Izmir
Izmir is the third largest city of Turkey, located at the beginning of a long narrow gulf called Izmir Gulf that decorated with yachts, passenger ships and gulf steamers. It is surrounded by the Aegean sea on the west and neighbouring provinces are Balıkesir on the north, Manisa on the east, and Aydın on the south.
Izmir occupies a significant place in Turkey’s cultural life with the International Arts Festival (June/July) and International Fair (August/September). The city is known as the Pearl of the Aegean and famous for its beautiful weather and beautiful girls.
The area was already occupied in the 3rd millennium B.C. and it had the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia. In 1500 B.C. it was conquered by Hittite Empire. Smyrna, which is the ancient name of Izmir, was one of the most important cities of the Ionian Federation in the 1st millenium B.C. Homer was born and lived here. It was dominated by the Lydians from 200 B.C. until the Persians got the rule and built a new city in Kadifekale in the 4th century B.C. From the first century B.C. to 1415 the city was ruled by the Byzantines, Seljuks and at last by the Ottoman Empire.
Izmir province has 30 districts: Aliaga, Balcova, Bayindir, Bayrakli, Bregama, Beydag, Bornova, Buca, Cesme, Cigli, Dikili, Foca, Gaziemir, Guzelbahce, Karabaglar, Karaburun, Karsiyaka, Kemalpasa, Kinik, Kiraz, Konak, Menderes, Menemen, Narlidere, Odemis, Seferihisar, Selcuk, Tire, Torbali, Urla
The Cesme Peninsula, lies west of Izmir is one of Turkey’s most beautiful coasts surrounded by the Aegean Sea, with a landscape of aniseed, sesame and artichoke fields, olive, fig and gum trees. The name “Cesme” which means fountain in Turkish, refers to the springs found in here during the 18th and 19th centuries. Cesme offers its visitors natural bays where you can swim in peace, restaurants, beach clubs, a very wide range of water sports and entertainment facilities.
The bay in Ilica district of Izmir is very popular with its white sandy beach and ideal for water sports such as windsurfing and sailing. On the road to Cesme you can see Balcova, where you can find Turkey’s largest thermal spas, with excellent facilities.
There is a small seaside village located 20 km northeast of Cesme called Ildiri which was the city Erythrai during the ancient period.
You can sea the windmills ornating the hill above the beautiful Aegean town Alacati that lies to the south inland from Ilica.
Urla town, known as Clazomenae in ancient times, offers a marina and many restaurants, bars, caffees and shops on its shore.
