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Athens | PLACE

 

Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: /a'θina/) is the capital and largest city of Greece and the birthplace of democracy. Named after goddess Athena, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world with a recorded history of at least 3,000 years. Today, the Greek capital is a bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis with an urban population of 3.1 million people and a metro population of 3.7 million people. The Athens metropolitan area is the centre of economic, financial, industrial, cultural and political life in Greece. The city is also rapidly becoming a leading business centre in the European Union. The city proper has a land area of 39 km² while the urban agglomeration of Athens spans 412 km².

Read the full background at Wikipedia

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Consumers are reflected in a shop window as they look for winter sale items in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes are being planned nationwide.

CloseCaption
Consumers are reflected in a shop window as they look for winter sale items in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes are being planned nationwide.

AP 

People look the exchange rates in a bank in central Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Europe's currency union faces an unprecedented crisis as markets and the euro currency have tumbled in recent weeks _ with the euro trading at an eight-month low against the U.S. dollar _ on worries that Greece might need financial rescue to cope with its soaring debt and deficit.

CloseCaption
People look the exchange rates in a bank in central Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Europe's currency union faces an unprecedented crisis as markets and the euro currency have tumbled in recent weeks _ with the euro trading at an eight-month low against the U.S. dollar _ on worries that Greece might need financial rescue to cope with its soaring debt and deficit.

AP 

A pedestrian walks outside a worksite in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

CloseCaption
A pedestrian walks outside a worksite in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

AP 

A worksite is seen in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reforms Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

CloseCaption
A worksite is seen in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reforms Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

AP 

Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

CloseCaption
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

AP 

Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

CloseCaption
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

AP 

Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

CloseCaption
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

AP 

Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

CloseCaption
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

AP 

Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

CloseCaption
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

AP 

ATHENS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 06: A man waits for a connecting flight at Athens airport on February 6, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Flights were disrupted across Greece due to heavy rain.

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ATHENS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 06: A man waits for a connecting flight at Athens airport on February 6, 2010 in Athens, Greece. Flights were disrupted across Greece due to heavy rain.

Getty Images 

Greek surveyors work above the pediment of the ancient Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Athens, on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. The surveyors are checking the alignment of marble blocks as part of ongoing conservation and restoration work on the 2,500-year-old building. The massive project on the ancient citadel is expected to last for at least another decade.

CloseCaption
Greek surveyors work above the pediment of the ancient Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Athens, on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. The surveyors are checking the alignment of marble blocks as part of ongoing conservation and restoration work on the 2,500-year-old building. The massive project on the ancient citadel is expected to last for at least another decade.

AP 

Elderly Greeks wait in line for food being handed out as part of a Carnival season celebration by the City of Athens, outside the Greek capital's main meat and vegetable market, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Organizers of the even said four times more food had been handed out at this year's annual open barbecue, in response to the country's acute debt crisis that has left many lower-income Greeks hard hit.

CloseCaption
Elderly Greeks wait in line for food being handed out as part of a Carnival season celebration by the City of Athens, outside the Greek capital's main meat and vegetable market, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Organizers of the even said four times more food had been handed out at this year's annual open barbecue, in response to the country's acute debt crisis that has left many lower-income Greeks hard hit.

AP 

Lines of new cars are seen at a customs depot at the main port of Piraeus, near Athens, during a strike in the port of Piraeus, near Athens on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Greek customs and tax officials have begun a 48-hour strike over government plans to reduce some of their bonuses. The cuts are part of an austerity program designed to lift Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.

CloseCaption
Lines of new cars are seen at a customs depot at the main port of Piraeus, near Athens, during a strike in the port of Piraeus, near Athens on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Greek customs and tax officials have begun a 48-hour strike over government plans to reduce some of their bonuses. The cuts are part of an austerity program designed to lift Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.

AP 

Freight containers are lined up during a strike in the port of Piraeus, near Athens on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Greek customs and tax officials have begun a 48-hour strike over government plans to reduce some of their bonuses. The cuts are part of an austerity program designed to lift Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.

CloseCaption
Freight containers are lined up during a strike in the port of Piraeus, near Athens on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Greek customs and tax officials have begun a 48-hour strike over government plans to reduce some of their bonuses. The cuts are part of an austerity program designed to lift Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.

AP 

Lines of new cars are seen at a customs depot at the main port of Piraeus, near Athens, during a strike in the port of Piraeus, near Athens on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Greek customs and tax officials have begun a 48-hour strike over government plans to reduce some of their bonuses. The cuts are part of an austerity program designed to lift Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.

CloseCaption
Lines of new cars are seen at a customs depot at the main port of Piraeus, near Athens, during a strike in the port of Piraeus, near Athens on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Greek customs and tax officials have begun a 48-hour strike over government plans to reduce some of their bonuses. The cuts are part of an austerity program designed to lift Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.

AP 

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, pose for the photographers outside the premier's office in Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Bartholomew is on a four-day visit in Greece.

CloseCaption
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, pose for the photographers outside the premier's office in Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Bartholomew is on a four-day visit in Greece.

AP 

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, talk outside the premier's office in Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Bartholomew is on a four-day visit in Greece.

CloseCaption
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, talk outside the premier's office in Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Bartholomew is on a four-day visit in Greece.

AP 

Karolos Papoulias looks on during a visit by a parliamentary delegation which formally announced his re-election by the lawmakers' assembly, in Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Papoulias, 80, was re-elected to a second five-year term with 266 votes in favor in the 300-member parliament.

CloseCaption
Karolos Papoulias looks on during a visit by a parliamentary delegation which formally announced his re-election by the lawmakers' assembly, in Athens on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Papoulias, 80, was re-elected to a second five-year term with 266 votes in favor in the 300-member parliament.

AP 

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle makes statements with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Westerwelle expressed Germany's support for Greek fiscal reforms. Greece will follow its fiscal rescue plan "to the letter", Papandreou promised earlier Tuesday in response to European Union plans to tightly monitor Athens' performance and possibly demand more cutbacks.

CloseCaption
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle makes statements with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Westerwelle expressed Germany's support for Greek fiscal reforms. Greece will follow its fiscal rescue plan "to the letter", Papandreou promised earlier Tuesday in response to European Union plans to tightly monitor Athens' performance and possibly demand more cutbacks.

AP 

The Finance Ministry is seen in central Athens as a newspaper headline in the foreground reads "Zero hour for (fiscal) measures" on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue _ and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

CloseCaption
The Finance Ministry is seen in central Athens as a newspaper headline in the foreground reads "Zero hour for (fiscal) measures" on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue _ and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

AP 

Launch Gallery0 of 0

"When Europe was created, they created solidarity funds for new entrants, but not for the euro members. This is what is needed now"


Joseph Stiglitz Feb 10 2010 8:27 AM from EUobserver.com

"Our primary duty is to save the economy and to reduce debt while seeking just solutions that protect as much as possible those on lower incomes and the middle class"


George Papandreou Feb 10 2010 8:07 AM from Deutsche Welle

"The EU doesn't have a structure and a set of people who can do what the IMF does. And the IMF, for all its faults, is quite good at getting agreements and then getting people to stick to agreements"


Simon Johnson Feb 10 2010 6:35 AM from EurActive.com

"We expect and we are confident that the Greek government will take all the decisions that will permit them to reach that goal"


Jean-Claude Trichet Feb 09 2010 10:14 AM from TheNewsTribune.com
  of  

Consumers are reflected in a shop window as they look for winter sale items in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes are being planned nationwide.

CloseCaption
Consumers are reflected in a shop window as they look for winter sale items in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes are being planned nationwide.

AP 

People look the exchange rates in a bank in central Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Europe's currency union faces an unprecedented crisis as markets and the euro currency have tumbled in recent weeks _ with the euro trading at an eight-month low against the U.S. dollar _ on worries that Greece might need financial rescue to cope with its soaring debt and deficit.

CloseCaption
People look the exchange rates in a bank in central Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Europe's currency union faces an unprecedented crisis as markets and the euro currency have tumbled in recent weeks _ with the euro trading at an eight-month low against the U.S. dollar _ on worries that Greece might need financial rescue to cope with its soaring debt and deficit.

AP 

A pedestrian walks outside a worksite in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

CloseCaption
A pedestrian walks outside a worksite in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reform Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

AP 

A worksite is seen in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reforms Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

CloseCaption
A worksite is seen in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Greece's government was tackling the thorny issue of pension and wage reforms Tuesday, part of its plan to fight a debt crisis that has alarmed global markets, even as strikes were being planned nationwide.

AP 

Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

CloseCaption
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou addresses the media during a press conference in Athens on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Greece took further steps Tuesday to calm global markets spooked by its debt crisis, pledging to increase retirement ages, accelerate reforms and overhaul its ineffective tax system, on the eve of the first nationwide strike against new austerity measures.

AP 

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