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Medical Brokerage Event May 25, 2010
Izmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial centre, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains and was. The broad boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centres are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th entury market and old mosques and churches, although the city has an atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey. |
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Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and its port is second only to Istanbul. A cosmopolitan and lively city all year round, Izmir is especially vibrant during the international Arts Festival (June/July) and the International Fair (August/September).
The history of Izmir stretches back to around 3000 B.C. when the Trojans founded the city in Tepekule in the northern suburb of Bayrakli. This was the birthplace of Homer, who was thought to have lived here around the 8th century B.C. The Aeolians, the first settlers, were eventually taken over by the Ionians, and then the Lydians destroyed the city around 600BC before a brief recovery following Alexander the Great’s arrival in 334 BC.
After his death, Alexander’s generals followed his wishes and re-established Smyrna on Mount Pagos in Kadifekale, and the city then prospered under the Romans. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 178 A.D. but later reconstructed and became a major commercial port. After the Byzantines, the city had a turbulent time under the Arabs, Seljukians, Crusaders and Mongols, until Mehmet I incorporated it into the Ottoman Empire in 1415. Under Suleyman the Magnificent, Smyrna became a thriving and sophisticated city and a huge trading centre, despite its frequent earthquakes. It was cosmopolitan, with Greek Orthodox, Jews and Muslims, and many languages were spoken amongst locals and visiting traders.
Following World War I and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, Greece was granted a mandate over Izmir and entered the area, coming against the resistance of Ataturk’s nationalists. This resulted in a 3-day bloody battle, during which 70% of the city was burned to the ground and thousands were killed, and the beaten Greeks eventually left on the waiting ships. Ataturk formally took Izmir on 9 September 1922, considered to be the day of victory in the War of Independence and is a national holiday.
With characteristics quite typical of a Mediterranean climate, the summers are hot and dry with an average temperature of 28°C in July and August, and winters cool and rainy at around 10°C. Because of its location, the city tends to be a little cooler that the rest of the region, and the average water temperature varies between 11°C (January) to 26°C (August).
The climate is comfortable, with a relatively mild summer due to the refreshing breeze from the Aegean. The long attractive palm-fringed promenade, Birinci 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.
Izmir's districts are;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, Torbali and Urla.
Sites of interest; Dikili, Foca, Cesme, Seferihisar and Gumuldur Shores, Balcova-Catalkaya Cable Lift, Asansor (Lift), Yamanlar-Karagol, Tunay, Uzunkuyu, Belkahand and Camlik Forest Recreation Areas, Balcova-Agamemnon, Cesme-Sifne, Bergama-Guzellik, Menemen, Seferihisar, Bayindir, Foca (Phokaia), Larisa, Erythrai, Klazomenai, Teos, Lebedos, Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Efes (Ephesos) Antique City Ruins, House of Virgin Mary, Bayrakli, Kadifekale, Artemis Bath, Kizilcullu and Selcuk Aquaducts, Agora of Izmir, Cesme and Selcuk Castles, Belevi Tumulus and Grave Monument, Bergama, Odemis and Tire Grand Mosques, Faik Pasha, Hisar, Haci Huseyin (Basdurak), Kestane Pazari, Ali Aga, Hatuniye, Corak Kapi, Konak, Kursunlu, Sadirvan, Ikicesmelik, Salepcioglu, Isa Bey, Mehmed Bey, Kazganoglu, Yeni, Pasha and Rustem Pasha Mosques, Kizlaragasi, Mirkelamoglu and Karaosmanoglu Inns, Sultan Sah, Mehmed Bey, Ibn Melek and Suleyman Sah mausoleums, Izmir Clock Tower, Izmir Ataturk and Menemen Kubilay Monuments, International Izmir Exposition, Izmir Archeology, Izmir Art and Sculpture, Izmir Ataturk, Efes Archeology, Bergama and Tire Museums.