İZMİR
AREA: 11.973 km²
POPULATION: 2.694.770 (1990)
TRAFFIC CODE: 35
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey,
with a population of approximately 2.5
million, the second largest port after
Istanbul and a good transport hub. Once the
ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern
developed and busy commercial center, set
around a huge bay and surrounded by
mountains. The city boasts broad boulevards,
glass fronted building and modern shopping
centers, while still retaining buildings
with traditional red tiled roofs, the 18th
century market, and old mosques and
churches. Izmir has an atmosphere more of
Mediterranean Europe than traditional
Turkey.
The climate is comfortable, with a
relatively mild summer, due to the
refreshing breeze from the Aegean. The long
attractive palm-fringed promenade, Birince
Kordon, which stretches the entire length of
the city up to the Alsancak Ferry Terminal,
is a popular spot for evening walks, and
there are many cafes along the waterfront.
Izmir has a good selection of culture and
entertainment, from the Archaeological and
Ethnographic Museums, to the Izmir State
Opera and Ballet and Izmir State Symphony
Orchestra, to the many bars and clubs. The
cosmopolitan and lively city gets even
busier during the International Izmir
Festival (mid-June to mid-July) with music
and dance, with performances also in nearby
Cesme and Ephesus.
Districts : Balcova, Cigli, Gaziemir,
Karsiyaka, Konak, Aliaga, Bayindir, Bergama,
Beydag, Bornova, Buca, Cesme, Dikili, Foca,
Karaburun, Kemalpasa, Kinik, Kiraz, Menderes,
Menemen, Narlibahce, Odemis, Seferihisar,
Selcuk, Tire, Turbalı and Urla.
SITES OF INTEREST: Dikili, Foça, Çeşme,
Seferihisar and Gümüldür shores,
Balçova-Çatalkaya cable lift, Asansör
(Lift), Yamanlar-Karagöl, Tunay, Uzunkuyu,
Belkahand and Çamlık forest recreation
areas, Balçova-Agamemnon, Çeşme-Şifne,
Bergama-Güzellik Hot Spring, Menemen,
Seferihisar, Bayındır, Foça (Phokaia),
Larisa, Erythrai, Klazomenai, Teos, Lebedos,
Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Efes (Ephesos)
antique city ruins, House of Virgin Mary,
Bayraklı, Kadifekale, Artemis Bath,
Kızılçullu and Selçuk aquaducts, Agora of
İzmir, Çeşme and Selçuk castles, Belevi
Tumulus and Grave Monument, Bergama, Ödemiş
and Tire Grand Mosques, Faik Pasha, Hisar,
Hacı Hüseyin (Başdurak), Kestane Pazarı, Ali
Ağa, Hatuniye, Çorak Kapı, Konak, Kurşunlu,
Şadırvan, İkiçeşmelik, Salepcioğlu, İsa Bey,
Mehmed Bey, Kazganoğlu, Yeni, Pasha and
Rüstem Pasha Mosques, Kızlarağası,
Mirkelamoğlu and Karaosmanoğlu Inns, Sultan
Şah, Mehmed Bey, İbn Melek and Süleyman Şah
mausoleums, İzmir Clock Tower, İzmir Atatürk
and Menemen Kubilay Monuments, International
İzmir Exposition, İzmir Archeology, İzmir
Art and Sculpture, İzmir Atatürk, Efes
Archeology, Bergama and Tire.
For more information
click here (REPUBLIC OF TURKEY MINISTRY
OF CULTURE AND TOURISM)
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