Ä°zmir: Turkey

Ä°zmir: Turkey
Izmir (Turkish spelling Ä°zmir, contraction of its original Greek name Smyrna, ΣμυÏ?νη), the second-largest port (after Ä°stanbul) 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.
Modern Izmir
The clock tower in Izmir’s Konak Square
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 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.
Izmir will host the Summer Universiade in 2005.