Shows the Location of the Province İzmir

Izmir from space, June 1996

Izmir (Turkish spelling İzmir, contraction of its former name Smyrna), the second-largest port (after İstanbul) and the third most populous city (2,409,000 in 2000) of Turkey, is located on the Aegean Sea near the Gulf of Izmir. It is the capital of the Izmir Province. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (639x639, 166 KB)Izmir, Turkey - June 1996 image description here File links The following pages link to this file: Izmir Categories: NASA images ... Download high resolution version (639x639, 166 KB)Izmir, Turkey - June 1996 image description here File links The following pages link to this file: Izmir Categories: NASA images ... For other meanings of Smyrna, see Smyrna (disambiguation). ... Shows the Location of the Province Ä°stanbul Istanbul (Turkish: Ä°stanbul; a contraction of Greek εις την πολιν into the city, the former Constantinople, Κωνσταντινούπολις) is the largest city in Turkey, and arguably the most important. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... the Aegean Sea Satellite view of the island Santorini, in the Aegean Sea The Aegean Sea (Greek: Αιγαίον Πέλαγος, Aigaion Pelagos) is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, located between the Greek peninsula and Anatolia (Asia Minor, now part of Turkey). ... Shows the Location of the Province Ä°zmir Izmir (Turkish spelling Ä°zmir) is a province of Turkey in the western Anatolia on the Aegean coast. ... Provinces of Turkey are called iller in Turkish, singular is il (see Turkish alphabet for capitalization of i). ...

History

(See also: Smyrna.) For other meanings of Smyrna, see Smyrna (disambiguation). ...

Etymology: The name "Izmir" is derived from the former name, Smyrna. It is pronounced as "I ZMIRNI" in Greek, meaning Smyrna (with its article) thus becomes "İZMİR" in Turkish.

The 5000 year-old city, is one of the oldest cities of the Mediterranean basin. The original city was established in the third millennium BC (at present day Bayraklı,Karsiyaka), at which time it shared with Troy the most advanced culture in Anatolia. By 1500 BC it had fallen under the influence of Central Anatolian Hittite Empire. Greek settlement is attested by the presence of pottery dating from about 1000 BC. According to the famous Greek historian Herodotus (from Halicarnassus, modern-day Bodrum) the city was first established by the Aeolians, but shortly thereafter seized by the Ionians who developed it into one of the world's largest cultural and commercial centers of that period. Satellite image The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land, on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia. ... Karsiyaka,Izmir Karsiyaka, a suburb of Izmir, in Izmir province, situated north of the Gulf of Izmir, an inlet of the Aegean Sea, Karsiyaka borders an industrial zone and a shipping yard to the east and a large forested area to the north. ... Walls of the excavated city of Troy (Turkey) This article is about the city of Troy / Ilion as described in the works of Homer, and the location of an ancient city associated with it. ... Anatolia (Greek: ανατολή anatolÄ“ or anatolí, rising of the sun or East; compare Orient and Levant, by popular etymology Turkish associated with Anadolu to ana mother and dolu filled), also called by the Latin name of Asia Minor, is a region of Southwest Asia which corresponds today to the Asian portion... (Redirected from 1500 BC) Centuries: 17th century BC - 16th century BC - 15th century BC Decades: 1550s BC 1540s BC 1530s BC 1520s BC 1510s BC - 1500s BC - 1490s BC 1480s BC 1470s BC 1460s BC 1450s BC Events and Trends Stonehenge built in Wiltshire, England The element Mercury has been... Relief of Suppiluliuma II, last known king of the Hittite Empire Hittites is the conventional English-language term for an ancient people who spoke an Indo-European language and established a kingdom centered in Hattusa (the modern village of BoÄŸazköy in north-central Turkey), through most of the... Äž Ăǘē ĒØĂŷ ĞŐąËò Bust of Herodotus Herodotus of Halicarnassus (Greek: ΗΡΟΔΟΤΟΣ, Herodotos) was an ancient historian who lived in the 5th century BC (484 BC-ca. ... Map of the Aegean Sea, showing the location of Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum, Turkey) Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum), an ancient Greek city on the southwest coast of Caria, Asia Minor, on a picturesque and advantageous site on the Ceramic Gulf or Gulf of Cos. ... Panoramic view of Bodrum, with the Castle in the center Bodrum (ancient-Greek name: Αλικαρνασσός Halicarnassus; older English name: Budrum) is a Turkish port in MuÄŸla Province in a part of Asia Minor known in ancient times as Caria. ... Aeolis (Aiolis) or Aeolia (Aiolia) was an area in west and northwest Asia Minor, mostly along the coast and offshore islands (particularly Lesbos), where the Aeolian Greek city_states were located. ... Ionia (Greek Ιωνία) was an ancient region of southwestern coastal Anatolia (now in Turkey) on the Aegean Sea. ...

Ancient Smyrna was founded on an island at the northeast of the bay. During the recent centuries, Bornova Plain had been formed with the silt that was brought by torrents of River Meles from Mount Yamanlar (Sipylos) and the peninsula finally transformed into a hill.

A sample wine yard of İzmir Wine and Beer Factory of TEKEL Management is located on this hill called s Tepekule.

Although the first habitation of İzmir known to be dated from long before 3000 B.C., excavations could only go back to 3000 B.C. In the light of the excavations, it is known that the first settlements were founded at the top of the hill at 3-5m high from sea level. This first settlement was dated from Ancient Bronze Age.

Hittites were using the writing (in 1800 to 1200 B.C.) in Anatolia, which helped to reach the historic ages. However, in 1200s B.C., the tribes coming from Balkans demolished Troy VII and Hattusas, the capital of Hittites. With this, a Dark Age called Iron Age restarted in Middle and West Anatolia. The Iron Age continued until writing was rediscovered in 730 B.C. in Phrygian Kingdom and in 650 B.C. in the rest of the Middle and West Anatolia.

During the Iron Age the houses were huge, small, one roomed buildings. The oldest house that has been finally brought to daylight is dated at 925 to 900 B.C. The walls of this well-preserved one roomed house (2, 45 x 4 m) were all made of sun-dried bricks and the roof of the house was made of reeds.

People started to protect their hometown with thick ramparts made of sun-dried bricks. From now on İzmir achieved an identity of city-state. A man called Baseleus was most probably in charge of the city. Migrants and bigwigs constituted the noble class. The population living inside the city walls were approximately a thousand people. The public of city-state was living in near-by villages. The fields, olive trees, wine yards, and the workshops of potters and stonecutters of ancient İzmir were all located in those villages. People made their living on agriculture and fishing.

HOMER, SON OF MELES The first and the greatest poet of history and the poet of the legendary works named Iliad and Odyssey, Homer was born in İzmir. There is no other poet like Homer, who lived between 750-700 B.C. and affected all civilizations in the world. Seven cities claimed that Homer is their countryman. These cities are Salamis, Argos, Athens, Rhodes, Chios, Kolophon, and Smyrna. It is impossible for him to be from Salamis, Argos, Athens or Rhodos since he wrote his legends with a mixture of Ionian-Aeolian style that are particularly Anatolian dialects. He is said to be exiled to Chios. For this reason there is a place called Homer Rocks on the particular island. Moreover, the most favourite nickname of Homer was ‘Melesigenes’ which means ‘Child of Meles Brook’. It becomes obvious that Homer was born in İzmir since Meles Brook is located within the territory of the city. Homer’s masterpiece Iliad Legend that tells about the last forty days of the war that had continued for ten years between the Greeks and the Anatolian Trojans is constitute of 16.000 lines. It is obvious that patriot Homer supported the Trojans and showed Greek leaders and warriors as truculent and cruel in this legend. This essentially proves that Homer is an Anatolian. Bust of Homer in the British Museum For other uses, see Homer (disambiguation). ...

Homer

Homer’s second epic ‘Odyssey’, on the other hand, tells about the period ten years after the Trojan War. The trial of a warrior named ‘Odysseus’ who is trying to return to his hometown is told in the epic. The epic is constituted of 12.000 lines. The oldest records of history and culture; ‘‘Iliad’’ and ‘‘Odyssey’’ continue their poetic influence in today’s world as the most impressive stories of world literature. Aristotle tells about the birth of Homer as: ‘‘Kriteis, the daughter of Ios Island gets pregnant by a deity during the Ion Migration. Although, she escapes to Egina, the pirates present her to the Lydian King Maion in İzmir. Kriteis falls in love with the king and they get married. After a while, Kriteis gives birth to Homer near Meles Brook and dies after. Maion brings this child up and names him as ‘Melesigenes’ (‘Child of Meles’) to emphasize the place where he was born.’’ Although, various writers of antique age told different stories they agreed on two subjects concerning his life: The blind Homer was born in İzmir and read his poems in the shores of Meles Brook and sing his legends with the accompaniment of lyre near the brook which flows to mingle with the sea. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

The most important sacred place of the town was the Temple of Athens. The oldest ruin preserved until today dates back to 725-700 B.C.

The period in which the city had reached its peak was between 650-545 B.C... This period lasted hundred-years and was considered to be the most powerful period of the whole Ion Civilization. Under the leadership of Miletos, colonies were established in Egypt, Syria, west coasts of Lebanon, Marmara Region, Black sea and East Hellen competed and replaced the place of Greece in various fields and subjects. In this period, it is apparent that İzmir not only dealed with agriculture but also participated in Mediterranean trade.

One of the most important signs of that great period in İzmir is the spreading of writing out beginning with 650 B.C. There were many presentation inscriptions in the gifts that were dedicated to Goddess Athena. Few people among the public were literate. The temple of Athens found in excavations dated back to 640-580 B.C. The oldest and the most beautiful capitals have been found in İzmir.

The oldest model of many-roomed-type house of this period was found in ancient İzmir. Known to be the oldest house having so many rooms under its roof, this house was built in the second half of 7th century B.C. The house is two-floored and has five rooms with a courtyard. The houses before this type were composed of megarons standing adjacent to each other. Izmir was built on the Hippodamian system in which streets intersect at right angles even in the second half of 7th century, the streets were lying from north to south, and from east to west directions and the houses all overlooked to the south.

This city plan, which would take the name of Hippodamos later in 5th century B.C., had already been known in Near East. Bayraklı city plan is the earliest model of this type in the West. The oldest parquetry road of Ion Civilization was brought to daylight in Ancient İzmir

The oldest civil work of architecture in Ancient İzmir, belonging to Hellen’s is the beautiful stone fountain, built in the first half of 7th century. Standing on the Mt Yamanlar, the Tomb of Tantalos is a beautiful sample of the tholos type monumental tombs. The grave room of Tantalos’ tumulus was in the plan of the mentioned fountain, displaying a style called isopata that means the construction has a rectangle plan, covered by vaults made with corbel technique. Known as Tomb of Tantalos this monumental work is thought to be the tomb of Basileus or Tyrant who ruled ancient Smyrna in 580-520 B.C.

TANTALOS IN MYTHOLOGY Tantalos, the son of Zeus was the only mortal that can dine with gods. He was so proud that he started to look down on the gods. In order to show the gods as cannibals, he sacrificed his son Pelops and served him in the dinner. However, the gods realized that it was human meat and left the table and sent Tantalos to hell. Tantalos stands in knee-deep clean water, but anytime he bends over to drink, the water is sucked up by the ground.

Whenever he wants to reach the most delicious fruits hanging above him, they rise up. In abundance of food and water, King Tantalos suffered from hunger and thirst since then it is called Tantalos Torture.

The English word ‘tantalize’which means ‘‘desiring something but inability of getting’’ comes from this mythological story.

The richness of the city impressed the Lydians and caused them to battle with İzmir. Lydian army captured the city in 610-600 B.C and they fired and destroyed İzmir. However, the people managed to re-build their city again.

The fall of Ancient İzmir is the result of the Persian invasion. Persian emperor required the towns of Aegean coast to prop himself against Lydians while their army was going forward in Anatolia. In order to punish the towns, which refuse to support him, the Persian Emperor attacked İzmir with the other towns after conquering Sardis, the capital of Lydia. As a result of the attacks of Persian army, İzmir was destroyed in 545 B.C. After this great destruction, no city type settlement was observed in Bayraklı.

Alexander the Great defeated Darius in Issus in 333 B.C. and captured the whole East. The cities witnessed a great increase in population. During this period, Alexandria, Rhodes, Pergamon, and Ephesus reached a population over 100.000. A few thousand people could live in the city walls of ancient İzmir founded on a small hill. Therefore, a new larger city was established on the skirts of Kadifekale in 300 B.C. Alexander the Great fighting the Persian king Darius (Pompeii mosaic, from a 3rd century BC original Greek painting, now lost). ... Antiquity and modernity stand cheek-by-jowl in Egypts chief Mediterranean seaport (This template has been listed for deletion) Located on the Mediterranean Sea coast, Alexandria (in Arabic, الإسكندرية, transliterated al-ʼIskandariyyah) is the chief seaport in Egypt, and that countrys second largest city, and the capital of the... Pergamon or Pergamum (modern day Bergama in Turkey) was a Greek city, in northwestern Anatolia, 16 miles from the Aegean Sea, located on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus (modern day Bakir), that became an important kingdom during the Hellenistic period, under the Attalid dynasty, 282... Ephesus (Greek: Έφεσσος) was one of the great cities of the Ionian Greeks in Asia Minor, located in Lydia where the Cayster river flows into the Aegean Sea (in modern day Turkey). ... Other languages FAQs | Table free Welcome to Wikipedia, the free-content encyclopedia that anyone can edit. ...

Becoming a Roman territory in 133 B.C., İzmir started to live a golden period for the second time. Due to the importance that the city achieved, the Roman Emperors who came to Anatolia also visited İzmir. Emperor Hadrianus also visited İzmir in his journey in 121 to 125 AD.

The most important event that İzmir witnessed in 178 AD was the devastating earthquake. Considered to be one of the severest disasters happened in the city, the earthquake razed the town to the ground in 178 AD. The destruction was so big that the support of the Empire for re-building was inevitable. Emperor Marcus Aurelius had such a great contribution in the rebuilding activities that the city was even founded again. Other languages FAQs | Table free Welcome to Wikipedia, the free-content encyclopedia that anyone can edit. ... Marcus Aurelius alabaster bust. ...

Various works of art are thought to be made in the city during the period of Roman Empire. The streets were completely covered with stones and these stones became dominant in the general view of the city. Among the constructions that were built in İzmir during the Roman era, few traces remained from the stadium at west and from the theatre in the northwest skirt of Mount Pagos. On the other hand, the Agora of the state is well preserved. The Roman Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Ancient Roman polity in the centuries following its reorganization under the leadership of Octavian (better known as Caesar Augustus). ...

After the Roman Empire had been separated, İzmir became a territory of the East Roman Empire known as Byzantium. İzmir had become a religious center since the early times of Byzantines. However, the city did not display much progress. Although the Hun Emperor Attilla took the control of the city, this sovereignty could not last long and the city was taken back by the Byzantines. The Roman Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Ancient Roman polity in the centuries following its reorganization under the leadership of Octavian (better known as Caesar Augustus). ... Byzantium was the original name of the modern city of Istanbul. ...

Turks first captured İzmir under the command of Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Şah in 1076. Çakabey conquered Klazomenai, Foça, Chios, Samos and İstankoy Islands. After the death of Çakabey, the town and its vicinity was conquered by the Byzantines in 1098. İzmir was captured by the Knights of Rhodes when Istanbul was conquered by crusaders. There is also a Samos in Middlesex County in the eastern part of Virginia, see Samos, Virginia. ...

Smyrna became a Turkish land when the Turkish sailor Umur Bey took the city back from Catholic Knights in 1320. During the period of principalities, some part of the city and its surroundings was taken under the sovereignty of both Aydınogulları and Saruhanogulları Principalities.

Murat II occupied İzmir in 1422 and İzmir became an Ottoman territory. After some privileges were given to foreigners in 1620, İzmir became one of the most important trade centers of Ottomans. Consulates of foreign countries increased because of the capitulations given to Europe by the Ottomans. It is known that these consulates dealt with trade. Each consulate had its own quay and their ships were anchoring there. The fire İzmir witnessed after the devastating earthquake happened in 1688, demolished the whole city. However, after the fire and the earthquake the city was rapidly reconstructed. In 18th and 19th centuries, İzmir became popular among the French, English, Dutch and Italian merchants. Being a multinational trade center in Ottoman Empire, İzmir was occupied by Greek Army on 15 May 1919 . This occupation came to an end on September 9, 1922. However, on September 13, İzmir could not escape from experiencing probably the greatest disaster of its history. The fire, which started in Basmane Quarter, destroyed more than 20.000 buildings in an area of 2.600.000 m². This fire unfortunately destroyed ¾ of the city. However, the city rose again like a Phoenix from its ashes after the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Murad II Murad II (1404–February 3, 1451) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1451 (except for a period from 1444 to 1446). ... Other languages FAQs | Table free Welcome to Wikipedia, the free-content encyclopedia that anyone can edit. ... The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power Imperial motto El Muzaffer Daima The Ever Victorious (as written in tugra) Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital İstanbul ( Constantinople/Asitane/Konstantiniyye ) Sovereigns Sultans of the Osmanli Dynasty Population ca 40 million Area 12+ million km² Establishment 1299 Dissolution October 29, 1923... The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power Imperial motto El Muzaffer Daima The Ever Victorious (as written in tugra) Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital İstanbul ( Constantinople/Asitane/Konstantiniyye ) Sovereigns Sultans of the Osmanli Dynasty Population ca 40 million Area 12+ million km² Establishment 1299 Dissolution October 29, 1923... This page has been protected from editing to deal with vandalism. ...

Modern Izmir

The clock tower in Izmir's Konak Square

Izmir, Third biggest city of Turkey

Today, Izmir is Turkey's third largest city and is nicknamed "Occidental Izmir" or "The pearl of Aegean". It is widely regarded as the most Westernized city of Turkey in terms of values, ideology, lifestyle, and gender roles. It is a stronghold of CHP. The clock tower in Izmir From a brochure prepared by Turkish Ministry of Tourism, General Directoraete of Information, marked as For Free Distribution. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The clock tower in Izmir From a brochure prepared by Turkish Ministry of Tourism, General Directoraete of Information, marked as For Free Distribution. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Image File history File links Izmir, Third biggest city of Turkey File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Izmir, Third biggest city of Turkey File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Republican Peoples Party (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi or CHP) is a social democratic and secular Turkish nationalist political party in Turkey. ...

Izmir is also home-town of some famous singers like Sezen Aksu. Sezen Aksu Sezen Aksu (born 13 July 1954) is a Turkish pop music singer, popular both with a mass audience in Turkey, and with world music fans internationally. ...

The city hosts an international arts festival during June/July, and an international fair during August/September every year.

Modern Izmir also incorporates world-famous ancient cities like Ephesus, Pergamon, and Sardis. Turkish Internet phenomenon Mahir Cagri is a resident. Ephesus (Greek: Έφεσσος) was one of the great cities of the Ionian Greeks in Asia Minor, located in Lydia where the Cayster river flows into the Aegean Sea (in modern day Turkey). ... Pergamon or Pergamum (modern day Bergama in Turkey) was a Greek city, in northwestern Anatolia, 16 miles from the Aegean Sea, located on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus (modern day Bakir), that became an important kingdom during the Hellenistic period, under the Attalid dynasty, 282... Sardis, (also Sardes) the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, the seat of a conventus under the Roman Empire, and the metropolis of the province Lydia in later Roman and Byzantine times, was situated in the middle Hermus valley, at the foot of Mt. ... Mahir Cagri Mahir Cagri (in Turkish Mahir Çağrı) a resident of Izmir, Turkey, became an Internet celebrity in 1999. ...

There is one modern subway line running Southwest to Northeast.

Climate

People coming to Izmir can expect long, hot summers and mild, rainy winters. The total precipitation for Izmir averages 27.8 inches (706 mm) per year; however, 77 % of that falls during November through March. The average maximum temperatures during the winter months vary between 12 and 14 °C. Although it's rare, snow has been recorded in Izmir in January and February. The summer months -- June through September - bring average daytime temperatures of 28 °C or higher.

Many people install fans or air conditioners to cool their apartments. Rain is extremely rare in the summer and you may have to undergo water rationing before the rains come in the fall.

Izmir International Fair

The Izmir International Fair (IIF), the only member of the Union of International Fairs in Turkey, was held on an area of 421.000m2. In accordance with the rapid and dramatic developments in Turkish economy, IFF has been organising various national and international specialized fairs for years. IIF also made great contributions to İzmir’s social and cultural life with its fair ground, open-air theatre, Painting and Sculpture Museum, art centers, amusement park, zoo and parachute tower.

Izmir International Fair

Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Birds Paradise

Izmir Birds Paradise

Izmir Bird 's Paradise located 15 km west of Karşıyaka, has 205 species of birds. There are 63 species of domestic birds, 54 species of summer migratory birds, 43 species of winter migratory birds, 30 spices of transit birds. 56 spices of birds have been breeding in the Park. Izmir Bird's Paradise which covers 80 square kilometres was registered as "The protected area for water birds and for their breeding" by Ministry of Forestry in 1982. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Cuisine of Izmir

Izmir’s cuisine has largely been affected by its multicultural history, hence the large variety of food originating from the Aegean, Mediterranean and Anatolian regions. Another factor is the large area of land surrounding the region which grows a rich selection of vegetables. Some of the common dishes found here are tarhana soup (made from dried yoghurt and tomatoes), Izmir meatballs, keskek (boiled wheat with meat) zerde (sweetened rice with saffron) and mucver (made from squash and eggs). Greece and the Aegean Sea The Aegean sea in Greece as seen from the island of Greek: Αιγαίον Πέλαγος, Aigaion Pelagos; Turkish: Ege denizi) is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, located between the Greek peninsula and Anatolia (Asia Minor, now part of Turkey). ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... Anatolian can refer to: Someone or something from Anatolia The Anatolian Shepherd Dog This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Festivals

International Izmir Festival beginning in mid-June and continues to mid-July, has been organised since 1987. During the annual festival, many world-class performers-soloists and virtuosi, orchestras, dance companies, rock and jazz groups including Ray Charles, Paco de Lucia, Joan Baez, Martha Graham Dance Company, Tanita Tikaram, JethroTull, Leningrad Philarmony Orchestra, Christ De Burg, Sting, Moscow State Philarmony Orchestra, Jan Garbarek, Red Army Chorus, Academy of St. Martin in the Field, Kodo, Chick Corea and Origin, New York City Ballet, Nigel Kennedy, Bryan Adams, James Brown, Elton John, Kiri Te Kanawa, Barshnikov and Josè Carreras gave recitals and performances at various venues in the city and surrounding areas, including the ancient theatres at Ephesus and Metropolis. Ray Charles at the piano. ... Paco de Lucía is an internationally recognized Spanish flamenco guitarist, and leading exponent of the New Flamenco style. ... Joan Baezs 1975 bestseller Diamonds & Rust. ... Tanita Tikaram (born August 12, 1969) is a pop/folk singer/songwriter. ... Sting can mean: In biology a sting is the part of a number of animals, such as wasps, bees and scorpions, that delivers a poison when used to pierce the skin of another animal. ... Jan Garbarek (born March 4, 1947) is a Norwegian tenor and soprano saxophonist active in the jazz, classical, and world music genres. ... Kodō is one of the most elite taiko drumming groups today. ... The New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. ... Nigel Kennedy (born December 28, 1956 in Brighton, England) is a violinist and violist. ... Bryan Adams Bryan Adams, OC, OBC (born November 5, 1959) is a successful Canadian singer and songwriter. ... James Brown is the name of several notable people: James Brown, soul and funk singer and bandleader, born 1933 James Brown, American TV personality, born 1955 James Brown, U.S. Senator from Louisiana (1766-1835) James Brown, British music journalist and magazine editor Jim Brown, né James Nathaniel Brown, American... Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born March 25, 1947) is a British rock music singer, songwriter, and pianist who is one of the most successful solo artists in music history. ... Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ DBE AO (March 6, 1944), is a well-known New Zealand opera singer of Maori ancestry. ...

IZMIR EUROPEAN JAZZ FESTIVAL is among the numerous events organized every year by IKSEV (The Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education) since 1994. The Festival aims to bring together masters and lovers of Jazz in attempt of generating feelings of love, friendship and peace.. Jazz is a musical art form characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms, and improvisation. ...

Sports

Notable football clubs in Izmir are: Altay SK, Göztepe SK, İzmirspor and Karşıyaka SK. Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ...

In 1971, the Mediterranean Games were held in Izmir. In August 2005, it hosted the Summer Universiade, the International University Sports Games. 1971 is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport games held every four years for nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea. ... a bust ... The Universiade is an international multi-sport event, organized for university athletes, by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). ...

Education

Following universities are located in Izmir:

• Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi
• Ege Üniversitesi
• Izmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi
• Izmir Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü
• Yaşar Üniversitesi

// History Dokuz Eylül University was founded on 20 July 1982. ...

Districts

Aliağa: Aliağa, which is 60 km. north of İzmir, have signes of İzmir and Bergama civilizations. 4 of the 12 cities, composing the biggest and most important ones among Aiol cities, whose number is exceeding 30 at Aegean coasts, are within Aigaia, Kyme, Myrna and Gryneion province territories. Bergama, Turkey is the modern-day city that was known two millennia ago as Pergamum or Pergamon, home to the great world library. ...

Dikili: Dikili is a pretty province and popular summer resort, around 120km north of Izmir. Candarli is nearby, and the area is full of natural beauty as well as historical interest. There is a crater lake in Medivenli village, and pine groves and ancient caverns in Demirtas and Delitas. The area is also famous for its hot springs, which can be found in Nebiler, Bademli and Kocaoba villages. The port at Dikili is large enough for three passenger ships, and is a good transport connection.

Seferihisar: Teos antic city at Sığacık region, Karaköse ruins at Doğanbey - Gerenalanı region, former settlement area constructed within castle and castle, constructed by Ottomans at Sığacık, monumental structures of Seljukian and Ottoman period at province center of the province, whose settlement history reaches till 1000 B. C., are composing the archeological and historical source potential of the region. Seferihisar has beautiful beaches and bays with its 27 km. Coastal band. The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power Imperial motto El Muzaffer Daima The Ever Victorious (as written in tugra) Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital İstanbul ( Constantinople/Asitane/Konstantiniyye ) Sovereigns Sultans of the Osmanli Dynasty Population ca 40 million Area 12+ million km² Establishment 1299 Dissolution October 29, 1923...

Menderes: Menderes province, which draws attention with its satsuma, beautiful bays and historical values, is 20 km. away from İzmir. Lebedos Antic City is at west of province at Ürkmez region. Ruins of Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Lebedos Antic Cities, which are on Menderes - Seljukian road as adjacent to each other, are composing the important archeological sources of the province. Gümüldür borough is the producer region of Satsuma, which is a world famous kind of tangerine. Özdere is one of the nine big tourism regions of Aegean Region, and it is a tourism borough where amateur fishermen can fish besides its clear sea and coast. Various colored and shaped beads which are produced in natives at Görece Village of Menderes, are drawing attention of national and international tourists.

Karaburun: Karaburun is at the northern point of the Urla Peninsula, and its northern and western coasts have beautiful bays surrounding the Izmir bay. There were settlements in this area which date back to the Stone Age, and excavations have indicated it was a developed cultural centre during the Hittite period, then a trading centre during the Aiol, Lydia and Roman civilisations. It is now the newest suburb of Izmir, and has a couple of small guest houses and fish restaurants. Its most dramatic feature is the setting, with villages and orchards clinging to the steep rock face. There is a bus service in the area, although private vehicles offer more possibilities for exploring.

Urla: Urla is in the middle of the peninsula and holds all the characteristics of the Aegean. It lies 38km west of Izmir and used to be a cultural centre with remains unearthed dating back to the Hitties. It was originally the site of the Ionian city of Clazomenae, with probably the oldest regularly used port in the world. Pieces of art and sculpture found during excavations are now exhibited in the Louvre, Athens National Museum and Izmir Archaeology Museum.

Torbalı: An ancient Ionian city, famous for its wines and religious centre, has three marble alters devoted to the Roman Emperor August and his foster child Germanikys, in an ancient theatre which dominates the valley. Pieces of art found during excavations are exhibited in Izmir and Ephesus museums. The town has the remains of an old port and a few holiday complexes, and is set attractively against a pine forest.

Ödemiş: North of Odemis, which is 113km southeast of Izmir, are the ruins of Hypaiapa. The historical importance of the region began with Birgi, west of Odemis, which was the capital during the Aydinogullari period and contained outstanding examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Birgi has been on the World Cultural Heritage list since 1994, and points of interest here include Cakiraga Mansion, Imam-i Birgivi Medrese and Sultan Sah Mausoleum.

Tire: One of the largest towns in the area, Tire is 82km southeast of Izmir and lies at the foot of the Aydin Mountains. Its long cultural heritage includes periods under the Hittites, Frygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans and Byzantines, and developed its strong links with the economy during the Ottoman period. The town has an attractive old quarter with many impressive examples of Islamic architecture, and a lively Tuesday market influenced by the gypsy population in the surrounding villages.

Kemalpaşa: The historical background of Kemalpasa, which lies 29km west of Izmir, dates back to 1300 BC. It was host to the Akkads, Hitties, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations, and was a resort between the Art and Ion cities during Roman and Byzantine times. The only remains from the Hittites in the Aegean region is the Karabel relief, which is in the province. Previously known in ancient times as Nymphaion, the town lies at the foot of Nif mountain at 200m altitude, and is best known for its cherries and pine forests.

Reference

• "İzmir and the Aegean Region", a brochure prepared by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Tourism, 2002, İstanbul.

Media mentioning Izmir

The novel/play Slow Train to Izmir by Mark Angus(?). Slow Train to Izmir is a play written by Mark Angus, a newcomer in the playwriting field. ...

The book "Smyrna 1922 - The Destruction of a City" by Marjorie Housepian Dobkin.

The book "Scotch and Holy Water" by Graham Hancock.

The novel "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides (2002). Jeffrey Eugenides (b. ...

External links

• Pictures of Izmir
• Tourist Information for Izmir
• Izmir International Fair
• Summer Universiade Izmir 2005
• Pictures of the capital of this province with links to nearby places of interest
• Izmir 1922
• Karsiyaka
• Izmir Tourism Central web site
• Izmir Weather Forecast Information