Attica

Attica is a historical and geographic region in southeastern Greece that covers the Attica peninsula, projecting into the Aegean Sea northeast of the Peloponnese. In classical times, Attica was the heartland of Athens and the cradle of Athenian democracy; in the modern era it is also the name of an administrative region of Greece that includes the city of Athens and its surrounding areas.

It is bounded by Boeotia to the north, the Aegean Sea to the east and south, and the Saronic Gulf to the southwest. The interior terrain is mostly mountainous and hilly, with the Athenian Plain forming a lowland corridor toward the coast; notable peaks include Mount Parnitha, Mount Pentelicus, and Mount Hymettus.

Historically, ancient Attica saw the rise of Athens as a leading city-state; the region contributed to classical philosophy, drama, art, and politics. After the Classical era it experienced Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule. In the modern period, Attica became the core of the Greek state after independence in the 19th century, with Athens as the capital.

Today, Attica is a regional unit of Greece subdivided into three regional units—Central Attica, North Attica, and West Attica—and includes the major port city of Piraeus as well as many suburbs of Athens. The Saronic Islands, including Aegina, Salamis, Hydra, and Poros, are part of the region. The economy centers on services, commerce, manufacturing, and tourism, with transport hubs anchored by Athens International Airport and the Port of Piraeus.

Attica contains iconic monuments such as the Acropolis and Parthenon, and hosts theatres, museums, and archaeological sites that reflect its long urban history. It remains Greece’s most populous and urbanized region.