olympia

Olympia is a toponym that refers to several places and uses. The two most widely known are the ancient sanctuary in Greece and the capital city of Washington state in the United States.

Ancient Olympia, located in the western Peloponnese in Elis, was the religious center of the ancient Greek world and the origin site of the Olympic Games, held from the 8th century BCE until late antiquity. The site contains the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the ancient stadium, and other sanctuaries and treasuries. The Archaeological Site of Olympia, together with the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Modern Olympia, Washington, is the capital of the United States state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It lies at the southern end of Puget Sound, near the Olympic Peninsula. As the state government center, it houses the Washington State Capitol and numerous agencies, courts, and political institutions. It also hosts educational institutions and cultural facilities and serves as a regional hub for government, education, and services. The city population is in the tens of thousands.

Other uses: Olympia is also a given name and appears in branding, institutions, and place names in various parts of the world.