Izmir has become the 3rd most popular city in Turkey and has the largest port only after Istanbul. It is located by the Aegean Sea in the Gulf of Izmir. The 9 municipal districts compose the city of Izmir. These are Narlidere, Konak, Karsiyaka, Guzelbahce, Gaziemir, Cigli, Buca, Barnova and Balcova. Each of the districts has their own diverse features and character.

As of 2007, the population has become 2,649,582. 2,606,924 of these are urban. The total surface area of the 9 districts is over 855 square kilometers. The city has almost three and a half millenniums of urban past, and has a much more advanced human settlement.

Its port is the first used for exports and in 1990, a Turkish-U.S. combined project created a free zone which leads twenty others in Turkey. It has a growing class of young professionals assembled usually inside the city or within the immediate vicinity. They are often employed in large companies to establish a name for themselves in a larger global scale and power. In terms of ideology, lifestyle, values and gender roles, Izmir is one of the most liberal cities in Turkey.

The republican people’s party has a large stronghold of the city. In June and July, Izmir hosts an international arts festival. The Izmir International fair is among one of them. Anden Mendres Airport serves many national and international flights along with a rapid transit line going from the southwest to the northeast.

In 1971, Izmir was the host to the Mediterranean Games, and in 2005, the World University Games. It made a bid to host the Universal Expo 2015 but was out proposed by Milan. Modern Izmir also includes ancient cities such as Pergamon, Sardis, Klazomenai and Ephesus. It also centers international tourism such as Foca, Cesme and Kusadasi.

Transportation

The Anden Menderes Airport provides service to Turkey and other International destinations. It opened a new international terminal in 2006, and is starting to become on the busiest airports in Turkey. There are shuttles that provide city-airport transportation.

There are only two lines the shuttle follows, the northern part Karisyaka and the southern part Alsancak. Taking a train is an alternative but is considerably slow. Taxis can be costly depending on the distance you will travel.

There is a recently built bus terminal in the suburb of Altindag near the outskirts of the city. It has stop points throughout Turkey. It is easy to get to the bus terminal since the company offers a shuttle that will pick up the passengers from their branches and drop them at the terminal.

Sights to See in Izmir

The tomb of Tantalus can be seen standing on top of Mount Yamanlar. It is an example of tholos type of monumental tombs. One of the most distinct features of Izmir is the Clock Tower in the harbor. It is a stunning marble tower that stands in the center of the Konak district. It stands at 25 meters. The design came from the French architect, Raymond Charles Père for the remembrance of the 25th anniversary of Abdülhamid II ascension in 1901. Kaiser Wilhelm II of the then Ottoman Empire gave the clock workings as a gift. There are fountains placed on the base of the tower in a circular pattern and the columns were motivated by North African Themes.

In the slopes near Kadifekale rests the Kemeralti bazaar set up by the Ottomans. Izmir historically had three castles, the Kadifekale, Sancakkale and the Ok Kalesi which remained essential to Izmir's security. Sancakkle can be located in present day İnciraltı quarter in the middle of the Narlidere and Balçova districts. They are on the southern shore in the gulf of Izmir.

Nine Synagogues are in Izmir, situated in the quarter of Karatas or the Havra Sokak in Kemeralti due to the concentration of Jews there. They contain the style of the 19th century due to building or reconstruction of former buildings.

A bird sanctuary, Izmir Birds Paradise near Karşıyaka in Çiğli, has over 205 different bird species. There are 63 domestic birds’ species, 54 summer birds species 43 winter birds, 30 transit bird species and 56 species in the park have been breeding. The bird’s paradise covers over 80 square kilometres. It was registered as a protected area for breeding in 1082 by the Ministry of Forestry. Izmir has a hectic calendar full of exhibitions and trade fairs.

The International Union Fairs in Kültürpark covers a staggering 420,000 square meters in the centre of the city. Every year, over 35 different fairs, national and international, are held in different areas. They have done a great contribution to the social and cultural life of Izmir.

Cuisine

Izmir’s cuisine has a wide variety of food from the Anatolian, Aegean and Mediterranean regions due to its multicultural history. A large land area surrounding the region grows a wealthy range of vegetables. Some of the dishes found here in Izmir are the tahara soup, made from tomatoes and dried yogurt. Mücver is made from eggs and zucchini. Zerde is sweetened rice and saffron and Keşkek, boiled wheat and meat.

Climate

Izmir is regarded by long hot summers and placid rainy winters. Izmir averages a total of 706 mm of precipitation per year. But during November to March it falls down to 77%. In winter, the average temperatures fluctuate between 12 to 14 degrees Celsius. Snow has been experienced on January to February but it is still a very rare occurrence. Daytime temperatures average 30 degrees Celsius or higher in the summer.

Invest in Izmir

There are many investment opportunities in Izmir. The biggest is in land development. Many international companies have already started in developing housing, agricultural and industrial sites in Izmir. Property value is expected to rise in the following years. To buy property now would be a wise choice as housing is rapidly spreading and industrial factories are already in construction to provide job opportunities. Real estate would be a good investment as the city is steadily advancing to the future.