Izmir

INTRO
"The Pearl of Aegean" is the nickname of the historical Smyrna, the present city of Izmir. Here, the remains of ancient civilizations, the exotic Turkish culture and the idyllic summer atmosphere attract visitors from all over the world. The country's most important industrial and commercial activities are also concentrated here and this gives Izmir an irreplaceable part of the Turkish economy.

City Profile
City: Izmir
Country: Turkey
Population: 3, 500, 000
Districts: 9
Governor: Mustafa Cahit Kiraç
Language: Turkish

LOCATION
Located in the Gulf of Izmir by the Aegean Sea, the city is the Turkey's first port for exports and a free zone. Served by national and international flights through Adnan Menderes Airport, Izmir is easily reachable for both tourist and economic purposes. Its very advantageous location as a gateway to the Aegean region and its heritage has made Izmir an important industrial and commercial centre.

TIME TO VISIT
Izmir has a Mediterranean climate that is characterised by long and hot summers and mild, rainy winters.The average daytime temperature throughout the summer is 28 degrees C. The ideal time to visit the place is in September, right before the rainy season, when the weather is moderate but still warm enough for outside walks. However, the annual Izmir International Festival beginning in mid-June and continuing till mid-July is a world-class performance of famous singers and musicians that is worth attending despite the hot summer days.

POPULATION
The population of Izmir outgrows 3 million people. The city is also a home of the Turkish second largest Jewish community that is concentrated in a separate quarter as well as to a considerable number of Levantines with a French, Genoese and Venetian origin. The natives speak Turkish but English is also used in the main historical and tourist sites.

DISTRICTS
The city of Izmir is composed of nine metropolitan districts. Each district as well as the neighbourhoods within has its specific history and features that distinguish them from the others. Some of the main districts in the city are the following:

Konak is Izmir's historical and its present administrative centre, which is implied in its name, literally meaning official residence in Turkish. The historic bazaar area of Kemeralti is situated there as well as the Offices of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.
Balçova is notable for its baths, associated with the name of Agamemnon. The waters of several 160 degrees Fahrenheit hot springs are considered good for many diseases and that is why they were used for healing the wounds of the soldiers.
Karşiyaka is a prosperous residential neighbourhood with one of the highest educational levels in Turkey. Among beautiful gardens and orchards that garnish the seashore are a number of Ottoman konaks or mansions.
Gaziemir is highly developed production and sales area that includes the expoert processing industrial park of Aegean Free Zone, the International Airport and the fifth U.S. Space Camp.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
As a city with more than 3000-year history and the second busiest ports in Turkey, Izmir has a lot to be proud of and shows it to thousands of tourists every year. Its Roman and Greek heritage attracts attention and is surely one of the most famous destinations in Turkey. Among the many places of interest are the following:

The Clock Tower stands in Konak Square and is one of the symbols of the city. Near is the Cultural Park where every year the city welcomes the International Fair. And just above the Tower is Izmir's Archaeological museum, which exhibits many interesting findings from ancient Smyrna, Ephesus, Miletus and many others.
Roman Agora (meaning marketplace in ancient Greek) is the ancient market of Smyrna and lies in the centre of the city. Originally constructed under Alexander the Great, it was later rebuilt under the Romans in the 2nd century and is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Izmir.
Ephesus Antique City was an ancient Greek city and its ruins are one of the top Turkish tourist attraction sites. It is the site of a large Gladiator graveyard, the Temple of Artemis and many other worth seeing historical treasures. Even though it is not located in the city region one should definitely visit it if the time is not limited.
Kemeralty Bazaar was set up by the Ottomans and is now one of the most significant Ottoman landmarks in Izmir. It is a fine shopping district that provides limitless shopping opportunities. Don't forget to bargain about the prices: this is essential for the Turkish shopping culture.
Kadifekale (Velvet Castle) is located on Mount Pagos, overlooking the sea and enabling a marvellous view of the Gulf of Izmir. The castle was built in the 3rd century BC, renovated several times and is now one of the main landmarks of the city.

AIRPORT
Izmir is a significant tourist and commerce site that is easily accessible from many Turkish and international destinations. The city has an airport that is on its way of becoming one of the busiest in the country.

Adnan Menderes Airport is located about 20km south from the city. There are city-airport buses that operate along two lines to the northern and southern districts of the city. There is also a train that connects the airport with the centre, running every 60 minutes but the journey takes around 30 minutes, which is a comparatively slow option. Taxis are expensive, about fifty dollars depending on the distance. More info at http: http://www.adnanmenderesairport.com/

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
As the third biggest city in Turkey, Izmir offers a well-established transport system utilizing options at sea and on land. These are the following:

The Subway runs through 10 stations with the final stops at Bornova and Uckuyular. Fares: 1,25 YTL.
The red municipal public buses are the main public transport means. It is advisable to buy a "Kent-Kart" (City Card) that are sold at the ticket offices and work for both buses and ferries. Initial price 4 YTL and you can re-cash it when it's finished.
Taxis are metred and unless you have a tightly limited budget are a fairly convenient means of transport.
Urban Ferries are probably the cheapest way to get from one district to the other. There are 24 that shuttle across 8 quays. Special lines are also available during the summer for excursions further along the Gulf.
Dolmuses are minibuses that usually serve outside the very central part of Izmir.

HISTORY
The history of Izmir goes back 3000 years when the Trojans founded it in Tepekule. The first settlers, the Aeolians, suffered two subsequent destructions of the city, first by the Ionians and then by the Lydians around 600BC, followed by a temporary recovery after Alexander the Great's arrival in 334BC. Initially, the city was called Smyrna, originating from Greek, presumably linked to a plant that produces the aromatic resin called myrrh. After Alexander perished, the city was reconstructed on Mount Pagos and prospered under the Roman influence. After the Byzantines, Izmir suffered many foreign intrusions, including by Arabs and Mongols, until the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in 1415 by Mehmet I. Defeated in the World War I, Izmir was given to the Greeks who after the War for Independence in 1922 retreated and announced the Turkish victory. Since then the city has been a thriving and sophisticated trading centre and an important transportation hub.

CITY LINKS

Izmir Newspaper, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://english.sabah.com.tr/C5AF4329DD434A18B332D6AC78963928.html
Izmir Tourist Information: http://www.izmirturizm.gov.tr/default.asp?L=EN
Useful Tips: http://www.travel-library.com/europe/turkey/izmir/
Interesting places in Izmir: http://www.cankan.com/gizmir/13-interesting_places_of_izmir.htm

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Ege University, the first university in Izmir: www.ege.edu.tr/english
Izmir Institute of Technology, the first institute of technology in Izmir: http://www.iztech.edu.tr/main_eng.jsp?pageName=main.htm
Izmir University of Economics: http://cs.ieu.edu.tr/eng/index.php
Yaşar University: http://www.yasar.edu.tr/english/index.html