Athens - Olympic City 2004 - is the political, cultural and economic capital of Greece, located in the south-east of the country.

Athens has existed from the Neolithic period when the first inhabitants, in 4000-3000 BC, gathered around the hill of the Acropolis and the area of the Ilissos River.

During the Mycenaean period (1550-1050 BC) the flourishing economy led to the fortification of the city and by the end of the 12th Century BC the sovereign's palace was built on the hill of Acropolis.

Modern Athens was born in 1834 and has been the capital of Greece ever since.

In addition to the legendary buildings of the Acropolis, Athens is also home to one of the best archaeological museums in the world, countless Roman and Byzantine monuments and many areas of natural beauty.

It is also the gateway to one of Greece's 1400 islands. The city has grown rapidly over the last 50 years.