Attica (region)

This article is about the modern administrative region of Greece. For the historical region, see Attica. For the former prefecture, see Attica Prefecture. For other uses, see Attica (disambiguation).
Attica
Περιφέρεια Αττικής
Administrative region
Acropolis of Athens from Mount Lycabettus
Hydra
Old Royal Palace
(The Hellenic Parliament)
Temple of Aphaia
Kythira
Spetses
Parnitha
Official seal of Attica
Seal
Location of Attica
Coordinates: 38°00′N 23°42′E / 38.0°N 23.7°E / 38.0; 23.7
Country Greece
Decentralized AdministrationAttica
CapitalAthens
Regional units
List
Government
 • TypeRegional council
 • Regional GovernorNikos Hardalias [el] (New Democracy)
Area
 • Total
3,808.1 km2 (1,470.3 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)[1]
 • Total
3,790,842
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
GDP
[2]
 • Total€85.769 billion (2021)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 codeGR-I
NUTS codeEL3
HDI (2022)0.918[3]
very high · 1st of 13
Websitewww.patt.gov.gr

Attica (/ˈætɪkə/ AT-ih-kə; Greek: Περιφέρεια Αττικής, romanized: Periféria Attikís, [periˈferi.a atiˈcis]) is an administrative region of Greece, that encompasses the entire Athens metropolitan area, the core city of which is the country's capital and largest city, Athens. The region is coextensive with the former Attica Prefecture of Central Greece and covers a greater area than the historical region of Attica.

Overview

Located on the eastern edge of Central Greece, Attica covers about 3,808 square kilometres. In addition to Athens, it contains within its area the cities of Elefsina, Megara, Laurium, and Marathon, as well as a small part of the Peloponnese peninsula and the islands of Salamis, Aegina, Angistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Kythira, and Antikythera. About 3,790,000 people live in the region, of whom more than 95% are inhabitants of the Athens metropolitan area. In 2019, Attica had the HDI of 0.912, the highest in Greece.[citation needed]

Administration

Head office of the Attica region

The region was established in the 1987 administrative reform, and until 2010 it comprised the 4 prefectures of Athens, East Attica, Piraeus and West Attica.

With the 2010 Kallikratis plan, the region's powers and authority were completely redefined and extended. Since 1 January 2011, the region represents the second-level local administration. While being supervised by the Decentralized Administration of Attica, it is now an independent self-governing body with powers and a budget comparable to the former prefectures.

The region is subdivided into eight subordinate regional units:[4]

Electoral districts

The Attica region consists of eight electoral districts: Athens A, Athens B1, Athens B2, Athens B3, Piraeus A, Piraeus B, East Attica and West Attica.

Major communities

See also

Demographics

The region has shrunk by 35,965 people between 2011 and 2021, experiencing a population loss of 0.9%.[5]

Climate

Due to its large area Attica has a variety of climates. The largest part of the peninsula has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa). Some areas of the Athens Riviera, areas of the Thriasio Plain, Aigina, Hydra and some areas in west Attica have a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh). According to the meteorological stations of the National Observatory of Athens and the Hellenic National Meteorological Service areas in the north have wetter and colder winters. Parnitha mountain has a January average high of around 4°C and an average low below 0°C. [6][7][8] Areas in the south mainland have very mild winters with Nea Smyrni recording a January average high close to 15°C and an average low of around 9°C.[6][9] The islands of the Attica region have even milder winters with Hydra recording a January average low of over 10°C and falling in 11a hardiness zone.[10][11]

The highest July and August temperatures are recorded in the interior of the Athens Basin and also in west areas with Nea Filadelfeia, Harokopio University and Salamina registering average summer highs over 35°C.[12][6][13] Due to land breezes, summer nights can be particularly hot in the south and especially around Piraeus which records an average August low of around 27°C.[6][14] The highest average annual temperatures are recorded in Nea Smyrni registering around 20.5°C, while the lowest is recorded in Parnitha mountain with less than 11.0°C.[6][15][16] Neos Kosmos is the warmest area of Downtown Athens with an average annual temperature of 20.2°C and a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) closely bordering a hot-summer mediterranean (Csa) climate. During July 2024 minimum temperatures remained over 30 °C (86 °F) for 12 consecutive days in metropolitan Athens, breaking all known records for any area in the country.[17][18]

Anavysos in the Athens Riviera records the lowest average annual precipitation in mainland Greece with around 295 mm, while the highest average annual precipitation is found in Avlonas with around 930 mm.[19] Lavrio is the only area in mainland Attica that has never recorded an air frost according to the National Observatory of Athens station which operates since 2008.[20][6]

The highest temperature ever recorded in Attica was 48.0°C in Elefsina and Tatoi on July 10, 1977 which according to the World Meteorological Organization was also the highest official temperature ever recorded in Europe until 2021.[21] The lowest temperature ever recorded was -12.0°C in Parnitha mountain on January 9, 2017.[22] The highest minimum temperature in mainland Attica was 32.9 °C (91 °F) and it was recorded on July 26, 2023 in Hellinikon.[23] The highest minimum temperature in the Attica region was 37.0 °C (99 °F) in Kythira. [24][25] Furthermore, Attica has experienced temperatures of 47.5°C and over in four different locations.

Climate data for Downtown Athens (1991–2020), Extremes (1890–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.8
(73.0) 		25.3
(77.5) 		28.2
(82.8) 		32.2
(90.0) 		37.6
(99.7) 		44.8
(112.6) 		42.8
(109.0) 		43.9
(111.0) 		38.7
(101.7) 		36.5
(97.7) 		30.5
(86.9) 		23.1
(73.6) 		44.8
(112.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13.3
(55.9) 		14.2
(57.6) 		17.0
(62.6) 		21.1
(70.0) 		26.5
(79.7) 		31.6
(88.9) 		34.3
(93.7) 		34.3
(93.7) 		29.6
(85.3) 		24.4
(75.9) 		18.9
(66.0) 		14.4
(57.9) 		23.3
(73.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4) 		10.8
(51.4) 		13.1
(55.6) 		16.7
(62.1) 		21.8
(71.2) 		26.6
(79.9) 		29.3
(84.7) 		29.4
(84.9) 		25.0
(77.0) 		20.3
(68.5) 		15.6
(60.1) 		11.6
(52.9) 		19.2
(66.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8) 		7.3
(45.1) 		9.2
(48.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		17.0
(62.6) 		21.6
(70.9) 		24.2
(75.6) 		24.4
(75.9) 		20.4
(68.7) 		16.2
(61.2) 		12.2
(54.0) 		8.7
(47.7) 		15.0
(59.0)
Record low °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3) 		−5.7
(21.7) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		1.7
(35.1) 		6.2
(43.2) 		11.8
(53.2) 		16
(61) 		15.5
(59.9) 		8.9
(48.0) 		5.9
(42.6) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		−6.5
(20.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 55.6
(2.19) 		44.4
(1.75) 		45.6
(1.80) 		27.6
(1.09) 		20.7
(0.81) 		11.6
(0.46) 		10.7
(0.42) 		5.4
(0.21) 		25.8
(1.02) 		38.6
(1.52) 		70.8
(2.79) 		76.3
(3.00) 		433.1
(17.06)
Average relative humidity (%) 72.0 70.0 66.0 60.0 56.0 50.0 42.0 47.0 57.0 66.0 72.0 73.0 60.9
Average ultraviolet index 2 3 5 7 9 10 10 9 6 4 2 2 6
Source 1: Cosmos, scientific magazine of the National Observatory of Athens[26]
Source 2: Meteoclub[27][28]
Climate data for Piraeus Hellenic National Meteorological Service (1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.1
(57.4) 		14.4
(57.9) 		16.6
(61.9) 		20.3
(68.5) 		25.1
(77.2) 		29.9
(85.8) 		32.8
(91.0) 		32.9
(91.2) 		29.1
(84.4) 		24.2
(75.6) 		18.9
(66.0) 		15.4
(59.7) 		22.81
(73.06)
Daily mean °C (°F) 11.1
(52.0) 		11.2
(52.2) 		13.3
(55.9) 		16.9
(62.4) 		21.4
(70.5) 		26.3
(79.3) 		29.0
(84.2) 		28.8
(83.8) 		25.2
(77.4) 		20.6
(69.1) 		15.8
(60.4) 		12.6
(54.7) 		19.35
(66.83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8) 		7.9
(46.2) 		10.0
(50.0) 		13.4
(56.1) 		17.7
(63.9) 		22.2
(72.0) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.0
(77.0) 		21.5
(70.7) 		17.4
(63.3) 		12.9
(55.2) 		9.7
(49.5) 		15.89
(60.60)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 41.95
(1.65) 		36.26
(1.43) 		34.09
(1.34) 		30.34
(1.19) 		15.95
(0.63) 		5.08
(0.20) 		5.56
(0.22) 		3.07
(0.12) 		11.37
(0.45) 		30.5
(1.20) 		58.87
(2.32) 		58.84
(2.32) 		331.9
(13.07)
Source: [29]
Climate data for Attica (Record Highs)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 25.9
(78.6) 		25.9
(78.6) 		30.3
(86.5) 		33.4
(92.1) 		40.6
(105.1) 		47.5
(117.5) 		48.0
(118.4) 		46.2
(115.2) 		41.6
(106.9) 		38.4
(101.1) 		32.2
(90.0) 		25.8
(78.4) 		48.0
(118.4)
Source: [30] [31] [32] [33]

Economy

The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 87.4 billion € in 2018, accounting for about 47% of the Greek economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 28,000 € or 93% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 99% of the EU average. Attica is the region in Greece with the highest GDP per capita.[34] Despite that, the unemployment rate stood at 21.6% in 2017.[35]

Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Unemployment rate
(in %) 		8.5 7.8 6.7 9.1 12.6 18.0 25.8 28.7 27.3 25.2 23.0 21.6

Transportation

Roads and highways

The main roads and highways of Attica are:

Ferry lines

Numerous ferry lines, both normal ferries and high speed vessels, connect the port of Piraeus, with the islands of the region.

Other

Sport

References

  1. ^ "Στοιχεία Υπολογιζόμενου Πληθυσμού (1.1.2023)" (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Population on 1 January by age, sex and NUTS 2 region", www.ec.europa.eu
  3. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  4. ^ "ΦΕΚ A 87/2010, Kallikratis reform law text" (in Greek). Government Gazette.
  5. ^ "Census 2021 GR" (PDF) (Press release). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 2022-07-19. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Monthly Bulletins". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Dionysos NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Parnitha NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Nea Smyrni NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Monthly Bulletins". Meteo.gr.
  11. ^ "Latest Conditions in Hydra".
  12. ^ "30 year period summer statistics of Nea Filadelfeia". Meteoclub. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Salamina NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Piraeus NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Parnitha NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Latest Conditions in Nea Smyrni, Athens".
  17. ^ "Piraeus 12 consecutive days over 30C minimums". Archived from the original on 2024-07-21. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Pireas Port 12 consecutive days minimum T over 30.0C". Archived from the original on 2024-08-31. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Anavysos NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Lavrio NOA station". National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  21. ^ "World Meteorological Organization's World Weather & Climate Extremes Archive". wmo.asu.edu. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Parnitha record low". National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 2018-07-24. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  23. ^ "HNMS". Archived from the original on 2023-07-27. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  24. ^ "Extreme hitte in de zomer van 1998". KNMI. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  25. ^ "37.0C Kythira Min". Infoclimat. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Το 'νέο' κλίμα της Αθήνας - Περίοδος 1991-2020". National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Το κλίμα της Αθήνας". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Το αρχείο του Θησείου". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  29. ^ "Piraeus Urban Planning 1" (PDF) (in Greek). Pagkrati & Millioni (2017), NTUA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-07. Retrieved 30 Sep 2019.
  30. ^ "HNMS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-19. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  31. ^ "NTUA". Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  32. ^ "NOA". Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  33. ^ "46.2C Avlonas". Archived from the original on 2023-07-26. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018". Eurostat.
  35. ^ "Regional Unemployment by NUTS2 Region". Eurostat.
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