Athens, the capital of Greece is the largest city in Greece. It is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a population of 3.3 million. It is one of the leading business centers and an important part of the European Union. It is the birthplace of many famous personalities like Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles. If you want to know more about Athens, scroll down and read the following:

Athens lies between the Mediterranean and Alpine climatic zones. The city generally has a Mediterranean climate. Precipitation occurs mainly between October and April whereas in the summer months the precipitation is very less. Snowfall also occurs in city but they do not cause any severe problem or harm to the people. Spring and autumn are considered to be the best season or the best time to visit the city. This is the time which is recommended to the tourists to visit the city or the country as a whole. The average temperature of Athens lies between 32 degrees to 38 degrees. Thus the temperature normally remains pleasant in the city.

The capital city of Greece, Athens, lies is the central plain of Attica which is also referred as Attica Basin. This region is surrounded by Mount Aegaleo in the west, Mount Parintha in the north, Mount Pentili in the north east, Mount Hymettus in the east and Saronic Gulf in the south west. In the recent times, Athens has expanded as well. Lying within the Attica basin, Athens has 7 districts. It is again divided into municipality and metropolitan. The municipality has a population of 745,514 and has an area of 38.964 km square whereas the metropolitan has a population of 3,758,000 and an area of 411.717 km square.

The delicacies or cuisines of Athens are similar to that of Greece. The main ingredients of the delicacies of Athens include wheat, barley, tomato, eggplant, potato, green beans, okra, green peppers, and onions. Olive oil and honey are the most ancient element which is used in the cuisines of Athens. There are various dishes in Athens which are world famous. The famous appetizers include Boureki, deep fried vegetables or mushrooms, Dolmades, Fava, Greek Salad, Horta, Kolokythoanthoi, Koukkia, Lachanosalata, Marides taiganites, Melitzanosalata, Pantzarosalata, Patata Salata, Saganaki, Skordalia, Spanakopita, Taramosalata, Tzatziki, and Tyropita.

All these appetizers are collectively known as Meze. These are generally served with wine or ouzo. Athens is also famous for a large number of soups. Fasolada, Fakes, Revithia, Magiritsa, Psarosoupa, Avgolemono, Trahana, Patsas, Bourou-Bourou are some of the famous variety of soups available in Athens. Not only this, a large number of vegetable dishes are also found here. Some of them include Aginares A La Polita, Arakas Me Aginares, Bamies, Fasolakia freska, Gigantes beans, Lachanodolmades, Spanakorizo, and Yemista. A large number of meat dishes as well as desserts and sweets are also found here. Some of the famous meat dishes are Baked lamb, Bekri Meze, Giovetski, Grilled lamb chops, grilled octopus in vinegar, Gyros, Kleftiko, Kleftedes, Kotopoulo, Moussaka, Pastitsio, Pork with celery, Soutzoukakia Symrneika, Souvlaki, Spetsofai, and Stifado. Among the desserts and sweets you can try Baklava, Loukoumades, Karidopita, Vasilopita, Tsoureki, Koulourakia, Kourabiedes, Melomakarona, Loukoumi, Halvadopites, Spoon sweets etc. Athens is also famous for various kinds of drinks and they include Wine, Beer, Ouzo, Tsipouro, Retsina, Mavrodafni, Metaxa, Greek Coffee, and Greek frappe coffee.

Government:

Athens is the capital city of Greece and it is the main seat of Government in the country. Speaking of the government of Athens we have to speak of the Athens municipality. Athens is divided into 55 municipalities. It follows a political system of democracy. Presently the mayor of Athens is Mrs. Dora Bakoyanni. Other than this, Greece also follows democracy and the head of the government is the Prime Minister and the head of the state is the President. The President is elected for a 5 years term. Executive powers lie with the Prime Minister whereas all the ceremonial powers lie with the President. The legislative powers are given to the government as well as in the hands of Hellenic Parliament. The judiciary is independent in Greece. There are three Supreme Courts in Greece- Court of Cassation, the Council of State and the Court of Auditors. The legislature in Greece is elected through the universal suffrage. The voting age for all citizens is 18 years.

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