Attica

Attica - Central Greece (Greece)

Attica is the southernmost prefecture of Central Greece. It borders on the north with the prefecture of Viotia, south with the the Peloponnese peninsula, east on the Aegean Sea, south on the Argosaronic bay and at southwest on the Corinthian bay. Attica is 3808 sq. km and the capital of Attica is Athens, also the capital of Greece.

Attica is the most densely populated area of Greece. The country's largest port, Piraeus, is located here and the region consists of urban and non-urban areas. The urban area the Greeks call the "Lekanopedion of Attica". It looks like a basin and the area is surrounded by mountains.

NORTH ATTICA

The northern part of Attica is known for its green and lush vegetation. Last years there were several fires since then the lush vegetation has been significantly reduced. There are many shopping centres, restaurants, pastry shops, hotels and nightclubs. The suburb of Marousi is known for its pottery but also for its Olympic stadium located here. There are several shops and showrooms were ceramics are exhibited. Kiffisia, Kefalari, Politia, Halandri, Agia Paraskevi, Varibobi and Drossia are some of the most popular places. Here live the most wealthy Athenians. Parnitha is the highest mountain near Athens, where one of the best reputable casinos in Greece is located. (The Mont Parnes casino)

SOUTH ATTICA

The coastal road starts from Piraeus and follows the coastline to Sounion (the southern part of the cape), crossing the suburbs Paleo Faliro, Glyfada, Voula, Kavouri, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. These suburbs have grown enormously in the last decades, they combine beach resorts and many shopping centres with cafes and restaurants and modern sports centres. Here are the most famous night clubs of the city located, especially during the summer. Vouliagmeni Lake and the Agios Kosmas sports centre are worth a visit. Visit also cape Sounio and the Sanctuary of Sounio where the temple of Poseidon is located. In Lavrio, located 9 kilometers northeast of Sounio, you will find a small picturesque town which comprises a lot of neoclassical buildings.

EAST ATTICA

Here are a lot of vineyards, especially in Mesogia, where the popular Retsina wine is produced. Porto Rafti, Loutsa, Rafina, Agios Andreas, Nea Makri, Schinias and Agii Apostoli are the busiest cities in the area. In the summer there is a vibrant nightlife and the beautiful beach resorts are very popular. In eastern Attica is the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport located and also the historic village of Marathon. Marathon is known for the traditional Marathon-Athens race ("Marathon" 42.2 km) and the Marathon Tomb, where in 490 B.C. 1920 Greeks were buried, after they died during the war against the Persians. Marathon is also well known for the lake which provides Athens with water.

WEST ATTICA

In West Attica there is the historical Elefsina located. This was the birthplace of Aeschylus (Aeschylus was the oldest of the three main Greek tragedy poets,  Sophocles was one generation younger, Euripides two generations younger.). The settlement Elefsina was founded in 2000 B.C. and developed into a large and well-protected city in Mycenaean times. The ancient city of Megara (40 km from Athens) was the birthplace of Mathematician Euclides (Euclides of Megara was a Greek Socratic philosopher who lived around 400 BC.) In Megara is a very interesting archaeological museum located which houses interesting findings covering the period 6th century B.C. till the Roman period.

Η Περιφέρεια Αττικής αποτελεί μία από τις 13 περιφέρειες της Ελλάδας με βάση το άρθρο 61 του Νόμου 1622/86, όπως αυτές καθορίστηκαν από το Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 51/1987, αποτελούμενη από τον Νομό Αττικής με έδρα την Αθήνα.

Στο παρελθόν, η περιφέρεια Αττικής διαιρούνταν σε τέσσερις νομαρχίες που περιλαμβάνονταν αυτόνομες στον αριθμό των λοιπών Νομών της Ελλάδας: τη Νομαρχία Αθηνών, τη Νομαρχία Πειραιώς, τη Νομαρχία Ανατολικής Αττικής και τη Νομαρχία Δυτικής Αττικής. Τα νομαρχιακά διαμερίσματα Αθηνών και Πειραιώς συγκροτούσαν τη Νομαρχιακή Αυτοδιοίκηση Αθηνών - Πειραιώς, η οποία ήταν γνωστή και ως Υπερνομαρχία Αθηνών - Πειραιώς.

Σύμφωνα με το πρόγραμμα Καλλικράτης, το οποίο τέθηκε σε εφαρμογή από την 1η Ιανουαρίου 2011, η ισχύουσα διοικητική διαίρεση της Αττικής έπαψε να υφίσταται και οργανώθηκε σε νέες διοικητικές μονάδες. Με βάση τον νέο νόμο και τη νέα διοικητική διαίρεση που προκύπτει από αυτόν, καταργήθηκαν τα τέσσερα νομαρχιακά διαμερίσματα και η περιφέρεια διαιρείται σε οκτώ περιφερειακές ενότητες. Η πρώην Νομαρχία Αθηνών διασπάστηκε σε τέσσερις περιφερειακές ενότητες: Κεντρικού Τομέα Αθηνών, Βορείου Τομέα Αθηνών, Δυτικού Τομέα Αθηνών και Νοτίου Τομέα Αθηνών. Η πρώην Νομαρχία Πειραιώς διασπάστηκε στην Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Πειραιώς και στην Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Νήσων Αττικής, ενώ οι Νομαρχίες Ανατολικής Αττικής και Δυτικής Αττικής μετατράπηκαν στις αντίστοιχες περιφερειακές ενότητες Ανατολικής και Δυτικής Αττικής. Επίσης, σύμφωνα με τον νέο νόμο συνίσταται η Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση Αττικής, η οποία εκτείνεται στα όρια της περιφέρειας Αττικής με έδρα την Αθήνα.

Η διοικητική διαίρεση της περιφέρειας συνοπτικά είναι η παρακάτω: