The ancestry of most Greeks is a mixture of the various people who have invaded or lived in the region since the beginning of its history. Athens like to believe they are descended from the "true" Greeks of ancient Classical times.Most Athenians are descendants of Germanic people, Slavs, Albanians and other Europeans, as well as Turks and people of the Asian Steppes. Newcomers continue to arrive in Athens from a wider area than ever before. Athens also has a large population of short-term visitors. Most of these people have come come to see and study the wonderful remains of the city's ancient past.