PIREUS, the seaport of Athens, stands on an isthmus joining to the mainland a rocky promontory overlooking the gulf of Salamis, 5 miles S.W. of Athens. The modern town has been entirely built since 1834, and contains many fine houses, four churches, six schools, a custom-house, and a lazaretto. The harbour is deep and good, though rather difficult of entrance; and a quay has recently been constructed capable of accommodating numerous vessels. The number of vessels belonging to the port in 1855 was 496, tonnage 18,331; in the same year there entered, exclusive of the coasting trade, 814 ships, tonnage 229,412; and there cleared 595, tonnage 173,736. The commerce of Piræus is great, and rapidly increasing in importance. The value of the imports was in 1854, L.155,840; and in 1855, L.270,280. The chief articles imported are corn from Turkey and Egypt, sugar, coffee, and all kinds of manufactured articles. The export trade is not so great; it amounted in value in 1854 to L.12,520, and in 1855 to L.28,080. Raw silk, wool, and leeches are sent to France; wine, cheese, honey, &c., to Turkey; hides, tobacco, &c., to Austria; and silk to Britain. Pop. (1852) 5526.