152089

Introduction to The City of Athens, Greece

Athens Capital of Greece

Athens (Greek: Αθήνα) is the capital and largest city of the Hellenic Republic, located at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, with a subtropical Mediterranean climate. As of 2018, the population of Athens was 3.774 million. With a total area of ​​412km², it is the eighth largest city in Europe and one of the European Union’s commercial centers.

Athens has a recorded history of more than 3,000 years and is known as the “cradle of Western civilization”. Athens is also the birthplace of European philosophy, which has had a significant impact on European and world culture. A large number of historical greats such as Socrates and Plato were born, and it is known as the birthplace of democracy. Athens still retains many historical sites and a large number of works of art, the most famous of which is the Parthenon on the Acropolis, which is regarded as a symbol of Western culture. The cultural and political achievements of the 5th and 4th centuries BC had a major impact on European and world culture.

Athens is the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, having hosted the first Summer Olympic Games in 1896 and the 28th Summer Olympic Games in 2004. On December 26, 2019, it ranked 89th in the 2019 Global Top 500 Cities List.

History

Athens is one of the oldest cities in Europe and even the entire world, with a history dating back more than 3,000 years. In 1000 BC, Athens became the core city of ancient Greece. From the late 9th century BC to the early 8th century BC, Athens had luxurious tombs of nobles, and iron and bronze production also developed rapidly, reaching the level of the establishment of city-states, early slave states. Solon was the first consul of the Athenian city-state, and Pisistratus was his successor. During their reign, Athenian industry and commerce developed significantly. The 5th century BC became the cradle of Western culture.

In 492 BC, the Hippo War broke out, and Persia was defeated in several major battles. It was not until 449 BC that the two parties concluded a peace treaty, and the war ended. In June 431 BC, the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta broke out, which lasted for more than 20 years and ended in the defeat of Athens.

Medieval Athens began to decline and was revived during the Byzantine Empire. During the jihad, Athens prospered due to trade with Italy. During the Ottoman Empire, Athens declined again. In the 19th century, Athens became the capital of independent Greece. In the 1920s, due to the outbreak of war, a large number of refugees from Turkey Anatolia poured into Athens, which also swelled the population of Athens. About half of the Greek population lives in Athens.

Location Realm

Athens is located in southeastern Greece, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of ​​39km² in the city and 412km² in the suburbs. The geographic center coordinates are located at 38°02′ north latitude and 23°44′ east longitude, in the time zone: UTC/GMT+2 hours (East Zone 2).

Topography

Athens is located in the central plain of Attica, surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side. To the southwest is the Gulf of San Ronique, to the southwest is the Falilong Bay of the Aegean Sea, 8 kilometers to the southwest, to the west is Mount Aigario, to the north is Mount Panisa, to the northeast is Mount Pentry, and to the east is Mount Imitos.

Climate

Athens is located at the junction of the Mediterranean climate zone and the alpine climate zone, with a mild climate and a typical Mediterranean climate. The winters are warm and humid, the summers are drier and sunny, with a maximum temperature (July) of 18-41°C and a minimum temperature (January) of 0-18°C. There are occasional heat waves between July and August each year, with maximum temperatures exceeding 38°C. On June 27, 2007, Athens reached its highest temperature ever recorded, 46.2°C, or 115.1°F. During the February 2004 snowstorm, the minimum temperature observed by the Athens Observatory was -10.1°C.

Due to its location in the rain shadow, Athens is very dry compared to other cities with a Mediterranean climate. Athens snows almost every winter, and spring and autumn are ideal seasons for sightseeing and hosting a variety of outdoor activities. From mid-October to mid-April every year, there is a lot of precipitation, usually heavy rain or thunderstorms. The hilly areas of the northern suburbs have a slightly different climate, with cooler winters and relatively more snowfall. Fog is less common in the city center, but more in the area around Mount Imitos to the east.

Hydrology

The Kifissos and Ilyssos flow through the city through Athens.