Geography
Area: 131,957 sq. km. (51,146 sq. mi.)
Major cities: -Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Patras, Larissa.
Terrain: Mountainous interior with coastal plains; 2,000-plus islands.
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, wet winter and hot, dry summer.

People
Population (2005 est.): 11,104,000 million. (Immigrants make up approximately 10% of the population.)
Languages: Greek 99% (official);
Religions: Greek Orthodox (98%), with Muslim (1.3%), Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and other religious communities.

Government
Type: Parliamentary republic.
Independence: 1830.
Constitution: June 11, 1975, amended March 1986, April 2001, May 2008.

Economy (2007)
GDP: $314.4 billion.
Per capita GDP: $28,280.
Growth rate: 4.0%.
Inflation rate: 3.0%.
Unemployment rate (annual average): 8.3%.
Natural resources: Bauxite, lignite, magnesite, oil, marble.

Shop hours
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 09:00-13.30 & 17.30-20.30
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 09:00-15.00
Sundays: All shops are closed.

Some large department stores are open everyday from 09:00 to 20.30 without a break. Tourist and other shops in tourist areas (Plaka, Monastiraki) are usually open for longer hours and on Sundays.

Bookshops (with English books)
Worth a visit is also the 6-storey, oldest bookstore Eleftheroudakis on Panepistimiou (between Syntagma and Omonia) (also has a coffee shop), which carries a great variety of books in Greek, English and other languages.
Further down there is another smaller bookshop with a smaller selection of English books, called Papasotiriou.
Behind Eleftheroudakis, on Stadiou Street, there is another bookshop with an average selection of English books called Ianos.

ATHENS INFO GUIDE: For complete information on the history of Athens, transportation in Athens, maps, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, cultural agenda, shopping, sports, local customs, traveling with children, beaches, off the beaten path, walks in the city, traps and warnings, excursions, car rental, travel agents, photo gallery, and much more….

MUSEUMS IN ATHENS (for more museums and contact information): www.greece-museums.com/athens-museums.php">; www.athensguide.com/museum.html

Plaka: The area is at the foot of the Acropolis and more or less between Monastiraki and Syntagma, with Athens' older buildings dating back two or more centuries, narrow and largely pedestrian streets lined with cafes, restaurants, tavernas, gift shops (some with original gift items!). A fresh and oasis-like a feeling, especially early on a sunny morning, as you can get in a city, especially the normally noisy and buzzing Athens. It's enjoyable to walk, discover small exhibits on the way through and small museums such as the Museum of Children's Art, The Museum of Greek Folk Art, Museum of Musical Instruments. At night it comes alive, socializing over an evening coffee Frappe and then eventually, numerous shared plates of food at its tavernas, and Acropolis-hillside-clinging restaurants. Though this is a tourist magnet, it contains some desirable homes and many live and work here; a few of the oldest homes still remind one of an era void of creature comforts. There is also a summer cinema in Plaka square: Cine Paris. It has wonderful plants and a view of the Acropolis, competing with the movie for your attention.

Monastiraki: This area skirts the park around Thission and the Ancient Agora, at the end of the shopping street Ermou. There is the flea market gift shops, antique shops, junk and collectors corners of every sort. Although it is touristy, it is mixed in with the sort of old shops, that are gems and one of a kind. If you walk just down from the station away from the flea market to Kirikou street and you'll find the busiest and most popular after-work Gyros places - if a Gyros is good anywhere, it is here!
Art and archaeology at the metro stations: Even if you don't actually need to travel by Metro, it's worth visiting the Syntagma station. There is a permanent exhibition of archaeological remains found during the construction. At other stations, works of important Greek artists, modern or classic, are displayed.

Lykavittos: The steep walk uphill to the viewing area and church of Agios Georgios is rewarded by excellent views. The Lykavittos theater is used for performances. There is a restaurant and a cafe at the top. You can take the funicular to the top, or take a taxi if the climb is just too much. On the way to Lykavittos, at Dexameni (beyond Kolonaki square), there is a summer cinema - movies shown in the open air.

Syntagma (Constitution) Square: The name Syntagma means Constitution. The Square has a long history. It seems every major event in Greece has either been mourned or celebrated here. It has held some of the biggest political pep-rallies.
It is a large public square with tree shaded walkways and benches and cafes and the scene of the largest political rallies, holiday concerts and festivals. During the Christmas season the square is bejeweled in lights
At the top of Syntagma is the Parliament Building, formerly the King's Palace, built between 1836 and 1840 by King Otto and financed by his father Ludwig I of Bavaria. The original idea was to put the king's palace on the Acropolis. The classical style of architecture, known as neo-classical which originated in Greece and is the dominant style of all the old public buildings, houses and mansions of Athens, was actually re-imported into Greece in the late 1800s from Europe and then modified (improved) by Greek architects.
From the top of Syntagma Square to the right if you are looking at the Parliament is the terminal for the Athens Coastal Tram where you can ride to the beaches. Across the street at the entrance to the National Gardens is where you can take the trolley buses to the National Archaeological Museum. It is also the beginning of Ermou Street , closed to auto traffic and Athens’ main shopping district which leads down to the flea market at Monastiraki, and the areas of Plaka and Psirri.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (as Syntagma Square) is guarded by Evzones, the Presidential Guard. The tomb is placed at the bottom of a high wall, on which a relief depicts a fallen soldier, surrounded by quotations from Pericles' funeral oration. Further inscriptions, left and right, tell of historic battles where Greek soldiers took part, the most recent one in Cyprus in 1974.

SHOPPING IN ATHENS
Besides the areas of Plaka and Monastiraki which are well known to travelers for their large variety of tourist shops in all of central Athens - a shopper's Mecca. Streets that were once choked with traffic have now been closed to all motor vehicles and this diverse shopping area has become a walking shopper’s paradise with every kind of shop you can imagine, and some you never imagined existed. The clothing shops have quality men and women's apparel from all over the world and the shoe stores make you wonder why your choices at home are so limited.
The two other main shopping streets of Eolou and Agiou Marcou are the streets where you can find incredible bargains in clothes, fabrics, yarn, shoes, and cafes where you can catch your breath after a period of furious shopping. There are old women from Russia and young men from Persia, selling silk shirts, socks, and underwear on the street. In August-September and January-February everything is on sale. You can literally go to Greece and replace your wardrobe and the money you save will pay for your ticket. There is always something going on at Eolou and Ermou streets. There are musicians and dancers and thousands of shoppers. Sometimes it is more fun to look at people than the shops.
Generally shops are closed on Sundays, but that's the day to go to the Flea Market in Monastiraki. Keep your eyes open when shopping in Athens. Not every shop has a big glass window with their goods displayed on the sidewalks. Some shops are hidden away in alcoves, atriums, basements and even the backs of apartment buildings. In fact many of the true craftsmen have shops that seem like they are hidden, either because they have a circle of customers that keep them busy enough or because they are artists happy with the way things are and don't seek more business
The first area you will normally be recommended to shop in is the upscale Ermou Street and Kolonaki area. All the latest boutiques and houses of fashion can be found here. If you like big shops or name brands, head for the Attica City Link or Notos Galleries department stores and which also have excellent cafes.