Known in Turkey as “Beautiful Izmir”, the city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate is mild because the heat in summer is tempered by the cool sea breezes. Palm lined avenues and promenades follow the shoreline. In the background the city gently ascends the sloping mountains in horizontal terraces. The third largest city in Turkey, Izmir’s port is second only to Istanbul. The birthplace of Homer in about 700BC, it is a transport hub today and several important consulates are here. Despite its history the city is modern, built pretty much from scratch after it was looted, plundered and 70% of the city razed to the ground on September 9, 1922. 

The original city was established in the third millennium B.C. and shared with Troy the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia. By 1500 B.C. it had fallen under the influence of the Central Anatolia’s Hittite Empire. In the first millennium B.C., the city ranked as one of the most important cities of the Ionian Federation. Lydian Conquest of this city around 600 B.C. brought this period to an end and Izmir became little more than a village until the city’s Roman Period in the first century B.C., Izmir’s second great era. Byzantine rule followed in the fourth century, Sejluk rule in the 11^th century and inclusion in the Ottoman Empire in 1415. Izmir was the Ottoman Empire’s window to the west, but after World War I Greece was given an indefinite mandate over Izmir. This lasted till the Turkish army entered Izmir on September 9, 1922, and systematically looted, plundered and burnt 70% of the city to the ground. As a result, much of Izmir is rebuilt and restored. Izmir despite its historical background is a modern city with its palm-lined boulevards. The city is now the headquarters of NATO Southeast. 

For detailed information on governance, economy, climate, habitat, people & society, see Turkey