ATTIK

English Attica, ancient Greek Attike, noms (department) of east central Greece. The noms is bounded on the northwest by Boeotia, on the west by Krinthos, on the south by the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, and on the north and east by the Aegean Sea. The name derives from the word akte (promontory), describing the district's position on the Greek mainland. It embraces an area of 1,303 sq mi (3,375 sq km), excluding Athens, its administrative centre and the national capital of Greece. Attik noms is made up of four arable plains watered by mountain streams flowing from nearby ranges. Geographically the plain of Attik lies in a triangle formed by the sea coast and terminates in Cape Sonion. The department of Attik also administers the islands of Agina, Hydra and Kethira. From early times Attik attracted maritime trade, centring on several independent settlements: Elevss (near ancient Eleusis), Athens, and Marathonthe latter where the Greeks were victorious over the Persians in 490 BC. Athens was paramount among these littoral cities by the 13th century BC but did not completely control Attik until the 5th century BC. Attik noms is at the centre of much of Greek history and its historical monuments, such as the ruins of Eleusis, the remains of the temple of Demeter, and the Telesterium, the great hall of mysteries, are reminders of this heritage. The central region is rich in olives, vineyards (producing Kokkineli, a resinated ros wine), figs, cotton, and aromatic shrubs. At Lvrion, near Cape Sonion, silver, zinc, iron, and lead have been mined since ancient times. On Mount Parnassus bauxite has been found. Elevss is a centre of heavy industry. Mount Hymettus and Mount Pentelikon are the sites of marble quarries. In the districts around Athens there is dairy farming, and poultry and vegetables are produced for the markets of the city. Sheep, goats, and cattle are raised on the pastures of the foothills. Pop. (1981) 342,093.