Attica is ... Geographical location, natural conditions, population

Attica is one of the historical regions of Greece, possessing a rich history, which is confirmed by a multitude of archaeological finds and historical monuments. And the geographical position of the region makes it one of the most attractive for tourism and recreation.

Geographical position

Attica attracts not only its history and natural attractions. This is the land on which ancient legends and myths still live. The territory where Attica is located is located in the southeastern part of Greece and is washed on three sides by the waters of the Aegean Sea Gulfs: Saronikos from the south, Petalii from the east, and Notios-Evvoikos from the north-east. In the north, it borders on one of the regions of Central Greece - Beotia, and in the west - with the Peloponessus. Attica also includes the islands of the Saronic Gulf. The relief of the land is mostly mountainous, especially in the north, gradually falling to the south. The Kieferon and Parnet mountains, which are a natural border with Central Greece, stretch their spurs throughout the region. They represent a rocky mountain ridge, only in the higher part covered with coniferous forest. The largest of the spurs of Parnet are Pentelikon and Gimett. The lower spurs of Kieferon going to the south are called Kerata, and the south-eastern branch merges with Parnassus over 1400 meters in height and forms a mountain region reaching to the sea. On the southern edge of this region is Mount Lavry, which ends at the southernmost point of the peninsula - Cape Sounion.

Plains and rivers

Between the mountain ranges are valleys with stony soil. The largest plains in Attica are three:

• The Athenian plain is bounded from the north by Mount Parnet, from the north-east by the Pentelikon chain, and from the southeast by the Gimette mountains;
• The Triassic plain, the most level, stretches to the north to Kieferon and Parnet, and from the east the spurs of Parnet are separated from the Athenian valley;
• The valley between Gimetta and the chain of mountains in the east is the hilly one;
• Wide coasts were formed at the expense of the alluvial lands, of which the largest is the Marathon plain, and the other is near the mouth of Asop.

Attica is one of the most arid regions of the country. There are no large rivers that could be used for irrigation. The most significant of them are:

• The largest river of Attica - Kefiss, flowing along the Athenian valley, it originates at the foot of Pentelikon and flows in a southwesterly direction, but most of the water is spent on irrigation of the arid plain;
• Another Ilissus River flows out of the footsteps of Gimetta, but is soon lost in the sands.
• Another stream of Enoi flows through the Marathon plain.

The shores of Attica are riddled with many picturesque and convenient bays for seafaring, which resulted in the development of navigation. Currently, these cozy coves and bays thanks to the warm climate are a favorite vacation spot for surfers and divers, and the coastline is filled with magnificent sandy beaches.

Climatic conditions

The mild subtropical climate of Attica is characterized by a long dry summer and a short wet winter. The average summer air temperature is 26-28 degrees, however in July and August the temperature can reach 38 degrees. Due to low humidity, heat is transferred quite easily. The swimming season lasts from April to October. In winter, the air temperature ranges from five to ten degrees of heat, but there is little rain. Such a moderate climate can be explained by the influence of air currents coming from the Mediterranean Sea - in the winter winds blow, and in the summer - cool winds from the northeast. There is no strong heat and winter cold of continental Europe.

Soil and natural resources

The natural conditions of Attica did not allow the cultivation of grain here. Because of the stony soils and the lack of moisture, the valleys were of little use for agriculture, but even the ancient authors wrote that although there is no bread on this land, it will feed more people than if it grew there. This will be due to the abundance of the magnificent stone for the construction of temples and altars, as well as the presence of silver, which is here at the behest of the gods. And for the ships of Attica is a land that has reliable piers where they can hide from the weather.

Attica Marble

The Attica Mountains consist of limestone and slate, as well as magnificent marble, the extraction of which began at the turn of 3-2 millennium BC. Ancient Greek temples, which were originally built of limestone, began to be built from marble, which was mined on Pentelikon. From it the Parthenon was built. Pentelijsky marble differs the pure white color and fine-grained. It also miraculously shines through the sunlight, but eventually turns yellow. In the construction of the Acropolis used and Piraeus marble of dark tones. Attica still produced Elevsinsky marble of almost black color, fine-grained Gimet marble. This material was highly valued and exported from Greece to Ancient Rome, where it was used in architecture and sculpture. In the reddish rocks of the Lavrion mountains there were silver-rich mines, and the Gimetta mountain range was a source of excellent honey.

Pottery and Agriculture

Especially appreciated reddish clay of Attica, it was of good quality and convenient in work, so pottery was well developed. Clay was made amphorae - large jugs with a narrow neck and handles, in which stored and transported wine, olive oil. The clay was also used for the production of shingles, pipes, barrels and many other household items.

Thanks to the mild winter, dry summer and abundant sun on the plains of Attica, olive and fig trees always grew well, vineyards were grown on mountain slopes, so wine, olives, olive oil, figs were always the main products of agriculture and were exported. Attic wool in ancient times enjoyed great popularity, it is famous even now. In the mountains are bred sheep, goats, and also cattle.

Origin of the inhabitants of Attica

The inhabitants of Attica mostly belonged to the Ionian tribe - one of the four main Greek tribes, named after the legendary hero. The Ionians, along with the Dorians, are considered the main bearers of the national culture of Greece. The whole population of Attica was divided into four classes according to the generic sign, which they called the fils:

• Gleonts - noble, they were called "brilliant";
• Hoplites were warriors;
• Ergadian - farmers;
• Egikorei - it was a goat or just a shepherd.

Socially, the phyla consisted of large clans, each of which was divided into several dozen clan families. Families in a certain order were united in phratries, that is, religious groups with their own traditions and rituals. Such an organization did not concern the conquered tribes and their descendants, although they too could freely engage in crafts, trade or agriculture and had their associations, they were called metek.

Athens: geographical location

Geographically, Attica is divided into two main parts - the capital of the region and the whole country - Athens with its suburbs and the rest of the territory. The capital is named after the goddess of wisdom Athena, which, according to legend, gave the inhabitants an olive tree. According to another version, the name of the city comes from the word "Athos" - a flower. Athens is located on the central plain of Attica and is surrounded by mountains from the west, north and east, and from the south-west side has access to the Saronic Gulf. Now the city has already occupied the entire plain, but its suburbs continue to expand.

Ancient democracy

Athens is not only the administrative center of the country, even in ancient times the city played a major role in the cultural and economic sense. It was here that as a result of a long and bitter struggle between a tribal aristocracy and demos, such a form of government was born as an ancient democracy that became a model of people's government. This unique form of the state system was formed in Athens in the 5th century BC. E. And although in subsequent times, Athens passed the hard path of destructive wars, experienced the power of many conquerors, in their history there was this period of high citizenship and freedom - democracy.

The Golden Age of Athens

Ancient Athens emerged as a fortified settlement on top of a hill, and then turned into a city-state as a result of sinoquism, which meant the unification of the tribal communities of Attica around the Athens acropolis. This process took several centuries. According to ancient myths, the union was due to the legendary son of King Egei - Theseus, who also introduced the division of the population of Athens into social strata:

• Eupatrida - generic nobility;
• Geomory - farmers;
• Demiurges are artisans.

The highest prosperity of the Athenian state reached during the reign of Pericles - in the 5th century BC. E. This time was called the Golden Age of Athens. In this period, the main temple of Athena - Parthenon, a unique monument of ancient architecture was built. The temple was built by the ancient Greek masters Kallikrat and Iktin, and beautiful sculptural compositions were made by the famous architect Fidiy. The unusuality of the temple is that from one point its facade is visible from three sides, due to the fact that the columns are placed at an angle to each other. Phidias also created the famous statue of Athena in marble and gold. This sculpture is a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

Modernity

The political might of Athens ended with the beginning of destructive wars with Sparta, and then with Macedonia. Further, Athens fell under the rule of the Romans, after which the Turks came. For many centuries the glory of the city faded. Many monuments of history and architecture were destroyed. Only after a long struggle for independence in the 19th century, Athens again became the capital of Greece. Now it is a huge metropolis with a population of more than five million people, which once again gained the status of a cultural and political center of the country and has many historical monuments.

Piraeus

On the southern outskirts of Athens is Piraeus - the largest port in Greece, as well as a major industrial center of the country and an important transportation hub. As early as the 5th century BC. The annual turnover of the port was considerable. Thanks to the convenient geographical location of Athens, the availability of safe harbors Piraeus became a transit point through which various types of goods passed. In the port there were shipyards, workshops, warehouses. Athens with its port was considered the most profitable city, because for merchandise here merchants could get Athenian silver, which was appreciated everywhere.

Attractions in Attica

Attica is currently the most popular tourist area with a lot of historical and architectural attractions, as well as wonderful nature and magnificent beaches. The main symbols of Attica are located in Athens. An invaluable monument of history is the architectural complex of the Acropolis, on which the main temple of ancient Athens - the Parthenon, a place of pilgrimage of a huge number of people is located. Of historical sites in the vicinity of Athens is very popular monastery Daphni. On the high rock of Cape Sounion the Temple of Poseidon was built, from which now remain majestic ruins. Fishermen, going to sea, brought here donations - the god Poseidon was for the Greeks second in meaning, as their life was inextricably linked with the sea. In Eleusis there is one of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Attica - the temple of the goddess Demeter, who gave the Greeks grain. In honor of her every year in the spring and autumn holidays were held. On the island of Aegina is the ghost town of Palaiochora, which was empty a hundred years ago.

The nature of Attica is also amazing and beautiful. On Mount Imitos there is a wonderful healing spring, given, according to legend, by the god Hephaestus to people. The unique therapeutic properties of the thermal lake Vulyagmeni, which is replenished by sources located at its depth, and an extraordinary fish doctor can rejuvenate the skin, cleaning it from dead cells. The endless coastline is strewn with a variety of magnificent beaches, recreational areas and water sports.

A wonderful place to spend a comfortable summer vacation is Attica - photos show delightful landscapes of nature, and enthusiastic reviews of travelers are evidence of the popularity of this region of Greece.