The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
Attica and Athens
Attica occupies the southern central region of
the Greek mainland and, with the capital city
of Athens, is the most densely settled and industrialized
section of Greece. It has a northern border with
the prefecture of Sterea Ellada and a long coastline
along the Saronic Gulf and the gulfs of Evia,
Megara and Petalia. Its port of Piraeus is the
country’s main commercial hub and the centre
of the nation’s maritime industry.
Overview
The
main cities are Athens, Greece’s largest
city, and Piraeus. Their suburbs have also grown
into centers of commerce and tourism. The region
has a population of about 3.762.000, representing
34% of the country’s population, contributing
36% to the GDP.
Natural resources
The
plain of Attica is an agricultural and wine-growing
region. The mountains of Hymettus, Parnitha and
Pendeli are a nearby respite from the urbanized
landscape, as are the beach resorts that dot the
southern coastline all the way to Cape Sunion
and continue northeast to the port of Rafina.
The region’s agricultural sector produces
crops of olive oil, wheat, citrus fruits, tomatoes
and potatoes.
Characteristics
Greece’s
most densely populated region is known for its
superior infrastructure. About 1.550.000 residents
are employed in public and/or private enterprises,
1,3% in agriculture, 24,18% in foods and drinks
industry, production of coke, oil refining, manufacture
of equipment and appliances, broadcasting, television
and communications and production of chemical
products and 74,49% in tourism.
Primary industries
Primary
industries are biological agriculture (olive oil,
wheat, citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, wine),
followed by foods and drinks industry, production
of coke, oil refining, manufacture of equipment
and appliances, broadcasting, television and communications
and production of chemical products. The region’s
tourism sector counts 692 firms. Companies with
FDI include Air Liquide Hellas, Linte Hellas,
Shell Gas. Misko A.E., Fulgor A.E. and Village
Road Show A.E.
Infrastructure
The
region has a new international airport at Spata,
north of Athens, that provides worldwide connections.
There is a good road network in all local areas
and national highways linking it with northern
and southern Greece. The port of Piraeus is one
of the worlds busiest and has a complete maritime
infrastructure. There is a direct and continuous
supply of humid fuels as well as natural gas.
Many industrial areas are located in Attica.
Human resources
There
are industrial regions throughout the prefectures,
along with a specialized labor force that includes
mechanical engineers, mechanics, metalworkers,
carpenters, plumbers, cabinetmakers, marble craftsmen,
printers, executives and professionals at every
level. There is a good network of foreign-language
schools at all levels.
R&D – Education
Attica
is home to the University of Athens, Athens University of Economics
and Business, Athens Polytechnic, Agricultural University of Athens,
Harokopio University of Athens, Panteion University and the University
of Piraeus. These and a number of foreign tertiary institutes
support faculties of education, medicine, law, agriculture, finance,
architecture, engineering, agricultural and natural resources
management. Technical institutes of higher education provide training
in business administration, tourist enterprises, project management,
accounting, health care, food technology and nutrition and graphic
arts and design.
Investment sectors
Current
investment potential lies in biological agriculture
where there are opportunities to restructure cultivation.
Opportunities also exist in food and drink manufacture,
production of coke, oil refining, manufacture
of equipment and appliances, broadcasting, television
and communications and production of chemical
products and in the sector of new technologies.
The tourism sector offers much investment potential
in the services sector. The region of Attica belongs
to investment zones A and C.
Transforming projects
The
Pathe highway will provide quicker connections
to major Greek cities and ports. The Attiki Odos
motorway is also designed to upgrade service to
the airport and outlying areas. Works for the
2004 Olympic Games revitalized and transformed
greater Athens.