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Athens

Capital of GreeceAthens spreads across the central plain of Attica, a peninsula that juts into the Aegean Sea. Four mountains surround the city, and the Saronic Gulf lies to the southwest.

Why it's the capital

Athens was a leading city of ancient Greece and is often called the birthplace of democracy. After Greece won independence, Athens replaced Nafplio as the capital in 1834, mostly for historical reasons, even though war had left it a small town.

Fun facts

  1. An old myth says Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, competed with Poseidon, god of the seas, to become the city's protector.
  2. The Parthenon temple stands on the Acropolis, a rocky hill above the city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  3. In 1896, Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games.

Finding it on the globe

Athens is the southernmost capital on the European mainland. Aim near the southern end of the Greek mainland, at the triangle-shaped Attica peninsula pointing into the Aegean Sea.

Sources: Wikipedia: Athens, Wikipedia: Attica, Wikipedia: Acropolis of Athens