Comprised of four regional units, Athens is the capital of Greece with a population of 3,737,550 (based on 2011 figures), ranking it 4^th most populous capital in the European Union. It is the largest city in the country and one of the oldest in the world, with a recorded history dating back 3400 years. With its age-old heritage and past revealing astounding achievements, Athens today is the focus of economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece, a renowned tourist destination and source for knowledge of ancient times. 

The city bears its name in tribute of its protector-goddess Athena, who, according to an old myth, bested Poseidon in a competition to earn the honor of becoming patron to the land. Two gifts were offered – naval power, presented as a saltwater spring by the son of Zeus, and an olive tree, created by Athena to symbolize peace and prosperity. The choice of the city is present even today, as the olive branch is a famous symbol of peace and victory, selected to be present in the city seal. 

The urban area of Athens is the most populous in Greece. Its territory is made up of several districts, each with its own history and characteristics, among which most notable is the Acropolis – ‘high city’ in the center of Athens, where marble buildings of altars and temples were built in ancient times and still crown the city. At the foot of the Acropolis stands Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thissio, all of which preserve ruins from the city’s Roman era. Omonia and Exarheia house students and the celebrated National Archeological Museum.

The Hellenic Parliament – the parliament of Greece is located in central Athens, overlooking the Syntagma Square (English: Constitution Square). It bears its name since 1843, when King Otto was obliged to grant a constitution after a popular and military uprising. This square is socially the most important, being a focus of commercial activity during the nineteenth century. Many protests and demonstrations, especially in recent years, have happened on this place. 

One fact that makes Athens a unique place is that the origins of democracy as we know it can be traced back to the ancient history of this very city. 500 years BC Athenians, led by Cleisthenes, gave people with the citizen status control of the entire political process and public business. It was in the Greek capital where this form of government was established first and where it allowed freedoms never before seen in the world. 

Another historical fact is that western ancient philosophy became at one point concentrated in Athens. One theory to explain why shows the main reason being none other but the established form of government at that time – democracy. The schools of debate, where people of the city paid to visit and participate in discussions, sharing concepts and beliefs, solving problems through logic, were highly valued by society. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are Key figures that shaped this complicated ancient study. 

History and myth intertwine within the halls of the most famous site in Athens – the Acropolis. Along with the medieval Daphni Monastery, this stone citadel overlooks the city from a high outcrop above the cityscape. It houses several ancient buildings among which the Parthenon and other temples and altars and due to its high significance has earned the title of being ‘The Acropolis’ without qualification, although there are many other acropoleis in Greece. 

Athens also houses museums of great international importance, among which are: the National Archaeological Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the country containing a vast collection of antiquities that make it one of the most important internationally; the Benaki Museum with its several branches for each of its collections including ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman-era, and even Chinese art; the Byzantine and Christian Museum, one of the most important museums of valuable Byzantine art; and New Acropolis Museum, opened since 2009, replacing the old museum on the Acropolis, which has won several awards since then. 

To further spark tourist interest in the city, there are also a booming number of 148 theater stages, more than any other city in the world and the famous Athens festival from May to October each year, which includes many musical, theatrical, and other cultural events. The city supports music venues, such as the Athens Concert Hall, which attracts world-class artists. There is also the Athens Planetarium, regarded as one of the largest and most well-equipped digital planetariums in the world.   

The Greek capital is regarded as a world center of archeological research. It hosts 17 Foreign Archeological Institutes that facilitate and promote research by scholars from their home countries and has more than a dozen archeological libraries and three archeological laboratories. Each year Athens becomes the venue of several hundred different lectures, seminars, and conferences, as well as dozens of archaeological exhibitions. At any given time, hundreds of international scholars and researchers in all disciplines of archaeology are to be found in the city.

Athens, as well as much of Greece, has earned a reputation for hot weather. The city has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, causing prolonged dry summers and mild, wet winters. Temperatures almost never reach lower than 5 degrees Celsius, even during winter months. July and August are the driest months, known for their notorious heat waves with temperatures of 35 and above degrees Celsius, with parts of the city measured even hotter due to industrialization and the urban heat island effect. 

Did you know? ..... 10 Interesting Facts about Athens

1. Athens is the birthplace of the theatre.
2. Throughout its history, Athens has implemented every type of government known to man.
3. Athens holds the record for the highest temperature measured in Europe - 48 degrees Celsius.
4. The city is the oldest capital of Europe and one of the oldest in the world.
5. During excavation for a subway, workers found the archaeological remains dating from the Neolithic era, including coins, pottery, water supply pipes and even a mass grave.
6. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens.
7. The capital of Greece is also regarded as the first cultural capital of Europe.
8. The origins of democracy can be traced back to the city-state of Athens.
9. The Athens seal portrays the profile of Athena, surrounded by olive branches – both symbols tied to the mythology of Ancient Greece.
10. Over 40% of the Greek population lives in Athens.