The host city of ICEGOV 2021 is Athens, located in central Greece. The name of the city most likely originates from the Greek goddess Athena, who is associated with wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. Surrounded by a lining of stunning coastline and mountains, Athens is filled with gems just waiting to be discovered. Located at the crossroads of three continents, the capital of Greece with an overall population of almost 4 million people has often been the melting pot of many cultures. Characterized by a culture and people that are welcoming and relaxed, every visitor will feel like home. It dominates the Attica region and is one of the world’s oldest cities, with a recorded history spanning more than 3400 years.
Classical Athens was a powerful city-state that emerged in conjunction with the seagoing development of the port of Piraeus. A center for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, it is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely because of its cultural and political impact on the European continent, and in particular the Romans. In modern times, Athens is a large cosmopolitan metropolis and central to economic, financial, industrial, maritime, political and cultural life in Greece, therefore making it an ideal congress destination, combining state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent congress facilities and easy access from all over the world with world-class cultural attractions, modern amenities, diverse entertainment and natural beauty. Most hotels in Athens underwent extensive renovation in preparation for the 2004 Summer Olympics, a great benefit for current visitors that can enjoy comfortable and stylish accommodation combined with high-quality services.
