Athens: Epitome of History
Capital of Greece is known as Athens. It is a historical city where the Western civilization has come into existence. It is the place from where the artistic ideas of different civilizations have been originated. It is situated 8 km away from the Bay of Phaleron. In the western half of the region, the river Kifisos flows, and the river Ilisós flows through the eastern half. The port of this historical city is Piraeus. Greater Athens is surrounded by mountains namely Parnis, Pentelicus, Hymettos and Aigaleon which proves that land is infertile.
Population and climate of the city:
The population of the city Athens is 655,780 as recorded in 2004 has an area of 39sqkm. But the Greater Athens and Piraeus, which extends an area of 412sqkm, has a population of near about 3,0,74,160 in 2011. Large Urban Zone is considered to be the 4th most populated city of European Union. Ancient monuments, artistic work represents the heritage of the classical era, which is now also evident in this city.
The climate of this city is mild where the winter is extremely rare. The minimum temperature is 0 degree Celsius where the remaining of snow is not often. While the summers are unusually dry having maximum temperature of 37 degree Celsius. But the nights of summer is remarkably soothing and remains cool. Sometimes north westerly winds blow during the daytime in summers.
Religion and Athenian education:
Greek Orthodox Church and Christianity are the main religions among the majority of the people. Greek Orthodox Church has maintained the role of keeping the Greek nation during the rule of Ottoman Empire and also played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence. Other religions of this city besides these are Catholicism, Islam, Hellenic Neopaganism, and Protestantism. The main purpose seen in Athenian education is to make the students capable of thinking. Athenian people are truly well trained in the subjects of arts and science. They also prepare the people for peace and war. In Athenian schools, it is mandatory for students to learn the national epic poems like Odyssey and Homer’s Iliad. Athenian girls are not officially allowed for taking education from schools. They are provided with domestic educations.
Economy and transportation:
Some of the prestigious manufacturing industries of this city are cotton mills, distilleries, pottery, flour mills, soap industries, chemical works and carpet industries. Athens being the primary manufacturing city of Greece, it has export business on bauxite, wine, cement, olive oil and tomato products.
This city has the use of transport vehicle like trucks, buses, and cars. The Metropolitan Transit system of this city includes an electric railway which runs underground within proper Athens and connects Piraeus in north and Kifisia in south. Larissa is the most famous railway station which connects the other part of the country with the city.
Places for Tourist attraction:
The most significant archaeological sites are Acropolis, Athenian Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Plato’s academy site, Olympian Zeus Temple and many more. Besides these, the other neighborhood places of Athens are Omonoia, Metaxourgeio, Psiri and Gazi, Syntagma, Plaka, Thission and Exarcheia.
Historically Athens holds many prominent heritages of Greek Civilization. It is not only an epitome of beauty, but it also incorporates modern cultures and developments which indeed make this city attractive in every aspect.