Capital: Athens
Population: 3.761.810 (2001) It includes the provinces of Athens, Piraeus, East and Western Attica.
Main areas are:Agia Paraskevi, Agii Anargiri, Athens, Alimos, Anixi, Varkiza, Voula, Glyfada, Kallithea, Kifissia, Neo Psihiko, Skaramagas, Holargos and others. Athens is where Democracy was born and the city where great men of science and philosophy lived and gave their lights to the rest of the world. It is also one of the cities that created Greek Civilization.
The capital of Greece is a European city. It is overpopulated and most of the year suffers from the smog. Athens took its name by thee goddess of wisdom Athena.
Nightlife is great here especially in the center. You can also have a great time on one of the well-organized beaches, which are only 4 km. away from Athens. Of course there are Greek shops and international firms to make sure you will find whatever you please. The visitor must go up to the rock of Acropolis to see the unique architectural structures that were built between 447 and 438 B.C. The nation's trademark the Parthenon also stands there. You should visit also, the Parliament, where the kings of Greece used to reside. It now houses the Greek parliament since 1933 and it is situated at the constitution square. The National gardens are also very close. You can go up Lycabetus hill where there are many restaurants, cafes and shops.
The Panathenean stadium has great importance as the first modern Olympic Games were held there in 1896. You can visit Monastiraki which is full of little shops with Greek artifacts, Plaka with its old neoclassical houses and narrow streets full of little cafes and restaurants, taverns and bars. Of course there is the National Archaeological museum and the National Gallery of Art.
Two of the richest areas of Athens are Ekali and Kifissia. A walk among the beautiful houses and villas can be extremely rewarding. Atheneans have welcomed the Metro in their lives, which also connects with older lines to cover the whole of Attica.
Province of Piraeus Main areas are: Drapetsona, Keratsini, Korydalos, Mikrolimano, Pasalimani, Piraeus and others.
Piraeus is famous for its harbor, which as well as the city stands where the ancient harbor was operating. It connects Athens with all the islands and with other countries and is the greatest naval center of Greece and whole of the Mediterranean.
As a city it is full of life with great commerce and industry. Nightlife is also very vibrant. Beyond the harbor is the breathtaking area of Kastella with its little natural harbors like Mikroloimano, Pasalimani and others. There are high-class bistros bars and restaurants here and also small clubs.
In Piraeus has its bas and the most popular soccer team in Greece, Olympiakos which was founded in 1925. The team's history has become one with Piraeus and it is known to have the warmest blooded fans than any other team. It is worth mentioning that Olympiakos fans are the 60 per cent of all the soccer fans in Greece.
Province of Eastern and western Attica
Main areas are: Anavissos, Elefsina, Lavrio, Marathonas, Parnitha, Sounio, Spata and others.
All the above areas are of great beauty and great holidaying resorts.
Elefsina is very important for its distilleries. Marathonas is known from ancient times since it is there that the Greeks fought the Persians in 490 B.C.
Spata are known world wide since the Athens international airport is situated there. It moved there recently from the area of Elliniko and it is considered the most advanced airport in Europe.
Rafina is another harbor from where ships take passengers to the islands. Also Loutsa and Portorafti are popular with Athenians who spend their vacations there.
There are great mountainous areas in the province like Penteli and Parnitha. Also ancient ruins like the temple of Poseidon in Sounio are abundant.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF ATHENS PROVINCE
(Calling code for Greece 0030)
Urban buses of Athens 210 8836076-80 Information Town buses of Athens 185 Athens Trolley 210 2583300-6 Suburban Buses (Information) 142 Athens Train (electric railway) 210 3248311-7 Athens Underground 210 6792399 Suburban Train ĪSE (Information) 210 5297777
Piraeus Police Station 210 4122501, 4111711 Piraeus Police of Tourists 210 4290664-5 Piraeus Traffic Police 210 4113832
Piraeus Central Mitropolis 210 4514930 Tzaneio Hospital 210 4519411 Piraues General Public Hospital 210 4915061 Metaxa's Hospital 210 4518411 Greek Tourism Organization 210 4135716 Piraeus Port Organization 210 4520911
Piraeus Port Authority 210 4511311-9 Marina's Zeas 210 4284100 Piraeus Radio-Taxi 210 4287400-3 Urban transportation 185 Piraeus Historical data file 210 4194587 Public Art Gallery 210 4194585 Public Library 210 4194191 Archaeological Museum 210 4521598 Navy Museum 210 4516264
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF EASTERN & WESTERN ATTICA
(Calling code for Greece 0030)
Peania Police Station 210 6642390 Megara Health Center 22960 22222-6 Megara Police Station 22960 22100 Megara Traffic Polce 22960 81405 Spata Health Center 210 6634501-5 Spata Police Station 210 6632231, 6632771
Airport Police in Spata 210 6635140, 6635142 Marathona Police Station 22940 67100 Porto-Rafti Port Authority 22990 71205 Rafina Port Authority 22940 28888 Rafina Tourist Information 22940 55270
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