Athens is a part of the McMinn County and it serves as the county seat of the region. It is located in the state of Tennessee and it is a part of the Chattanooga-Cleveland-Athens Combined Statistical Area. The city lies in the lap of the Great Smoky Mountains and it is known as the Friendly City of America because of its soothing climatic and a balanced environment. The city is known for its historical role during the American Civil War and the major attractions of the city include the museums and remnants of the buildings built before the Civil War. Among the biggest companies in Athens are The Daily Post Athenian group and WLAR Country Radio Station. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities. Even the schools in the city are popular for their all round development techniques. The biggest and the most popular schools of the city are McMinn County High School and Athens Jr. High School. The city is home to two prestigious colleges of the state namely Cleveland State Community College and Tennessee Wesleyan College. The best places worth visiting in the city are Athens Regional Park and Knox park. Famous persons from Athens include Eric Axley and J. Lawrence Cook .