humidity=45.3
|Sep humidity=53.7
|Oct humidity=66.1
|Nov humidity=74.3
|Dec humidity=76.1
|year humidity=68.8
|Jan sun=130.2
|Feb sun=139.2
|Mar sun=182.9
|Apr sun=231.0
|May sun=291.4
|Jun sun=336.0
|Jul sun=362.7
|Aug sun=341.0
|Sep sun=276.0
|Oct sun=207.7
|Nov sun=153.0
|Dec sun=127.1
|year sun=2778.2
|source 1=[[World Meteorological Organization]] ([[United Nations|UN]]),<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.worldweather.org/063/c00177.htm
|title=Weather Information for Athens
|accessdate=}}</ref> [[Hong Kong Observatory]]<ref>[http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/gr_tu/athens_e.htm "Climatological Information for Athens, Greece"] – Hong Kong Observatory</ref> <small>for data of sunshine hours</small>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Government==
[[File:Prefectures of Attica athens.png|thumb|The former [[Athens Prefecture]] (blue), within the region of [[Attica (region)|Attica]] (grey).]]

Athens became the [[Capital city|capital]] of Greece in 1834, following [[Nafplion]] which was the provisional capital from 1829. In addition, the municipality of Athens is the capital of the [[Attica region]]. ''Athens'' can refer either to the municipality of Athens or to the entire Athens [[Urban Area]], which makes up the "City of Athens" that sprawls across the ''Attica Basin''.

===Attica Region===

The '''Athens Metropolitan Area''' sprawling over {{convert|2,928.717|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} is located within the {{convert|3808|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} [[Attica (region)|Attica]] region. The region encompasses the most populated region of Greece, reaching 3,812,330 inhabitants in 2011,<ref name=population/> while it is however, one of the smallest regions in the country.

The Attica region itself is split into eight [[regional units of Greece|regional units]], out of which the first four form ''Greater Athens'', while the [[Piraeus (regional unit)|regional unit of Piraeus]] forms ''Greater Piraeus''. Together they make up the contiguous built up [[urban area]] of the Greek capital, spanning over {{convert|412|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Kallikratis>{{PDFlink|1=[http://www.kedke.gr/uploads2010/FEKB129211082010_kallikratis.pdf Kallikratis reform law text]}}</ref>
*[[North Athens (regional unit)|North Athens]] (Urban Area)
*[[West Athens (regional unit)|West Athens]] (Urban Area)
*[[Central Athens (regional unit)|Central Athens]] (Urban Area)
*[[South Athens (regional unit)|South Athens]] (Urban Area)
*[[Piraeus (regional unit)|Piraeus]] (Urban Area)
*[[East Attica]] (Metropolitan area)
*[[West Attica]] (Metropolitan Area)
*[[Islands (regional unit)|Islands]]

Until 2010, the first four regional units above also made up the abolished [[Athens Prefecture]] (what is referred to as ''Greater Athens''), which was the most populous of the [[Prefectures of Greece]] at the time, accounting for 2,664,776 people (in 2001),<ref name=population/> within an area of {{convert|361|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=area/>

===Athens Municipality===
[[File:Athens dimotiko diamerisma.PNG|thumb|The seven districts of Athens municipality]]

The [[municipality]] of Athens is the [[List of cities in Greece|most populous in Greece]], with a population of 655,780 people (in 2011)<ref name=population/> and an area of {{convert|39|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=area/> The current [[List of mayors of Athens|mayor of Athens]] is [[Giorgos Kaminis]]. The municipality is divided into seven municipal districts which are mainly used for administrative purposes. For Athenians the most popular way of dividing the city proper is through its neighbourhoods such as [[Pangrati|Pagkrati]], [[Ambelokipi, Athens|Ambelokipi]], [[Exarcheia]], [[Patissia]], [[Ilissia]], [[Petralona]], [[Koukaki]] and [[Kypseli, Athens|Kypseli]], each with its own distinct history and characteristics.

The Athens municipality forms the core and centre of '''Greater Athens''' which consists of the Athens municipality and 34 more municipalities, which are divided in the four regional units mentioned above.

{|class="wikitable"
|+ '''Municipalities of Greater Athens'''
|-
|style="text-align:center;" colspan="3"|
{|style="width: 100%; font-size: 80%;"
|-
|[[Central Athens (regional unit)|Central Section]]: ||1. [[City of Athens]] ||2. [[Dafni–Ymittos|Dafni]] ||3. [[Ilioupoli]] ||4. [[Vyronas]] ||5. [[Kaisariani]] ||6. [[Zografou]] ||7. [[Galatsi]] ||8. '''[[Filadelfeia–Chalkidona|Filadelfeia]]'''
|}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|
{|style="width: 100%; font-size: 80%;"
|-
|[[West Athens (regional unit)|West Section]]:
|-
|29. [[Egaleo]]
|-
|30. [[Agia Varvara]]
|-
|31. [[Chaidari]]
|-
|32. [[Peristeri]]
|-
|33. [[Petroupoli]]
|-
|34. [[Ilio, Greece|Ilio]]n
|-
|35. [[Agioi Anargyroi]] – [[Kamatero]]
|}
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Athens Municipalities g2.jpg|470px|Athens]]
|style="text-align:center;"|
{|style="width: 100%; font-size: 80%;"
|-
|[[North Athens (regional unit)|North Section]]:
|-
|9. [[Nea Ionia]]
|-
|10. [[Irakleio, Attica|Irakleio]]
|-
|11. [[Metamorfosi]]
|-
|12. [[Lykovrysi]] – [[Pefki]]
|-
|13. [[Kifissia]]
|-
|14. [[Penteli, Greece|Penteli]]
|-
|15. [[Marousi|Amarousio]]
|-
|16. [[Vrilissia]]
|-
|17. [[Agia Paraskevi|Ag. Paraskevi]]
|-
|18. [[Cholargos]] – [[Papagou]]
|-
|19. [[Chalandri]]
|-
|20. [[Filothei]] – [[Psychiko]]
|}
|-
|style="text-align:center;" colspan="3"|
{|style="width: 100%; font-size: 80%;"
|-
|[[South Athens (regional unit)|South Section]]:||21. [[Glyfada]] ||22. [[Elliniko-Argyroupoli]] ||23. [[Alimos]] ||24. [[Agios Dimitrios]] ||25. [[Nea Smyrni]] ||26. [[Palaio Faliro|Faliro]] ||27. [[Kallithea]] ||28. [[Moschato–Tavros|Moschato]]
|}
|}

The municipalities of Greater Athens along with the municipalities within Greater [[Piraeus]] ([[Piraeus (regional unit)|regional unit of Piraeus]]) form the Athens Urban Area, while the larger metropolitan area includes several additional suburbs and towns surrounding the dense [[urban area]] of the Greek capital.

==Cityscape==
{{wide image|Athens4 tango7174.jpg|800px|<center> View of parts of central Athens and its eastern suburbs from [[Mount Lycabettus]]}}

===Architecture===
[[File:Aigyptou Square Athens.JPG|left|thumb|220px|Two apartment buildings in central Athens. Both are influenced by Modernism; the left one is a typical modern building of Athens built in the 1930s while the right one blends modern and classical elements, built in the 1950s.]]
[[File:Zappeion.jpg|left|thumb|220px|[[Zappeion]] Hall.]]
The city of Athens contains a variety of different [[architectural style]]s, ranging from [[Greco-Roman world|Greco-Roman]], [[Neoclassical architecture|Neo-Classical]], to modern. They are often to be found in the same areas, as Athens is not marked by a uniformity of architectural style. Many of the most prominent buildings of the city are either Greco-Roman or neo-classical in styling. Some of the neo-classical structures to be found are public buildings erected during the mid-19th century, under the guidance of [[Baron Theophil von Hansen|Theophil Freiherr von Hansen]] and [[Ernst Ziller]], and include the [[Academy of Athens (modern)|Athens Academy]], [[Athens City Hall]], [[Hellenic Parliament|Greek Parliament]], [[Old Parliament House, Athens|Old Parliament]] (1875–1932) (Now the National Historical Museum),<ref>[http://www.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1761 Hellenic Ministry of Culture: The Old Parliament Building]{{dead link|date=June 2011}} – Retrieved 16 February 2007</ref> [[National and Kapodistrian University of Athens|University of Athens]], and [[Zappeion]] Hall.

Beginning in the 1930s, the [[International style (architecture)|International style]] and other architectural movements such as [[Bauhaus]] and [[Art Deco]] began to exert an influence on almost all Greek architects, and many buildings both public and private were constructed in accordance with these styles. Localities with a great number of such buildings include [[Kolonaki]], and some areas of the centre of the city; neighbourhoods developed in this period include [[Kypseli, Athens|Kypseli]].

In the 1950s and 1960s during the vast extension and development of Athens, modern architecture played a very important role. The centre of Athens was largely rebuilt, leading to the demolition of a number of neoclassical buildings. The architects of this era employed materials such as glass, marble and aluminium, while some blended modern and classical elements. After [[World War II]], internationally known architects to have designed and built in the city included [[Walter Gropius]], with his design for the US Embassy, and, amongst others, [[Eero Saarinen]], in his postwar design for the east terminal of the [[Ellinikon International Airport|Ellinikon Airport]].

Notable Greek architects of the 1930s–1960s included [[Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis|Konstantinos Doxiadis]], [[Dimitris Pikionis]], [[Pericles A. Sakellarios]], [[Aris Konstantinidis]] and others.

===Neighborhoods===
[[File:Athens - Mount Lycabettus - 20080729a.jpg|right|thumb|[[Mount Lycabettus]] at night.]]
The municipality of Athens, the city centre of the Athens Urban Area, is divided into several districts: [[Omonoia Square|Omonoia]], [[Syntagma Square|Syntagma]], [[Exarcheia]], Agios Nikolaos, Neapolis, [[Mount Lycabettus|Lykavittos]], Lofos Strefi, Lofos Finopoulou, Lofos Filopappou, [[Pedion tou Areos|Pedion Areos]], [[Metaxourgeio]], Aghios Kostantinos, Larissa Station, [[Kerameikos]], [[Psiri]], [[Monastiraki]], [[Gazi, Athens|Gazi]], [[Thiseio|Thission]], [[Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea|Kapnikarea]], Aghia Irini, Aerides, Anafiotika, [[Plaka]], [[Acropolis]], [[Pnyx|Pnyka]], Makrygianni, Lofos Ardittou, [[Zappeion]], Aghios Spyridon, [[Pangrati]]on, [[Kolonaki]], Dexameni, Evaggelismos, Gouva, Aghios Ioannis, [[Neos Kosmos, Athens|Neos Kosmos]], [[Koukaki]], Kynosargous, Fix, Ano Petralona, Kato Petralona, Rouf, [[Votanikos]], Profitis Daniil, [[Akadimia Platonos]], [[Colonus|Kolonos]], Kolokynthou, Attikis Square, Lofos Skouze, Sepolia, [[Kypseli, Athens|Kypseli]], Aghios Meletios, Nea Kypseli, Gyzi, Polygono, [[Ambelokipi, Athens|Ampelokipoi]], Panormou-Gerokomeio, Pentagono, Ellinorosson, [[Filothei|Kato Filothei]], Ano Kypseli, Tourkovounia-Lofos Patatsou, Lofos Elikonos, Koliatsou, Thymarakia, Kato Patisia, Treis Gefyres, Aghios Eleftherios, [[Ano Patissia|Ano Patisia]], Kypriadou, Prompona, Aghios Panteleimonas, [[Pangrati]], Goudi, Ilisia, [[Kaisariani]]
[[File:Omonoia Square at night, 2011..JPG|thumb|Omonoia Square at night.]]
[[File:Avdi Square 001.jpg|thumb|Avdi Square in [[Metaxourgeio]].]]
[[File:Plaka07.JPG|thumb|Street in [[Plaka]].]]
[[File:Athens1 tango7174.jpg|thumb|[[Syntagma Square]].]]
* '''Omonoia''', [[Omonoia Square]], ({{lang-el|Πλατεία Ομονοίας}}) is the oldest square in Athens. It is surrounded by hotels and fast food outlets, and contains a train station used by the [[Athens Metro]] and the Ilektrikos, appropriately named [[Omonoia station|Omonoia Station]]. The square often becomes the focus for celebration of sporting victories, as seen after the country's winning of the Euro 2004 and the Eurobasket 2005 tournaments.

* '''Metaxourgeio''' ({{lang-el|Μεταξουργείο}}) is a neighborhood of Athens, Greece. The neighborhood is located south of the historical centre of Athens, between Kolonos to the east and Kerameikos to the west, and north of Gazi. [[Metaxourgeio]] is frequently described as a transition neighborhood. After a long period of abandonment in the late 20th century, the area is acquiring a reputation as an artistic and fashionable neighborhood due to the opening of many art galleries, museums, and trendy restaurants and cafes.[1] Moreover, local efforts to beautify and invigorate the neighborhood have reinforced a budding sense of community and artistic expression. Anonymous art pieces containing quotes and sayings in both English and Ancient Greek have begun springing up throughout the neighborhood, containing statements such as "Art for arts sake" (Τεχνη τεχνης χαριν). [[Guerilla gardening]] has also helped to beautify this area, taking advantage of the ample sunshine in Greece.

* '''Psiri and Gazi''' – The reviving [[Psiri]] ({{lang-el|Ψυρρή}}) neighbourhood – a.k.a. Athens's "meat packing district" – is dotted with renovated former mansions, artists' spaces, and small gallery areas. A number of its renovated buildings also now host a wide variety of fashionable bars, making it a hotspot for the city in the last decade, while a number of live music restaurants known as "rebetadika", after [[rebetiko]], a unique form of music that blossomed in [[Syros]] and Athens from the 1920s until the 1960s, are also to be found. Rebetiko is admired by many, and as a result rebetadika are often crammed with people of all ages who will sing, dance and drink till dawn. The [[Gazi, Athens|Gazi]] ({{lang-el|Γκάζι}}) area, one of the latest in full redevelopment, is located around a historic gas factory, now converted into the ''[[Technopolis (Gazi)|Technopolis]]'' cultural multiplex, and also includes artists' areas, a number of small clubs, bars and restaurants, as well as Athens's nascent "[[Gay village|Gay Village]]". The metro's system recent expansion to the western suburbs of the city has brought easier access to the area since spring 2007, as the blue line now stops at Gazi ([[Kerameikos]] station).

* '''Syntagma''', [[Syntagma Square]], ({{lang-el|Σύνταγμα}}/Constitution Square), is the capital's central and [[List of city squares by size|largest square]], lying adjacent to the [[Hellenic Parliament|Greek Parliament]] (the former Royal Palace) and the city's most noted [[Grande Bretagne|hotels]]. Ermou Street, an approximately one kilometer-long pedestrian road connecting [[Syntagma Square]] to Monastiraki, has traditionally been a consumer paradise for both Athenians and tourists. Complete with fashion shops and [[shopping mall|shopping centres]] promoting most international brands, it now finds itself in the top 5 most expensive shopping streets in Europe, and the tenth most expensive retail street in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cushwake.com/cwglobal/jsp/newsDetail.jsp?repId=c7800055p&LanId=EN&LocId=GLOBAL |title=Cushman & Wakefield – Global real estate solutions – News & Events |publisher=Cushwake.com |date=25 October 2006 |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> Nearby, the renovated Army Fund building in Panepistimiou Street includes the "Attica" [[department store]] and several upmarket designer stores.

[[File:Temple of Hephaestus.jpg|thumb|The [[Temple of Hephaestus]] in the central district of [[Thiseio|Thission]].]]
* '''Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thission''' – [[Plaka]] ({{lang-el|Πλάκα}}), lying just beneath the [[Acropolis]], is famous for its plentiful [[neoclassical architecture]], making up one of the most scenic districts of the city. It remains a traditionally prime tourist destination with a number of picturesque [[taverna]]s, live performances and street salesmen. Nearby [[Monastiraki]] ({{lang-el|Μοναστηράκι}}), for its part, is well known for its string of small shops and markets, as well as its crowded [[flea market]] and tavernas specialising in [[souvlaki]]. Another district notably famous for its student-crammed, stylish cafés is [[Temple of Hephaestus|Theseum]] or Thission ({{lang-el|Θησείο}}), lying just west of Monastiraki. Thission is home to the ancient [[Temple of Hephaestus]], standing atop a small hill. This area also has a picturesque 11th Century Byzantine church, as well as a 15th Century Ottoman mosque.

* '''[[Exarcheia]]''' ({{lang-el|Εξάρχεια}}), located north of Kolonaki, has a mixed reputation as the recent or current location of the city's [[anarchism|anarchist]] scene and as a culturally active student quarter with many cafés, bars and bookshops. Exarcheia is home to the [[National Technical University of Athens|Athens Polytechnic]] and the [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]]; it also contains numerous important buildings of several 20th-century styles: [[Neoclassicism]], [[Art Deco]] and [[Modern architecture|Early Modernism]] (including [[Bauhaus]] influences).{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

* '''[[Kolonaki]]''' ({{lang-el|Κολωνάκι}}) is the area, at the base of [[Mount Lycabettus|Lycabettus hill]], is full of boutiques catering to well-heeled customers by day, and bars and more fashionable restaurants by night, but at other points also a wide range of art galleries and museums. This is often regarded as one of the more prestigious areas of the capital.
{{wide image|KOLONAKI PANO.jpg|550px|<center>Panoramic view of [[Kolonaki Square]].</center>.}}

===Suburbs===
[[File:Χολαργός 3 Greece.jpg|thumb|right|Typical neighbourhood in an Athens suburb (Cholargos)]]
The Athens Metropolitan Area consists of 58<ref name="statistics1"/> (excluding the Islands regional unit municipalities) densely populated municipalities, sprawling around the municipality of Athens (the city center) in virtually all directions. According to their geographic location in relation to the city of Athens, the suburbs are divided into four zones; the northern suburbs (including [[Ekali]], [[Nea Erythraia|Nea Erythrea]], [[Agios Stefanos, Attica|Agios Stefanos]], [[Drosia]], [[Dionysus|Dionysos]], [[Kryoneri, Attica|Kryoneri]], [[Kifissia]], [[Marousi|Maroussi]], [[Pefki]], [[Lykovrysi]], Heraklio, [[Glyka Nera]], [[Vrilissia]], [[Melissia]], [[Penteliko Mountain|Pendeli]], [[Chalandri|Halandri]], [[Agia Paraskevi|Aghia Paraskevi]], [[Psychiko]] and [[Filothei]]); the southern suburbs, (including [[Alimos|Kalamaki]], Nea Smirni, [[Agios Dimitrios]], [[Palaio Faliro]], [[Ellinikon|Elliniko]], [[Glyfada]],, [[Voula]] [[Argyroupoli]], [[Ilioupoli]] and the southernmost suburb of [[Vouliagmeni]]); the eastern suburbs, (including [[Acharnes]], [[Zografou]], [[Vyronas]], [[Kaisariani]], [[Cholargos]] and [[Papagou]]; and the western suburbs (including [[Peristeri]], [[Ilio, Greece|Ilion]], [[Egaleo]], [[Petroupoli]] and [[Nikaia, Attica|Nikaia]]).

The Athens city coastline, extending from the major commercial port of [[Piraeus]] to the southernmost suburb of [[Varkiza]] for some {{convert|25|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Greece_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace=Piraeus%20(Attiki)&toplace=Varkiza%20(Piraios%20Nomos)&fromlat=37.9474464019929&tolat=37.8185988001751&fromlng=23.6370849609375&tolng=23.7987041473389 |title=Distance between Piraeus (Attiki) and Varkiza (Piraios Nomos) (Greece) |publisher=Distancecalculator.globefeed.com |date=9 December 2007 |accessdate=9 June 2009}}</ref> is also connected to the city centre by a [[tram]].

In the northern suburb of Maroussi, the upgraded main [[Athens Olympic Sports Complex|Olympic Complex]] (known by its Greek acronym OAKA) dominates the skyline. The whole area has been redeveloped according to a design by the Spanish architect [[Santiago Calatrava]], with steel arches, landscaped gardens, fountains, futuristic glass, and a landmark new blue glass roof which was added to the main stadium. A second Olympic complex, next to the sea at the beach of [[Kallithea]] (Faliron), also features modern stadia, shops and an elevated esplanade. Work is underway to transform the grounds of the old Athens Airport – named [[Ellinikon International Airport|Hellinikon]] – in the southern suburbs, into one of the largest landscaped parks in Europe, to be named the [[Hellenikon Metropolitan Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minenv.gr/hellenikon-competition/oa/en/main.htm |work=Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and Public Works |title=Hellenikon Metropolitan Park Competition |accessdate=3 January 2007 |publisher=www.minenv.gr}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Many of the southern suburbs (such as [[Alimos]], [[Palaio Faliro]], [[Ellinikon|Elliniko]], [[Voula]], [[Vouliagmeni]] and [[Varkiza]]) host a number of sandy beaches, most of which are operated by the [[Greek National Tourism Organization|Greek National Tourism Organisation]] and require an entrance fee, which is not excessive in most cases. Casinos operate on both Mount Parnitha, some {{convert|25|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6252676.stm |title=Europe &#124; Greek forest fire close to Athens |publisher=BBC News |date=29 June 2007 |accessdate=9 June 2009}}</ref> from downtown Athens, (accessible by car or cable car) and the nearby town of [[Loutraki]] (accessible by car via the Athens – [[Corinth]] National Highway, or the suburban rail service [[Proastiakos]].
{{wide image|2009-02-19 Yachthafen Glyfada 03.jpg|550px|Coastline of [[Palaio Faliro]].}}

===Parks and Zoos===
[[File:National park of Athens1.JPG|thumb|right|190px|The entrance of the [[National Garden of Athens|National Gardens]], commissioned by [[Amalia of Oldenburg|Queen Amalia]] in 1838 and completed by 1840.]]
[[File:Nea Filadelfia lake.JPG|thumb|left|Artificial lake in the park of [[Nea Filadelfia]].]]
Parnitha National Park is punctuated by well-marked paths, gorges, springs, torrents and caves dotting the protected area. Hiking and mountain-biking in all four mountains remain popular outdoor activities for many residents of the city. The [[National Garden of Athens]] was completed in 1840 and is a green refuge of 15.5 hectares in the centre of the Greek capital. It is to be found between the Parliament and [[Zappeion]] buildings, the latter of which maintains its own garden of seven hectares.

Parts of the city centre have been redeveloped under a masterplan called the ''Unification of Archeological Sites of Athens'', which has also gathered funding from the EU to help enhance the project.<ref name=EUfund/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.astynet.gr/ |title=Eaxa :: Ενοποιηση Αρχαιολογικων Χωρων Αθηνασ Α.Ε |publisher=Astynet.gr |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> The landmark Dionysiou Aeropagitou street has been pedestrianised, forming a scenic route. The route starts from the [[Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens)|Temple of Olympian Zeus]] at Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, continues under the southern slopes of the Acropolis near [[Plaka]], and finishes just beyond the [[Temple of Hephaestus]] in [[Thiseio]]. The route in its entirety provides visitors with views of the [[Parthenon]] and the [[ancient Agora of Athens|Agora]] (the meeting point of ancient Athenians), away from the busy city centre.

The hills of Athens also provide green space. [[Mount Lycabettus|Lycabettus]], [[Philopappos Monument|Philopappos hill]] and the area around it, including [[Pnyx]] and [[Ardettos hill]], are planted with pines and other trees, with the character of a small forest rather than typical metropolitan parkland. Also to be found is the [[Pedion tou Areos]] (''Field of Mars'') of 27.7 hectares, near [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]].

The biggest zoo of the city is the [[Attica Zoological Park]], a 20-hectare (49-acre) private zoo located in the suburb of Spata. The zoo is home to about 2000 animals representing 400 species, and is open 365 days per year.
Smaller zoos exist within public gardens or parks, such as the zoo within the National Garden of Athens.

==Economy==
{{expand section|date=January 2012}}
Athens is the financial capital of Greece and as such many multinational companies such as [[Ericsson]], [[Siemens]], [[Motorola]] and [[Coca-Cola]] have their regional research and development headquarters there.

==Demographics==
[[File:Η Αθήνα από ψηλά.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Athens Urban Area within the ''Attica Basin'' from space]]
[[File:Population Density in Athens.PNG|thumb|250px|Athens population distribution]]

The municipality of Athens has an official Population of 655,780<ref name=population/> while along with the four regional units that make up what is referred to as ''Greater Athens'', had a combined population of 2,625,090. They together with the regional unit of Piraeus (''Greater Piraeus'') make up the dense [[urban area]] of Athens which reached a total population of 3,074,160 inhabitants in 2011.<ref name="statistics1"/>
The ancient site of Athens is centred on the rocky hill of the acropolis. In ancient times the port of [[Piraeus]] was a separate city, but it has now been absorbed into forming a part of the Athens Urban Area. The rapid expansion of the city (which continues even today) was initiated in the 1950s and 1960s, because of the transition of Greece from an agricultural to an [[Developed country|industrial nation]].<ref>[http://www.gto.gr/athens/athens/athens.html Greek Tourist Organizer] – Retrieved on 6 January 2007</ref> The expansion is now particularly toward the East and North East (a tendency greatly related to the new [[Athens International Airport|Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]] and the [[Attiki Odos]], the freeway that cuts across [[Attica]]). By this process Athens has engulfed many former suburbs and villages in Attica, and continues to do so. Throughout its long history, Athens has experienced many different population levels. The table below shows the historical population of Athens in recent times.

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! City population !! Urban population !! Metro population
|-
|1833 ||4,000<ref name=tung2>{{cite book |last=Tung |first=Anthony |year=2001 |title=Preserving the World's Great Cities:The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis |location=New York |publisher=Three Rivers Press |isbn=0-609-80815-X |pages=260, 263, 265 |chapter=The City of the Gods Besieged}}</ref> ||– ||–
|-
|1870 ||44,500<ref name=tung2/> ||– ||–
|-
|1896 ||123,000<ref name=tung2/> ||– ||–
|-
|1921 (Pre-Population exchange) ||473,000<ref name=tung/> ||– ||–
|-
|1921 ([[Population exchange between Greece and Turkey|Post-Population exchange]]) ||718,000<ref name=tung2/> ||– ||–
|-
|1971 ||867,023<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&dat=32&geo=-92&srt=2pnn&col=aohdq&pt=c&va=&geo=460748373 |title=World Gazetter City Pop:Athens |publisher=www.world-gazetter.com |accessdate=2011-06-16}}</ref> ||– ||–
|-
|1981 ||885,737 ||– ||–
|-
|1991 ||772,072 ||– ||3,444,358<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gpro&lng=en&dat=32&geo=460748373&srt=2pnn&col=aohdq&geo=-1048919 |title=World Gazetter Metro Pop:Athens |publisher=www.world-gazetter.com |accessdate=2011-06-16}}</ref>
|-
|2001 ||745,514<ref name=pop>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gr/Main_eng.asp |title=Population of Greece |work=General Secretariat Of National Statistical Service Of Greece |publisher=www.statistics.gr |accessdate=2 August 2007 |year=2001 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070701001022/http://www.statistics.gr/Main_eng.asp |archivedate=1 July 2007}}</ref> ||3,165,823<ref name=pop/> ||3,761,810<ref name=pop/>
|-
|2011 ||655,780 ||3,074,160 ||3,737,550<ref name="statistics1"/>
|}

===Details===
The large '''City Center''' of the Greek capital falls directly within the municipality of Athens, which is the largest in population size in [[Greece]]. [[Piraeus]] also forms a significant city centre on its own, within the Athens Urban Area and being the second largest in population size within it, with [[Peristeri]] and [[Kallithea]] following.

The '''Athens Urban Area''' today, consists of 40 municipalities, 35 of which make up, what is referred to as the ''Greater Athens municipalities'' located within 4 regional units (regional units of: [[North Athens (regional unit)|North Athens]], [[West Athens (regional unit)|West Athens]], [[Central Athens (regional unit)|Central Athens]], [[South Athens (regional unit)|South Athens]]); and a further 5, which make up the ''Greater Piraeus municipalities'', located within the [[Piraeus (regional unit)|regional unit of Piraeus]] as mentioned above. The densely built up [[urban area]] of the Greek capital sprawls across {{convert|412|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=area/> throughout the ''Attica Basin'' and has a total population of 3,074,160 (in 2011).

The '''Athens Metropolitan Area''' spans {{convert|2,928.717|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} within the [[Attica (region)|Attica]] region and includes a total of 58 municipalities, which are organized in 7 regional units (those outlined above, along with [[East Attica]] and [[West Attica]]), having reached a population of 3,737,550 in 2011.

==Culture and contemporary life==
{{Main|Culture of Greece}}
[[File:Athens Roman Agora 4-2004 3.JPG|thumb|left|View of the Roman Agora.]]
[[File:Athènes Acropole Caryatides.JPG|thumb|The porch of the [[Caryatid]]s at the [[Erechtheum]].]]
[[File:Tempio di Zeus Olimpo apr2005 01.jpg|thumb|The [[Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens)|Temple of Olympian Zeus]].]]
[[File:Philopappos monument.jpg|thumb|A close-up view of the [[Philopappos Monument]].]]

===Archaeological hub===
The city is one of the world's main centres of [[archaeology|archaeological research]]. Apart from national institutions, such as [[National and Kapodistrian University of Athens|Athens University]], the [[Archaeological Society of Athens|Archaeological Society]], several archaeological Museums (including the [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]], the [[Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art|Cycladic Museum]], the [[Epigraphy|Epigraphic]] Museum, the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] Museum, as well as museums at the ancient [[Ancient Agora of Athens|Agora]], [[Acropolis Museum|Acropolis]], and [[Kerameikos]]), the city is also home to the [[Democritus|Demokritos]] laboratory for [[Archaeological science|Archaeometry]] as well as several regional and national archaeological authorities that form part of the [[Minister for Culture (Greece)|Greek Department of Culture]]. Additionally, Athens hosts 17 [[List of Foreign Archaeological Institutes in Greece|Foreign Archaeological Institutes]] which promote and facilitate research by scholars from their respective home countries. As a result, Athens has more than a dozen archaeological libraries and three specialized archaeological laboratories, and is the venue of several hundred specialized lectures, conferences and seminars, as well as dozens of archaeological exhibitions, per year. At any given time, Athens is the (temporary) home to hundreds of international scholars and researchers in all disciplines of archaeology.

===Museums===
[[File:Acropolis Museum 2009.jpg|thumb|left|View of the [[Acropolis Museum]].]]
[[File:Nat arc mus ath 09.jpg|thumb|The [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]] in central Athens.]]
The most important museums of Athens include: The [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]], the largest archaeological museum in the country, and one of the most important internationally, as it contains a vast collection of antiquities; its artifacts cover a period of more than 5,000 years, from late [[Neolithic|Neolithic Age]] to [[Roman Greece]]; The [[Benaki Museum]] with its several branches for each of its collections including ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman-era and Chinese art and beyond; The [[Byzantine & Christian Museum|Byzantine and Christian Museum]], one of the most important museums of [[Byzantine art]]; The [[Numismatic Museum of Athens|Numismatic Museum]], housing a great collection of ancient and modern coins; The [[Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art|Museum of Cycladic Art]], home to an extensive collection of [[Cycladic art]], including the famous figurines made of white marble; and finally the [[Acropolis Museum|New Acropolis Museum]], opened in 2009, and replacing the old museum on the Acropolis. The new museum has proved considerably popular; almost one million people visited during the summer period June–October 2009 alone. A number of smaller and privately owned museums focused on Greek culture and arts are also to be found.

===Tourism===
Athens has been a popular destination for travellers since antiquity. Over the past decade, the city's infrastructure and social amenities have improved, in part due to its successful bid to stage the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Olympic Games]]. The Greek Government, aided by the [[European Union|EU]], has funded major infrastructure projects such as the state-of-the-art [[Athens International Airport|Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aia.gr/UserFiles/File/235956_Englishl.pdf |title=AIA: Finance |publisher=www.AIA.gr |work=Athens International Airport, S.A. |accessdate=5 April 2007}}</ref> the expansion of the [[Athens Metro]] system,<ref name=EUfund>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/themes/olympe/pages/focus_en.htm |title=Olympic Games 2004: five major projects for Athens |publisher=ec.europa.eu |work=European Union Regional Policy |accessdate=5 April 2007}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> and the new [[Attiki Odos]] Motorway.<ref name=EUfund/>

===Entertainment and performing arts===
[[File:Athens Olympics Sports Complex.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of [[Athens Olympic Sports Complex]].]]
[[File:105-odeon-atenas.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Odeon of Herodes Atticus]].]]
[[File:Show at the Athens Planetarium.jpg|thumb|Athens Planetarium is considered one of the largest and best equipped digital planetaria in the world.]]

Athens is home to 148 theatrical stages, more than any other city in the world, including the famous ancient [[Odeon of Herodes Atticus]], home to the [[Athens Festival]], which runs from May to October each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanaudit.org |title=Home Page |publisher=Urban Audit |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greekfestival.gr/?lang=en |title=Athens – Epidaurus Festival 2008 |publisher=Greekfestival.gr |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> In addition to a large number of multiplexes, Athens plays host to a variety of romantic, open air garden cinemas. The city also supports a vast number of music venues, including the [[Athens Concert Hall]] (''Megaron Moussikis''), which attracts world-famous artists all year round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megaron.gr/megaro/programeng/top.htm |title=Megaron Events Chart |publisher=Megaron.gr |date=26 October 1997 |accessdate=21 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> The Athens [[Planetarium]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr |title=Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου. Εκπαιδευτικό Κοινωφελές Ίδρυμα |language={{el icon}} |publisher=Eugenfound.edu.gr |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> located in [[Andrea Syngrou Avenue]] is one of the largest and best equipped digital planetaria in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=node&cnode=21 |title=ΙΔΡΥΜΑ ΕΥΓΕΝΙΔΟΥ 1954 / Ιστορικό |language={{el icon}} |publisher=Eugenfound.edu.gr |accessdate=25 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barco.com/reference/2484 |title=Athens Eugenides Planetarium|publisher=Barco|accessdate=2011-06-16}}</ref>

===Sports===
Athens has a long tradition in sports and sporting events, being home of the most important clubs in [[Sport in Greece|Greek sports]] and having a large number of sports facilities. The city has also served as a host of several sports events of international notability.

Athens has hosted the [[Summer Olympic Games]] twice, in [[1896 Summer Olympics|1896]] and [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004]]. The 2004 Summer Olympics required the development of the [[Olympic Stadium (Athens)|Athens Olympic Stadium]], which has since gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful stadia in the world, and one of its most interesting modern monuments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.athens-today.com/e-olimpica_stadio.htm |title=Athens 21st Century – Athens Olympic Stadium |accessdate=26 December 2008 |publisher=Athens-today.com}}</ref> The biggest stadium in the country, it has hosted two finals of the [[UEFA Champions League]], in [[1994 UEFA Champions League Final|1994]] and [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2007]]. The other major stadium of Athens, located in [[Piraeus]] area, is the [[Karaiskakis Stadium]], a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex, host of the [[1971 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|1971 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final]]. In 2004 Greece's national soccer team won the UEFA Cup Finals in Portugal. In the final tie they beat the host nation Portugal 1:0.

Athens has hosted the [[Euroleague Basketball|Euroleague]] final three times, the first in 1985 and second in [[FIBA European Championship 1992-93|1993]], both at the [[Peace and Friendship Stadium]], most known as SEF, one of the largest and most attractive indoor arenas in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.athens-today.com/e-olimpica_faliro.htm |title=Athens 21st Century – The Olympic Coastal Complex |accessdate=26 December 2008 |publisher=Athens-today.com}}</ref> and the third time in [[Euroleague 2006-07|2007]] at the [[Olympic Indoor Hall]]. A large number of events in other sports such as [[Track and field athletics|athletics]], [[volleyball]], [[water polo]] etc., has also been hosted in the capital's venues.

Athens is home to three prestigious European multi-sport clubs: [[Olympiacos CFP|Olympiacos]], [[Panathinaikos]], [[Athletic Union of Constantinople|AEK Athens]]. In [[Association football|football]], [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]] have dominated the domestic competitions, [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] made it to the [[1971 European Cup Final]], while [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] is the other member of the [[P.O.K.|big three]]. These clubs also have prominent [[basketball]] teams; [[Panathinaikos BC|Panathinaikos]] and [[Olympiacos B.C.|Olympiacos]] are among the top powers in European basketball, having won the [[Euroleague Basketball|Euroleague]] six times and once respectively, whilst [[AEK Athens B.C.|AEK Athens]] was the first Greek team to win a European trophy in any team sport. Other clubs with a great tradition in sport within Athens are [[Panionios]], [[Atromitos]], [[Panellinios G.S.|Panellinios]], [[Ethnikos Piraeus F.C.|Ethnikos Piraeus]] and [[Maroussi BC|Maroussi]]. Athenian clubs have also had significant domestic and international success in other sports. The Athens area encompasses a variety of [[terrain]], notably hills and mountains rising around the city, and the capital is the only major city in Europe to be bisected by a [[mountain range]]. Four mountain ranges extend into city boundaries and thousands of miles of trails criss-cross the city and neighbouring areas, providing exercise and wilderness access on [[hiking|foot]] and [[Mountain biking|bike]]. Beyond Athens and across the prefecture of Attica, a great variety of outdoor activities are available, including [[skiing]], [[rock climbing]], [[hang gliding]] and windsurfing. Numerous outdoor clubs serve these sports, including the Athens Chapter of the [[Sierra Club]], which leads over 4,000 outings annually in the area.

==Education==
[[File:Propylea-athens.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Propylaea'', part of the “Trilogy” of [[Theofil Hansen]], serves as the ceremony hall and rectory of the [[National and Kapodistrian University of Athens]].]]
[[File:National library of greece athens.jpg|thumb|The entrance of the [[National Library of Greece]].]]

Located on [[Panepistimiou Street]], the old campus of the [[National and Kapodistrian University of Athens|University of Athens]], the [[National Library of Greece|National Library]], and the [[Academy of Athens (modern)|Athens Academy]] form the "Athens Trilogy" built in the mid-19th century. Most of the university's workings have been moved to a much larger, modern campus located in the eastern suburb of [[Zografou]]. The second higher education institution in the city is the [[National Technical University of Athens|Athens Polytechnic School]], found in Patission Street. This was the location where on 17 November 1973, more than 13 students were killed and hundreds injured inside the university during the [[Athens Polytechnic uprising]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/25/newsid_2546000/2546297.stm |title=1973: Army deposes 'hated' Greek president |work=BBC News |accessdate=22 March 2009|date=25 November 1973}}</ref> against the [[Greek military junta of 1967-1974|military junta]] that ruled the nation from 21 April 1967 until [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|23 July 1974]]. Other prestigious universities that lie within Athens are the [[Athens University of Economics and Business]], the [[Panteion University]], the [[Agricultural University of Athens]] and the [[University of Piraeus]].

==Environment==
[[File:Athens recycling plateia-kotzia.JPG|thumb|left|Recycling machine in Athens.]]

By the late 1970s, the pollution of Athens had become so destructive that according to the then Greek [[Minister for Culture (Greece)|Minister of Culture]], Constantine Trypanis, "''...the carved details on the five the caryatids of the Erechtheum had seriously degenerated, while the face of the horseman on the Parthenon's west side was all but obliterated.''"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,918645,00.html |title=Acropolis: Threat of Destruction |publisher=Time.com |work=Time Magazine |date=31 January 1977 |accessdate=3 April 2007}}</ref> A series of strict measures taken by the authorities of the city throughout the 1990s resulted in the improvement of air quality; the appearance of smog (or ''nefos'' as the Athenians used to call it) has become less common.
Widespread measures taken by the Greek authorities throughout the 1990s have improved the quality of air over the Attica Basin. Nevertheless, air pollution still remains an issue for Athens, particularly during the hottest summer days. In late June 2007,<ref name=outraged>{{cite news |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/16/news/greece.php |title=As forest fires burn, suffocated Athens is outraged |first=Niki |last=Kitsantonis |date=16 July 2007 |accessdate=3 February 2008 |work=International Herald Tribune}}</ref> the [[Attica]] region experienced a number of [[2007 Greek forest fires|brush fires]],<ref name=outraged/> including a blaze that burned a significant portion of a large forested national park in [[Parnitha|Mount Parnitha]],<ref name=ypexode>{{cite press release |title=Συνέντευξη Τύπου Γ. Σουφλιά για την Πάρνηθα |publisher=Hellenic Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning, & Public Works |date=18 July 2007 |url=http://www.minenv.gr/download/2007-07-18.sinenteksi.typoy.Parnitha.doc |format=.doc |language=Greek |accessdate=15 January 2008 |quote=Συνολική καμένη έκταση πυρήνα Εθνικού Δρυμού Πάρνηθας: 15.723 (Σύνολο 38.000)}}</ref> considered critical to maintaining a better air quality in Athens all year round.<ref name=outraged/> Damage to the park has led to worries over a stalling in the improvement of air quality in the city.<ref name=outraged/>

The major waste management efforts undertaken in the last decade (particularly the plant built on the small island of Psytalia) have improved [[water quality]] in the Saronic Gulf, and the coastal waters of Athens are now accessible again to swimmers. In January 2007, Athens faced a waste management problem when its [[landfill]] near [[Ano Liosia]], an Athenian suburb, reached capacity.<ref name=overflow>{{cite news |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/819945/rot_sets_in_as_athenss_trash_problem_mounts/index.html |title=Rot sets in as Athens's trash problem mounts |date=30 January 2007 |accessdate=10 February 2008}}</ref> The crisis eased by mid-January when authorities began taking the garbage to a temporary landfill.<ref name=overflow/>

==Transport==
[[File:Bus at Athens Airport (line X95).jpg|thumb|Bus in Athens]]
[[File:20100124-Nomismatokopio station.jpg|right|thumb| Nomismatokopeio Athens Metro Station.]]
[[File:Syntagma Metro Station 3.jpg|thumb|[[Syntagma Metro Station Archaeological Collection|Exhibition]] of antiquities in the luxurious [[Syntagma Station]] of the [[Athens Metro]].]]

Athens is serviced by a variety of transportation means, forming the largest mass transit system of [[Greece]]. The [[Athens Mass Transit System]] in particular consists of a large bus fleet, a [[trolleybus]] fleet that mainly serves Athens's city center, the city's Metro, a [[commuter rail]] service<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.proastiakos.gr |title=Προαστιακός |publisher=Proastiakos.gr |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> and a [[tram]] network, connecting the southern suburbs to the city centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=192&category=learn&lang_id=1 |title=Tram Sa |publisher=Tramsa.gr |accessdate=5 January 2009}}</ref>

===Bus transport===

Ethel ({{lang-el|ΕΘΕΛ}}) (Etaireia Thermikon Leoforeion), or ''Thermal Bus Company'', is the main operator of buses in Athens. Its network consists of about 300 bus lines which span throughout the Athens Metropolitan Area,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 5 |accessdate=28 January 2007 |work=OASA |publisher=www.oasa.gr}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> with an operating staff of 5,327, and a fleet of 1,839 buses.<ref name=AB>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 6 |accessdate=28 January 2007 |work=OASA |publisher=www.oasa.gr}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> Of those 1,839 buses 416 run on [[compressed natural gas]],<ref name=AB/> making up the largest fleet of natural gas-powered buses in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=New, Post-Olympics Athens |url=http://www.minpress.gr/minpress/aboutbrandgreece_low-res-9-tatsiopoulos.pdf |accessdate=23 August 2008 |page=79 |author=Ilias Tatsiopoulos & Georgios Tziralis |work=www.minpress.gr |publisher=Secretariat General of Communication – Secretariat General of Information |format=PDF}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Besides being served by a fleet of natural-gas and [[diesel engine|diesel]] buses, the Athens Urban Area is also served by [[trolleybus]]es — or electric buses, as they are referred to in the name of the operating company. The network is operated by ''Electric Buses of the Athens and [[Piraeus|Pireaus]] Region'', or [[ILPAP]] ({{lang-el|ΗΛΠΑΠ}}) and consists of 22 lines with an operating staff of 1,137.<ref name=CD>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 11 |accessdate=28 January 2007 |work=OASA |publisher=www.oasa.gr}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> All of the 366 trolleybuses are equipped to enable them to run on diesel in case of [[power outage|power failure]].<ref name=CD/>

===Athens Metro===

{{Main|Athens Metro}}
The [[Athens Metro]] is more commonly known in Greece as the Attiko Metro ({{lang-el|Αττικό Mετρό}}) and provides public transport throughout the Athens Urban Area. While its main purpose is transport, it also houses Greek artifacts found during construction of the system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21103a/e211ca09.html |work=Hellenic Ministry of Culture |title=Athens Metro |accessdate=26 January 2007 |publisher=www.culture.gr |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061207072925/http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21103a/e211ca09.html |archivedate=7 December 2006}}</ref> The Athens Metro has an operating staff of 387 and runs two of the three metro lines; namely the Red (line 2) and Blue (line 3) lines, which were constructed largely during the 1990s, with the initial sections opened in January 2000. All routes currently run entirely underground and a fleet of 42 trains consisting of 252 cars operate within the network,<ref name=xyz>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15 |accessdate=4 February 2007 |work=OASA |publisher=www.oasa.gr}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> with a daily occupancy of 550,000 passengers.<ref name=xyz/>

'''The Red Line''' (line 2) runs from [[Aghios Antonios station|Aghios Antonios]] to [[Agios Dimitrios|Aghios Dimitrios]] and covers a distance of {{convert|11.6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=xyz/> Extensions are under construction at each end of the line, westwards to [[Piraeus]], and southwards to the [[Ellinikon International Airport|Old Hellinikon Airport East Terminal]] (the future [[Hellenikon Metropolitan Park|Metropolitan Park]]). The spring 2007 extension from Monastiraki westwards, to [[Egaleo]], connected some of the main [[Nightlife|night life]] hubs of the city, namely the ones of Gazi ([[Kerameikos]] station) with Psirri (Monastiraki station) and the city centre ([[Syntagma station]]).

'''The Blue Line''' (line 3) runs from the western suburbs, namely the [[Egaleo]] station, through the central [[Monastiraki]] and Syntagma stations to [[Doukissis Plakentias station|Doukissis Plakentias]] avenue in the northeastern suburb of [[Chalandri|Halandri]], covering a distance of {{convert|16|km|mi|0|abbr=on}},<ref name=xyz/> then ascending to ground level and reaching [[Athens International Airport|Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]], using the Suburban Railway infrastructure and extending its length to {{convert|39|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=xyz/> At the north-eastern end of the Blue Line three new stations are soon to be opened between [[Ethniki Amyna station|Ethniki Amyna]] and Halandri stations.

====Electric railway (ISAP)====
{{Main|ISAP}}
[[File:Metro Train in the Agora.jpg|thumb|An ISAP train (Green Line) passes by the [[Stoa of Attalos]] in central Athens.]]

Not run by the Athens Metro company, is the ISAP ({{lang-el|ΗΣΑΠ}}), the ''Electric Railway Company'' line, which for many years served as Athens's primary urban rail transport. This is today the '''Green Line''' (line 1) of the Athens Metro network as shown on maps, and unlike the red and blue lines, ISAP has many above-ground sections on its route. This was the original metro line from Piraeus to Kifisia; serving 22 stations,<ref name=isa/> with a network length of {{convert|25.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}},<ref name=isa>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 9 |accessdate=4 February 2007 |work=OASA |publisher=www.oasa.gr}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> an operating staff of 730 and a fleet of 44 trains and 243 cars.<ref name=isa/> ISAP's occupancy rate is 600,000 passengers daily.<ref name=isa/>

'''The Green Line''' (line 1) now serves 24 stations, and forms the oldest line of the Athens metro network and for the most part runs at ground level,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isap.gr/eng/page.asp?id=46 |title=ISAP – Athens Piraeus Electric Railways |publisher=Isap.gr |accessdate=9 June 2009}}</ref> connecting the port of [[Piraeus]] with the northern suburb of [[Kifissia]]. The line is set to be extended to Agios Stefanos, a suburb located {{convert|23|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} to the north of Athens, reaching to {{convert|36|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

Altogether the Athens Metropolitan Railway system is managed by three different companies; namely ISAP (line 1),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isap.gr |title=ΗΣΑΠ |publisher=Isap.gr |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> Attiko Metro (lines 2 & 3), while its commuter rail, the [[Proastiakos|Proastiakós]] is considered as line 4.

[[File:20070523-4124-NERATZIOTISA.jpg|thumb|left|Suburban Rail.]]

===Commuter/suburban rail (Proastiakos)===
{{Main|Proastiakos}}

The Athens commuter rail service, referred to as the "[[Proastiakos|Proastiakós]]", connects [[Athens International Airport|Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]] to the city of [[Corinth]], {{convert|80|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=proastiakos/> west of Athens, via Larissa station, the city's central rail station and the port of Piraeus. The service is sometimes considered the fourth line of the Athens Metro. The current length of Athens's commuter rail network extends to {{convert|120|km|mi|0|abbr=on}},<ref name=proastiakos>{{cite web|url=http://www.proastiakos.gr/en/?tid=3&aid=0 |title=Proastiakos |publisher=www.proastiakos.gr |accessdate=9 June 2009}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> and is expected to stretch to {{convert|281|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} by 2010.<ref name=proastiakos/> The Proastiakos will be extended to Xylokastro west of Athens and Chalkida.<ref name=proastiakos/>

[[File:Athens tram.JPG|thumb|right|[[Athens Tram]].]]
[[File:Athens airport tower 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport control tower.]]

===Tram===
{{Main|Athens Tram}}
[[Athens Tram SA]] operates a fleet of 35 vehicles,<ref name=athenstram>{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=207&category=learn&lang_id=1 |title=Tram Sa |publisher=Tramsa.gr |accessdate=25 October 2009}}</ref> which serve 48 stations,<ref name=athenstram/> employ 345 people with an average daily occupancy of 65,000 passengers.<ref name=athenstram/> The tram network spans a total length of {{convert|27|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} and covers ten Athenian suburbs.<ref name=athenstram/> This network runs from [[Syntagma Square]] to the southwestern suburb of [[Palaio Faliro]], where the line splits in two branches; the first runs along the Athens coastline toward the southern suburb of [[Voula]], while the other heads toward the [[Piraeus]] district of Neo Faliro. The network covers the majority of the Saronic coastline.<ref name=EF>{{cite web |url=http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf |title=Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 13 |accessdate=28 January 2007 |work=OASA |publisher=www.oasa.gr}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> Further extensions are planned towards the major commercial port of [[Piraeus]].<ref name=athenstram/> The expansion to Piraeus will include 12 new stations, increase the overall length of tram route by {{convert|5.4|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}, and increase the overall transportation network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=156&lang_id=1 |title=Tram Sa |publisher=Tramsa.gr |accessdate=25 October 2009}}</ref>

===Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport===
{{Main|Athens International Airport}}
Athens is served by the state-of-the-art [[Athens International Airport|Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]] (AIA) located near the town of [[Spata]], in the eastern Messoghia plain, some {{convert|35|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} east of Athens.<ref name=aia>{{cite web |url=http://www.aia.gr/contact.asp?langid=2 |title=Athens International Airport: Facts and Figures |accessdate=11 February 2007 |work=Athens International Airport |publisher=www.aia.gr}}</ref> The airport was awarded the "European Airport of the Year 2004" Award.<ref name=pro/> Intended as an expandable hub for air travel in [[Balkans|southeastern Europe]], it was constructed in a record 51 months costing 2.2 billion euros, and employs a staff of 14,000.<ref name=pro>{{cite web |url=http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageid=15&langid=2 |title=Athens International Airport: Airport Profile |accessdate=11 February 2007 |work=Athens International Airport |publisher=www.aia.gr}}</ref> The airport is served by the metro, the suburban rail, buses to Piraeus port, the city centre and suburbs, and also taxis. [[Eleftherios Venizelos]] accommodates 65 landings and take-offs per hour,<ref name=aia/> with its 24 passenger boarding bridges,<ref name=aia/> 144 check-in counters and broader {{convert|150000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} main terminal,<ref name=aia/> and a commercial area of {{convert|7000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} which includes cafes, [[duty-free shop]]s,<ref name=pro/> and a small museum. In 2007, the airport handled 16,538,390 passengers, an increase of 9.7% over the previous year of 2006.<ref name=airstats>{{cite web |url=http://www.aia.gr/UserFiles/File/4/163815_2007_Passengers_EN.pdf |title=Athens International Airport: Passenger Traffic Development 2007 |accessdate=6 February 2008 |work=Athens International Airport |publisher=}}</ref> Of those 16,538,390 passengers, 5,955,387 passed through the airport for domestic flights,<ref name=airstats/> and 10,583,003 passengers travelled through for international flights.<ref name=airstats/> Beyond the dimensions of its passenger capacity, AIA handled 205,294 total flights in 2007, or approximately 562 flights per day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aia.gr/UserFiles/File/4/163952_2007_Flights_EN.pdf |title=Athens International Airport: Air Traffic Movements Development 2007 |accessdate=6 February 2008 |work=Athens International Airport}}</ref>

===Railways and ferry connections===
Athens is the hub of the [[Hellenic Railways Organisation|country's national railway system]] (OSE), connecting the capital with major cities across Greece and abroad ([[Istanbul]], [[Sofia]], and [[Bucharest]]). Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, all international rail services were suspended indefinitely in 2011. The port of [[Piraeus]] connects Athens to the numerous [[List of islands of Greece|Greek islands]] of the [[Aegean Sea]], with frequent ferries departing during the summer; while also serving the numerous cruise ships that arrive annually.

===Motorways===
[[File:Attiki-odos1.jpg|thumb|right|Interchange at the [[Attiki Odos]] airport entrance.]]
{{Further|Highways in Greece}}
Two main motorways of Greece begin in Athens, namely the [[Motorway 1 (Greece)|A1]]/[[European route E75|E75]], which crosses through Athens's Urban Area from [[Piraeus]], heading north towards Greece's second largest city, [[Thessaloniki]]; and the [[Olympia Odos|A8]]/[[European route E94|E94]] heading west, towards [[Patras]], which incorporated the [[Greek National Road 8A|GR-8A]]. Before their completion much of the road traffic used the [[Greek National Road 1|GR-1]] and the [[Greek National Road 8|GR-8]].

Furthermore the metropolitan area of Athens is served by the state of the art motorway network of the [[Attiki Odos]] toll-motorway (code: [[Attiki Odos|A6]]). Its main section extends from the western industrial suburb of [[Eleusina|Elefsina]] all the way to the [[Athens International Airport]]; while two beltways, namely the Aigaleo Beltway (A65) and the Hymettus Beltway (A64) serve parts of western and eastern Athens respectively. The span of the Attiki Odos in all its length is {{convert|65|km|mi|0|abbr=on}},<ref>[http://www.aodos.gr/article.asp?catid=12069&tag=7275 Aodos.gr]{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> making it the largest metropolitan motorway network in all of [[Greece]].
*Motorways:
**'''[[Motorway 1 (Greece)|A1]]/[[European route E75|E75]] N''' ''([[Lamia (city)|Lamia]], [[Larissa]], [[Thessaloniki]], [[Republic of Macedonia]])''
**'''[[Olympia Odos|A8]]([[Greek National Road 8A|GR-8A]])/[[European route E94|E94]] W''' ''([[Eleusina|Elefsina]], [[Corinth]], [[Patras]])''
**'''[[Attiki Odos|A6]] W''' ''([[Eleusina|Elefsina]])'' '''E''' ''([[Athens International Airport|Airport]])''

*National Roads:
**'''[[Greek National Road 1|GR-1]] Ν''' ''([[Lamia (city)|Lamia]], [[Larissa]], [[Thessaloniki]])''
**'''[[Greek National Road 8|GR-8]] W''' ''([[Corinth]], [[Patras]])''
**'''[[Greek National Road 3|GR-3]] N''' ''([[Elefsina]], [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]], [[Larissa]])''

==Olympic Games==
[[File:Athens 1896 report cover.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Poster of [[1896 Summer Olympics]].]]

===1896 Summer Olympics===
{{Main|1896 Summer Olympics}}
[[File:Central Athens aerial view 1900.tif|thumb|right|300px|View of Zappeion, the Stadium and environs, 1900]]
[[File:Louis entering Kallimarmaron at the 1896 Athens Olympics.jpg|thumb|[[Spyridon Louis]] entering the [[Kallimarmaron Stadium]] at the end of the marathon.]]

1896 brought forth the revival of the modern Olympic Games, by Frenchman [[Pierre de Coubertin]]. Thanks to his efforts, Athens was awarded the first modern Olympic Games. In 1896, the city had an approximate population of 123,000<ref name=tung2/> and the event helped boost the city's international profile. Of the venues used for these Olympics, the [[Kallimarmaro]] Stadium, and [[Zappeion]] were most crucial. The Kallimarmaro is a replica of the ancient Athenian stadiums, and the only major stadium (in its capacity of 60,000) to be made entirely of white marble from Mount [[Penteli, Greece|Penteli]], the same material used for construction of the [[Parthenon]].

===1906 Summer Olympics===
{{Main|1906 Intercalated Games}}
The [[1906 Intercalated Games|1906 Summer Olympics]], or the 1906 Intercalated games, were held very successfully in Athens. The intercalated competitions were intermediate games to the internationally organized [[Olympic Games|Olympics]], and were meant to be organized in Greece every four years, between the main Olympics. This idea later lost support from the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]] and these games were discontinued.

[[File:Athens archery.jpg|thumb|left|Archery matches in [[Kallimarmaron Stadium]] during the 2004 Olympic Games.]]

===2004 Summer Olympics===
{{Main|2004 Summer Olympics}}
Athens was awarded the 2004 Summer Olympics on 5 September 1997 in [[Lausanne]], [[Switzerland]], after having lost a previous bid to host the [[1996 Summer Olympics]], to [[Atlanta]], United States.<ref name=oly/> It was to be the second time Athens would have the honour of hosting the games, following the inaugural event of 1896. After an unsuccessful bid in 1990, the 1997 bid was radically improved, including an appeal to Greece's Olympic history. In the last round of voting, Athens defeated Rome with 66 votes to 41.<ref name=oly/> Prior to this round, the cities of [[Buenos Aires]], [[Stockholm]] and [[Cape Town]] had already been eliminated from competition, having received fewer votes.<ref name=oly/>

[[File:Olympic flame at opening ceremony.jpg|thumb|The [[Olympic Flame]] at the opening ceremony of the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Olympic Games]], conceived by the avant-garde choreographer [[Dimitris Papaioannou]].]]

During the first three years of preparations, the [[International Olympic Committee]] had repeatedly expressed some concern over the speed of construction progress for some of the new Olympic venues. In 2000 the Organising Committee's president was replaced by [[Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki]], who was the president of the original Bidding Committee in 1997. From that point on, preparations continued at a highly accelerated, almost frenzied pace.

Although the heavy cost was criticized, estimated at $1.5 billion, as is usually the case with most Olympic cities, Athens was literally transformed into a more functional city that enjoys state-of-the-art technology both in transportation and in modern [[urban planning|urban development]].<ref name=olyy>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/08/29/closing.ceremony/ |title=Athens bids farewell to the Games |date=30 August 2004 |accessdate=29 March 2007 |work=CNN |publisher=CNN.com}}</ref> Some of the finest sporting venues in the world were created in the city, all of which were fully ready for the games. The games welcomed over 10,000 athletes from all 202 countries.<ref name=olyy/>

The 2004 Games were judged a huge success, as both security and organization were exceptionally good, and only a few visitors reported minor problems mainly concerning accommodation issues. The 2004 Olympic Games were described as ''Unforgettable, dream Games'', by IOC President [[Jacques Rogge]] for their return to the birthplace of the Olympics, and for superbly meeting the challenges of holding the Olympic Games.<ref name=olyy/> The only observable problem was a somewhat sparse attendance of some early events. Eventually, however, a total of more than 3.5 million tickets were sold, which was higher than any other Olympics with the exception of [[Sydney]] (more than 5 million tickets were sold there in 2000).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.greekembassy.org/embassy/content/en/Article.aspx?office=3&folder=200&article=13956 |date=27 August 2004 |accessdate=30 March 2007 |title=Olympic ticket sales officially top 3.5-million mark |publisher=Embassy of Greece |author=Athens News Agency}}</ref>

In 2008 it was reported that almost all of the Olympic venues had fallen into varying states of disrepair: according to those reports, 21 of the 22 facilities built for the games had either been left abandoned or are in a state of dereliction, with several [[squatting|squatter]] camps having sprung up around certain facilities, and a number of venues afflicted by [[vandalism]], graffiti or strewn with rubbish.<ref name=malone>{{cite news |last=Malone |first=Andrew |title=Abandoned, derelict, covered in graffiti and rubbish: what is left of Athens's £9billion Olympic 'glory' |publisher=The Daily Mail |date=18 July 2008 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1036373/Abandoned-derelict-covered-graffiti-rubbish-What-left-Athens-9billion-Olympic-glory.html |accessdate=25 August 2008|location=London}}</ref><ref name=yahoo08>{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Martin |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news;_ylt=AjpTiz9CDw7_QtyFTlFMB0uVTZd4?slug=ro-beijinglegacy082408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |title=Beijing trumps Athens... and then some |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref><ref name=csm>{{cite web|last=Itano |first=Nicole |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0721/p04s01-wogn.html |title=As Olympic Glow Fades, Athens Questions $15 Billion Cost |publisher=Csmonitor.com |date=21 July 2008 |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref> These claims, however, are disputed and likely to be inaccurate, as most of the facilities used for the [[2004 Summer Olympics|Athens Olympics]] are either in use or in the process of being converted for post-Olympics use. The Greek Government has created a corporation, Olympic Properties SA, which is overseeing the post-Olympics management, development and conversion of these facilities, some of which will be sold off (or have already been sold off) to the private sector,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/features/after-the-party-what-happens-when-the-olympics-leave-town-901629.html |title=After The Party: What happens when the Olympics leave town |publisher=Independent.co.uk |date=19 August 2008|accessdate=21 March 2009|location=London}}</ref> while other facilities are still in use just as during the Olympics, or have been converted for commercial use or modified for other sports.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jul 30, 2008 |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jAognIFQaNRhGk_sG9fHJQHVXuHw |title=Four years after Athens Greeks have Olympics blues |publisher=Afp.google.com |date=30 July 2008 |accessdate=21 March 2009}}</ref>

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Greece}}

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Athens is [[twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
{|class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[Athens, Georgia]], United States
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Barcelona]], Spain (1999)<ref name="Barcelona">{{cite web|url=http://w3.bcn.es/XMLServeis/XMLHomeLinkPl/0,4022,229724149_257215678_1,00.html|title=Barcelona internacional – Ciutats agermanades|publisher=© 2006–2009 [http://www.bcn.es/catala/copyright/welcome2.htm Ajuntament de Barcelona]|language=Spanish|accessdate=13 July 2009}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Beijing]], People's Republic of China (2005)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/ |title=Beijing Sister Cities |accessdate=3 January 2007 |work=City of Beijing |publisher=www.ebeijing.gov.cn}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Beirut]], Lebanon<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beirut.gov.lb/MCMSTest/Menu-Pages/SisterCitiesEN.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fwww%2ebeirut%2egov%2elb%2fMCMSEN%2fTwinning%2bthe%2bCities%2f&NRNODEGUID=%7b18839037-0140-436E-A1AF-7F8F3693C3E6%7d&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest# |title=Twinnings of the city |accessdate=25 January 2008 |work=City of Beirut |publisher=www.beirut.gov.lb}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Palestine}} [[Bethlehem]], [[Palestinian Authority]] (1986)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.twinningwithpalestine.net/groupsinternational.html |title=Twinning with Palestine |work=Twinning With Palestine |accessdate=26 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="BethlehemTwinning">{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/Twining.php |title=::Bethlehem Municipality:: |publisher=www.bethlehem-city.org |accessdate=10 October 2009}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Bucharest]], Romania<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ase.ro/engleza/life_bucharest/history.asp |title=Academy of Economic Studies – Short History of Bucharest |accessdate=1 August 2008 |work=Bucharest University of Economics}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chicago]], United States (1997)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagosistercities.com/index.php |title=Chicago Sister Cities |accessdate=3 January 2007 |work=City of Chicago |publisher=www.chicagosistercities.com}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Peru}} [[Cusco]], Peru (1991)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.municusco.gob.pe/ver.php?id=6 |title=Ciudades Hermanas |language=Spanish |work=Municipalidad del Cusco |publisher=www.municusco.gob.pe |accessdate=25 January 2008}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Istanbul]], Turkey<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=94185 |publisher=Radikal |language=Turkish |date=3 November 2003 |title=İstanbul'a 49 kardeş |last=Erdem |first=Selim Efe |accessdate=25 January 2008 |work=Radikal}}</ref>
||
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Los Angeles]], United States (1984)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lacity.org/sistercities/ |title=Los Angeles Sister Cities |accessdate=3 January 2007 |work=City of Los Angeles |publisher=www.lacity.org}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Moscow]], Russia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mos.ru/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3izECfXQHMPIwODQFMTAyMXFwNnFydvYwN3I6B8pFm8AQ7gaEBAdzjIPtwqDAwg8njM9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEANg5rCU!/dl2/d1/L3dJVkkvd0xNQUJrQUVrQSEhL1lCcHhKRjFOQUEhIS82XzZUQkVRN0gyMDBRNTQwMkREMENEQkszMDA1LzdfNlRCRVE3SDIwMFE1NDAyREQwQ0RCSzMwODc!?nID=6_6TBEQ7H200Q5402DD0CDBK30G2&cID=6_6TBEQ7H200Q5402DD0CDBK30G2&documentId=102289#7_6TBEQ7H200Q5402DD0CDBK3087 |title=Moscow International Relations |month=June|year=2007 |accessdate=31 July 2008 |work=Moscow City Government}}{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Naples]], Italy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/5931 |title=Gemellaggi |language=Italian |work=Comune di Napoli |accessdate=1 September 2008}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Nicosia]], Cyprus (1988)<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicosia:Twin Cities |url=http://www.nicosia.org.cy/english/lefkosia_twins_athens.shtm |accessdate=25 January 2008 |work=Nicosia Municipality |publisher=www.nicosia.org.cy}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Seoul]], South Korea (2006)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/cooper/coo_02sis.html |title=International Cooperation: Sister Cities |accessdate=26 January 2008 |work=Seoul Metropolitan Government |publisher=www.seoul.go.kr |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071210175055/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/cooper/coo_02sis.html |archivedate=10 December 2007}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Albania}} [[Tirana]], Albania<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/International%20Relations.pdf |title=Twinning Cities: International Relations |accessdate=25 January 2008 |work=Municipality of Tirana |publisher=www.tirana.gov.al}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Washington, D.C.]], United States (2000)<ref>{{cite web |title=Protocol and International Affairs: Sister-City Agreements |url=http://os.dc.gov/os/cwp/view,a,1206,q,522336.asp#sister |accessdate=25 January 2008 |work=District of Columbia |publisher=os.dc.gov}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ARM}} [[Yerevan]], Armenia (1993)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=athina&lang=eng |title=International Cooperation: Sister Cities: Athens |accessdate=26 January 2008 |work=Yerevan Municipality |publisher=www.yerevan.am}}</ref>
|}{{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Ljubljana]], Slovenia|}

===Partnerships===
{|class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Belgrade]], Serbia (1966)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beograd.rs/cms/view.php?id=1225698 |title=International Cooperation |accessdate=26 January 2008 |work=Grad Beograd |publisher=www.beograd.rs}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Paris]], France (2000)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.v1.paris.fr/EN/city_government/international/special_partners.asp |title=International: Special partners |work=Mairie de Paris |publisher=www.paris.fr |accessdate=26 January 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Santiago de Cali]], Colombia
|}

==Other locations named after Athens==
{{colbegin|colwidth=30em}}
; {{flagicon|United States}} United States:
*[[Athens, Alabama]] (pop. 24,234)
*[[Athens, Arkansas]]<ref>The population of the unincorporated communities below is not mentioned here</ref>
*[[Athens, California]]
*[[West Athens, California]] (pop. 9,101)
*[[Athens, Georgia]] (pop. 114,983)
*[[Athens, Illinois]] (pop. 1,726)
*[[New Athens, Illinois]] (pop. 2,620)
*[[New Athens Township, St. Clair County, Illinois]] (pop. 2,620)
*[[Athens, Indiana]]
*[[Athens, Kentucky]]
*[[Athens, Louisiana]] (pop. 262)
*[[Athens Township, Jewell County, Kansas]] (pop. 74)
*[[Athens, Maine]] (pop. 847)
*[[Athens, Michigan]] (pop. 1,111)
*[[Athens Township, Michigan]] (pop. 2,571)
*[[Athens, Minnesota]]
*[[Athens Township, Minnesota]] (pop. 2,322)
*[[Athens, Mississippi]]
*[[Athens (town), New York]] (pop. 3,991)
*[[Athens (village), New York]] (pop. 1,695)
*[[Athens, Ohio]] (pop. 21,909)
*[[Athens County, Ohio]] (pop. 62,223)
*[[Athens Township, Athens County, Ohio]] (pop. 27,714)
*[[Athens Township, Harrison County, Ohio]] (pop. 520)
*[[New Athens, Ohio]] (pop. 342)
*[[Athena, Oregon]] (pop. 1270)
*[[Athens, Pennsylvania]] (pop. 3,415)
*[[Athens Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania]] (pop. 5,058)
*[[Athens Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania]] (pop. 775)
*[[Athens, Tennessee]] (pop. 13,220)
*[[Athens, Texas]] (pop. 11,297)
*[[Athens, Vermont]] (pop. 340)
*[[Athens, West Virginia]] (pop. 1,102)
*[[Athens, Wisconsin]] (pop. 1,095)
; {{flagicon|Canada}} Canada:
*[[Athens Township, Ontario]] (pop. 3,086)
; {{flagicon|Costa Rica}} Costa Rica:
*[[Atenas]] (pop. 7,716)
*[[Atenas Canton]] (pop. 23,743)
; {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany:
*[[Athenstedt]], [[Saxony-Anhalt]] (pop. 431)
; {{flagicon|Ukraine}} Ukraine:
*[[Afini]] (Zoria – Зоря), [[Donetsk]]
{{colend}}

==See also==
{{colbegin|3}}
*[[Parthenon]]
*[[Acropolis of Athens]]
*[[Classical Greece]]
*[[2004 Summer Olympics]]
*[[1896 Summer Olympics]]
*[[Eurovision Song Contest 2006]]
*[[Ancient Greece|Hellenic civilization]]
*[[Large Cities Climate Leadership Group]]
*[[List of museums in Greece]]
*[[Panteion University|Panteion University of Athens]]
*[[Politics of Greece]]
*[[Hellenic Parliament]]
*[[Peloponnesian War]]
*[[Age of Pericles]]
*[[Greco-Persian Wars]]
*[[Democracy]]
*[[National Library of Greece]]
*[[Athens University]]
*[[Academy of Athens (modern)|Academy of Athens]]
*[[National Archaeological Museum, Athens]]
*[[National Technical University of Athens]]
*[[Agricultural University of Athens]]
*[[Athens University of Economics and Business]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks}}
;Official
*[http://www.cityofathens.gr/en/ Cityofathens.gr] – City of Athens official website
*[http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/athens Athens] The Official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation

;Historical
*[http://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/En/index.aspx EIE.gr] – Page on Archaeology of the City of Athens in the National Hellenic Research Foundation website
*[http://rg.ancients.info/owls/ Rg.ancients.info/owls] – Athenian Owl Coins Through the Ages
*[http://www.kronoskaf.com/vr/ Kronoskaf.com] – Simulation of Athens in 421 BC
*[http://www.athens-museums.com/ Athens Museums Information] - Complete guide with pictures, visitor comments & reviews

;Travel
*[http://www.oasa.gr/?lang=en Athens Urban Transport Organisation]
*[http://www.athens.ukgo.com/ City of Athens Guide]
*[http://www.athens24.com/ Online Athens Guide with news and events]

;Visual
*[http://s3.mindbrix.co.uk/Zoomable/Athens%20Panorama/index.html Zoomable Athens Panorama]
*[http://www.thisisathens.org/default.php?pname=Home&la=1#&la=1 Athens PhotoStream]
*[http://www.vimeo.com/12079928 Timelapse video of Athens] Timelapse showing various parts of Athens in the Attica region
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rfrumbao/sets/72157627268623809/ Athens 1973]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre=Athens
|North=[[Galatsi]] and [[Filothei]]
|Northeast=[[Neo Psychiko]] and [[Papagou]]
|East=[[Zografou]] and [[Vyronas]]
|Southeast=
|South=[[Dafni, Attica|Dafni]] and [[Nea Smyrni]]
|Southwest=[[Kallithea|Kalithea]]
|West=[[Egaleo|Aigaleo]] and [[Tavros]]
|Northwest=[[Peristeri]]
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Government
|list=
{{Athens}}
{{Prefectural capitals of Greece}}
{{Capitals of Peripheries of Greece}}
{{Kallikratis-Attica}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union}}
}}
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|title=Culture & History
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{{Landmarks in Athens}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}}

[[Category:Athens| ]]<!--leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Populated places in Central Athens (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek cities]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Greece]]
[[Category:City-states]]
[[Category:Greek prefectural capitals]]
[[Category:Greek regional capitals]]
[[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 3rd millennium BC]]
[[Category:Tourism in Greece]]
[[Category:Ancient mints]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Greece]]
[[Category:Populated places in Ancient Greece]]
[[Category:Requests for audio pronunciation (Greek)]]
[[Category:European Capitals of Culture]]
[[Category:Roman sites in Greece]]

{{Link GA|zh}}
<!-- The below are interlanguage links. -->
[[lez:Афинаяр]]
[[vep:Afinad]]

[[af:Athene]]
[[als:Athen]]
[[am:አቴና]]
[[ang:Athēnas]]
[[ar:أثينا]]
[[an:Atenas]]
[[arc:ܐܬܢܘܣ]]
[[roa-rup:Athina]]
[[frp:Atèna]]
[[ast:Atenes]]
[[gn:Atena]]
[[az:Afina]]
[[bn:অ্যাথেন্স]]
[[zh-min-nan:Athína]]
[[be:Горад Афіны]]
[[be-x-old:Атэны]]
[[bg:Атина]]
[[bar:Athen]]
[[bo:ཨ་ཐེན།]]
[[bs:Atina (grad)]]
[[br:Aten]]
[[ca:Atenes]]
[[cv:Афин]]
[[ceb:Atenas]]
[[cs:Athény]]
[[co:Atene]]
[[cy:Athen]]
[[da:Athen]]
[[de:Athen]]
[[et:Ateena]]
[[el:Αθήνα]]
[[es:Atenas]]
[[eo:Ateno]]
[[ext:Atenas]]
[[eu:Atenas]]
[[fa:آتن]]
[[hif:Athens]]
[[fo:Athen]]
[[fr:Athènes]]
[[fy:Atene]]
[[ga:An Aithin]]
[[gv:Yn Atheen]]
[[gd:An Àithne]]
[[gl:Atenas - Αθήνα]]
[[gan:雅典]]
[[ko:아테네]]
[[haw:‘Akenai]]
[[hy:Աթենք]]
[[hi:एथेंस]]
[[hsb:Atheny]]
[[hr:Atena (grad)]]
[[io:Athina]]
[[id:Athena (kota)]]
[[ia:Athenas]]
[[ie:Athina]]
[[os:Афинæтæ]]
[[zu:I-Athene]]
[[is:Aþena]]
[[it:Atene]]
[[he:אתונה]]
[[jv:Aténa]]
[[kn:ಅಥೆನ್ಸ್]]
[[krc:Афинле]]
[[ka:ათენი]]
[[kk:Афина]]
[[kw:Athína]]
[[sw:Athens]]
[[kv:Афинъяс]]
[[ht:Atèn]]
[[ku:Atîna]]
[[lad:Atina]]
[[la:Athenae]]
[[lv:Atēnas]]
[[lb:Athen]]
[[lt:Atėnai]]
[[lij:Aten]]
[[li:Athene (stad)]]
[[ln:Atenis]]
[[jbo:atenas]]
[[lmo:Atene]]
[[hu:Athén]]
[[mk:Атина]]
[[ml:ഏതൻസ്‌]]
[[mt:Ateni]]
[[mi:Ātene]]
[[mr:अथेन्स]]
[[arz:اتينا]]
[[ms:Athens]]
[[mwl:Atenas]]
[[mdf:Афитт]]
[[mn:Афин]]
[[my:အေသင်မြို့]]
[[nah:Atēna]]
[[nl:Athene (stad)]]
[[new:एथेन्स]]
[[ja:アテネ]]
[[frr:Athen]]
[[no:Athen]]
[[nn:Aten]]
[[nov:Atena]]
[[oc:Atenas]]
[[pnb:ایتھنز]]
[[pms:Atene]]
[[nds:Athen]]
[[pl:Ateny]]
[[pnt:Αθήνα]]
[[pt:Atenas]]
[[crh:Atina]]
[[ro:Atena]]
[[qu:Athina]]
[[rue:Атены]]
[[ru:Афины]]
[[sah:Атина]]
[[se:Athena]]
[[sc:Atene]]
[[sco:Athens]]
[[stq:Athene]]
[[sq:Athina]]
[[scn:Atini]]
[[simple:Athens]]
[[sk:Atény]]
[[sl:Atene]]
[[cu:Аѳинꙑ]]
[[szl:Atyny]]
[[ckb:ئەسینا]]
[[sr:Атина]]
[[sh:Atena]]
[[fi:Ateena]]
[[sv:Aten]]
[[tl:Atenas]]
[[ta:ஏதென்ஸ்]]
[[roa-tara:Atene]]
[[tt:Афиннар]]
[[te:ఏథెన్స్]]
[[th:เอเธนส์]]
[[tr:Atina]]
[[tk:Afiny]]
[[tw:Athens]]
[[udm:Афины]]
[[uk:Афіни]]
[[ur:ایتھنز]]
[[ug:ئافېنا]]
[[vec:Atene]]
[[vi:Athena]]
[[vo:Atina]]
[[fiu-vro:Ateena]]
[[wa:Atene]]
[[war:Atenas]]
[[wo:Aten]]
[[yi:אטען]]
[[yo:Áténì]]
[[zh-yue:雅典]]
[[diq:Atêna]]
[[zea:Athene]]
[[bat-smg:Atienā]]
[[zh:雅典]]

Revision as of 14:12, 20 April 2012

dick heads rule

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