The Saronic Gulf is located close to Athens between Attica and the Peloponnese peninsula. It is one of the most significant areas for European culture: it was right here in Ancient history that the dramatic battle between the Greeks and Persians was faught, ending with victory for the Greek and enabling them to continue to develop their culture that is at the very root of the whole Western civilisation. The Saronic Gulf is also one of the most beautiful areas in Greece. Its volcanic centers (Poros island, Methana peninsula and Aegina island) are at the north-western end of the active Hellenic Volcanic Arc.