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General Information
The city of Izmir lies on the West Coast of Anatolia and is encircled by rich plains of the Aegean Region. The Aegean Region, which is a unique region in Turkey opening to the sea extensively, ranks second after the Marmara Region in terms of industrialization. The province of Izmir is approximately 12 thousand sq km covering 1.5% of Turkey’s lands (surface area of Turkey is more than 800 thousand sq km), with a population of 3.4 million. Being a metropolitan city with multicultural aspects, it is the third largest city and the second largest industrialized city in Turkey. As an Asian, European and Mediterranean city, Izmir is at the crossroads where land, air and maritime routes intersect.
Besides being the most strategic port city of Turkey, Izmir is located at a central location with respect to many touristic places as well. With its “best climate and the most beautiful sky in the world” as said by Herodotus, Izmir has 629 km of coastal line from Dikili at the north to Selcuk at the south.
With a mythical history of 8,500 years, Izmir proudly hosts a large number of extremely important architectural works and archeological sites. According to the legends, Izmir is the birthplace of Homer. The pearl of Aegean and the princess of the poems of Victor Hugo, Izmir has a long past reaching back to the Early Bronze Age, witnessing the passage of countless civilizations from Hittites to Ionians, Lydians to Persians, Pergamonians to Romans, and Byzantines to Ottomans.
As being a center of culture, trade and civilization, Izmir presents its services to cultural tourism with its countless historical sites reaching to our days from prehistoric times, works and buildings, museums, typical Mediterranean kitchen, handicrafts, festivals, festivities, and other local cultural specialties, as well as offering its respectful participation in the faith tourism with a large collection of sacred places.
Frequently rediscovered during centuries, Izmir managed to maintain its cultural, strategic, and economical significance until today, with its five major universities, the largest organized industry zone of Turkey, wide hinterland, great entrepreneur force, unmatched history, beautiful nature, and open minded, hospitable people.
The Land Area of Izmir
The city of Izmir is located in the western Anatolian Peninsula, in the midst of the beautiful Aegean shoreline. It is surrounded by Balikesir in the north, Manisa in the east and Aydin in the south.
The land area of the city is situated between 37° 45' and 39° 15' North latitude and 26° 15' and 28° 20' East longitude.
From north to south, Izmir measures approximately 200 km; and from east to west, 180 km. In sum, the total area of the city is 12,012 sq km.
History
Izmir is a city of history and archaeology. The city and its surrounding area are adorned with examples of humanity’s greatest legacies from the past. The Agora, Ephesus and Pergamon, as well as other historical and archaeological riches, play a part not only in Izmir and its region’s legacy; but also in the development of civilization over the last 8,500 years.
The Aegean coasts have numerous historical and tourist destinations, beginning from Troy (in the north) to Knidos (in the south). These coasts harbor the Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which are two of the Seven Wonders of the World
Izmir (Smyrna): A brief history of 8500 years.
The new archaeological founding at Yesilova
Tumulus Bornova show that the city has approximately 8500 years of history. The residential area at Yesilova Tumulus belongs to 6500 B.C. On Bornova plain where the first residents were hosted, five more prehistoric tumuli except the tumulus in Yesilova were discovered. Additionally, axes of Paleotic Times discovered in the environs of Izmir, give clues that the history of the city could date back to earlier times.
During the Hellenic immigration period, the first waves brought the Aeolians to the region north of Smyrna. During the Archaic age, Persians invaded Anatolia. During the Classical age, the best examples of the 5th century architecture such as the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus were erected. In 334 B.C., Alexander the Great marched into Anatolia. Thus the cities of western Anatolia gained a new momentum. They continued to flourish during the long Hellenistic period which followed the death of Alexander. During the Roman period, in the western Anatolia, urban settlements grew and prospered. After Roman Empire was divided into two, the region became a battleground between different nations.
Towards the end of the 11th century, the Selçuk Turks advanced as far as the Aegean coast for the first time and captured the city. Smyrna remained in their hands until it was recaptured by the Byzantines in 1097. At this time, Smyrna became famous with its dockyards and ship building capability in addition to its administrative and religious importance. Both Venetian and Genoese merchants visited the city and explored the conditions of controlling Smyrna; this way the city’s fortune was shaped as being a trade center in the future. The Genoese controlled the city for a long period.
Weather Characteristics
Izmir is located under climatic conditions generally known as the Mediterranean Climate; i.e., hot and dry summers, warm and rainy winters. The position of the mountain ranges, all perpendicular to the coast line, allows for these typical characteristics to enter the inner regions of the province. The annual average temperature is 18°C, with the lowest in February, and the highest in July. In spite of a small number of deviations, the average temperatures do not vary significantly within the entire province. Izmir city center and its surroundings receive most of the precipitation when compared to rest of the province, especially in December.
During the months chosen for the Exhibition,
the weather conditions are generally dry, featuring a Mediterranean climate, with high temperatures during the day and mild temperatures at night. A sea breeze prevents temperatures from becoming too extreme.
As can be seen, during the period of the Exhibition maximum temperatures are just over 30°C, with minimum temperatures of 15°C. This means that visitors will find conditions quite comfortable during the day and very pleasant after sunset.
Culture - Arts
The Aegean culture is one of the most important and deep-rooted components of the Mediterranean culture. A tradition of healthy diets, based on the consumption of figs, grapes, olives, olive oil and citrus fruits, is a critical juncture where the demands of the gourmets meet with the preferences of those who desire a more healthy diet. The Aegean cuisine is a feast in which olive oil takes the center stage, accompanied by vegetables and health-sustaining garden herbs.
As the traditional arts continue to bring natural textiles (i.e., treated with natural dyes), agriculture is leading the way with the production of organic cotton. The major elements of this culture include stone buildings of local architecture, direct contact with natural spring waters by local people, and a rural lifestyle that has not severed its links with nature.
It can be said that everything the modern man wants to have in his daily life (wherever he may be) can be found in this region. Additionally, these natural elements can be obtained in a manner that has not been compromised by the detrimental by products of industrialization and modernization.
Izmir has multiple beneficial conditions and elements, including, but not limited to, the following: healthy food consumed at your leisure, a long tradition in wine-making, production of pure cotton materials, availability of mineral-rich, natural waters, a moderate and breezy climate, open-minded and friendly people, the development of a long and healthy life and a pastoral lifestyle, existing in close harmony with a bustling metropolis. In addition to all of these elements, Izmir is also famous for its beautiful women, and men who are masterful farmers of the earth and soil.
In Turkey’s Aegean region, the culinary tradition is more “diversified” than other parts of Mediterranean. Over the centuries, the cuisine of the region has been influenced and enhanced by many national cultures, including Phoenicians, Egyptians, Athenians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, Venetians, the Crusaders and the Arabs. This influence was generated by those who merely passed by and those who settled and introduced their own culinary customs and habits. This interaction has produced the rich mosaic which is now termed “the Aegean cuisine”.
Weaving is an all-important activity in the Aegean settlements. The current primary trends of the fashion world, such as natural dyeing, organic fabrics and handmade prints, are every day products of the village people. The traces of the history of textiles can be understood by observing the designs woven within the local carpets and ‘kilim’s.
Izmir is a city of culture and art. Today, it hosts many international cultural and artistic events, bringing together aesthetics and creativity. These events are the main reasons that Izmir is a central hub of exhibitions, conferences and conventions.
Tourism
With its scenic and historical beauty, mild climate, adequate accommodation facilities and ease of access, Izmir has one of the highest potentials for the growth of tourism. The City of Izmir has many appealing features, including its shoreline, mountains, thermal spring waters, forests and agricultural commodities that are specific to Aegean region.
From city center hotels to holiday resorts that are outside of the city center, Izmir has world-class accommodation facilities to suit the varying needs of the visitors. In Izmir, most of the holiday resorts are located along the coastline, at a short driving distance, and provide water-based sports as well as other forms of entertainment.
Situated at comfortable distances from the airport, most of the Izmir hotels are perfect for those who seek to manage both work and rest at the same time. Most of these hotels have conference halls and meeting rooms for business meetings and transactions. The easy accessibility to the shopping and entertainment centers, from these city-based hotels, ensures that the accompanying family members can always enjoy themselves for the entire duration of their tour, while others are busy in meetings and conferences.
The tourism industry has grown rapidly during the last few years, due to the increase in the disposable income and leisure time, and with the help of advancements in transportation. Accordingly, the tourism industry has become one of the favorite industries for investors. However, this is a rapidly growing market and the success of the establishments is highly influenced by the consumer service and customer perceptions. Consequently, the establishments, in order to be more successful, are trying to understand the requirements and demands of their clients.
The existing infrastructure is efficient, providing drinking water, telecommunications, an electrical system, a sewage system and waste treatment. Ongoing efforts to offer a 12-month tourism season will make it possible to provide services for 200,000 tourists, at any time.
For international markets, cultural tourism is leading the Izmir tourism industry. The results also show that the people of Izmir are very well motivated to support a project related to cultural tourism.
Tourism outside of the main cities has an important place among the individuals who prefer recreational tourism. This type of rural tourism has gradually become more significant in the holidays of urban people and the visits to villages and farms have increased. The countryside of Turkey possesses rich natural and cultural elements that are entirely appropriate for rural tourism. While many villages on the Aegean coast are integrated into the tourism marketplace, the typical villages in the hinterland are poised to take their place in rural tourism. The old village, Sirince, has been involved very closely with rural tourism for about 10 to15 years. Although “eco-tourism” and “agri-tourism” will join rural tourism, “urban accommodations based on reservations” must have the first priority. The Izmir region will not lose its present position and should gain benefits from tourism for a long time.
In addition to the appeal of the city itself, these geographical features encourage many different types of tourism, including
• recreational tourism along its shoreline,
• historical tourism at its archeological sites,
• summer camps, trekking, winters sports, and eco-tourism on its Boz Mountains;
• country-side (rural) tourism in Sirince village,
• thermal tourism in Balcova, Cesme and other cities,
• Festivals for culture and arts, local festivities and sanctuaries (e.g., the House of the Virgin Mary).
Truly we can say that, on the whole, tourism is a well-defined lifestyle in Izmir. In Izmir, there are 130 tourism facilities, with business approval certificates, and 15 facilities with investment certificates. These facilities support the tourism of Izmir with a “total room capacity” of 16,491 and a “bed capacity” of 34,715.
According to the previous year’s annual tourism report, 84.49% of total tourist entries to Izmir were made via air, and only 17.06% was accomplished by waterways. To provide services, there are a total of 278 travel agencies and 1,301 professional tour guides in Izmir. Additionally, by most reports, Izmir is most popular among German, French, Dutch, and British tourists.
Tourism Destinations
Alacati, Allianoi (Pergamon), Asklepion (Pergamon), Ayvalik (Kidonia), Balcova (Agamemnon)
Bergama (Pergamon), Candarli (Pitane), Cesme, Didim (Didyma), Efes (Ephesus), Foca (Phocaea), Ildiri (Erythrae), Kusadasi, Manisa (Magnesia), Milet (Miletus), Sart (Sardis), Shrine of Mary, Teos, Tire (Tyrha), Urla (Clazomenae): The founders of modern olive oil extracting techniques
Transportation
As the third largest city in Turkey, Izmir is quite well developed in terms of infrastructure. It is one of the most fortunate provinces in reference to the transportation network and infrastructure.
International
Within the borders of the province, there are
4 airports, 2 civilian and 2 military. The main civilian airport is Adnan Menderes. Recently, this international airport has been enlarged and the renovations have been completed. Operated by a private entity and with a capacity of more than 4 million passengers, Adnan Menderes is a gateway to international air transport. It has multiple daily connections from major Turkish cities, such as Istanbul and Ankara. The second civilian airport is in Selcuk, very close to Ephesus, and it is used by small aircraft.
Although construction is not yet complete, there is another airport at Alacati, close to Cesme. Both of these cities are very popular tourism centers, with a very high accessibility from the Greek Islands. The Cigli Airport, Izmir’s old civil airport located on the north of the bay, is currently used for military purposes. It has a great potential as a second international airport for the future and especially EXPO purposes.
National
Izmir is on the junction of several major National Highways. The following highways connect at Izmir: Canakkale Highway from the north, Istanbul Highway from the northeast, Ankara Highway from the east and Aydin - Denizli-Mugla Highway from the south. In addition, there is a freeway connecting Alaçaty and Cesme to Izmir, while another one connects Aydin to Izmir. A peripheral freeway, of 50 kilometers, functions as a beltway, to coordinate and regulate all highway connections and entrances around the Izmir city center.
In terms of the available railroad networks in the country, the Aegean region ranks in the first position. Izmir and other regional cities utilize a regional railroad network with a track length of 1,491 kilometers.
Urban
An operating system has been developed to integrate the urban sea transport network with the bus network. The bus network is highly integrated within the urban environment, having the capacity for over 35,000 passengers per hour. Sea transportation is distributed among the ports of Konak, Karsiyaka, Bostanli, Bayrakli, Pasaport, Alsancak, Goztepe and Uckuyular. The sea transportation network efficiently serves the overall city transportation system by carrying approximately _5 million passengers annually. Izmir will have the fortunate opportunity to utilize the geographical location of the city center, which is distributed all around the bay area.
Maritime
Izmir is one of the provinces that has the most maritime accessibility, due to the length of its coastline and number of settlements on that coastline. The major ports, for maritime transport, are located in Alsancak, Cesme and Dikili. Cesme Port provides transportion to/from the Greek Islands.
How to get to Izmir?
By highway: Interstate bus companies have regular services to all cities of Turkey, 24 hours each day. The bus terminal is 12 km away from the city center.
Total travel time to various cities: Istanbul (10 hours), Ankara (9 hours), Antalya (9 hours), Bursa (7 hours), Marmaris (6 hours), Bodrum (4 hours) and Konya (8 hours).
Main Terminal
Telephone: (00 90 232) 472 1010
Uckuyular Terminal
Uckuyular Terminal is 10 km away from the city center. There are regular “shared-taxi” and bus services to the boroughs of Cesme, Seferihisar, and Gumuldur.
Phone: (00 90 232) 259 8862
By Railway: There are regular train services from Izmir to major cities such as Ankara, Istanbul, Denizli, and Aydin.
Basmane Station
Phone: (00 90 232) 484 8638
Alsancak Station
Phone: (00 90 232) 458 3131
By Sea Route: There is a weekly ferry from Istanbul to Izmir (19 hours), operating only on the weekends, and 1 or 2 weekly ferries between Izmir and Venice (67 hours). All ferries dock at the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, located 2 km north of the city center. The other ports are located in Cesme, Dikili, and Seferihisar-Sigacik.
Alsancak Port
Phone: (00 90 232) 464 8864 / 89
By Airway: From Adnan Menderes Airport, there are domestic and international flights on a daily basis. Adnan Menderes Airport is 16 km away from the city center.
Adnan Menderes Airport
Phone: (00 90 232) 274 21 87
Transportation In The City
By Subway
The first test operation of the Izmir subway took place in May, 2000 and full daily services started the same year, in August. On the 11.6 km Ucyol – Bornova line, there are 10 stations; Ucyol, Konak, Cankaya, Basmane, Hilal, Stadyum, Halkapinar, Sanayi, Bolge and Bornova.
By Sea Route
The Izmir Metropolitan City Municipality provides passenger and vehicle transportation by yzdeniz, with an increasing demand and interest. Transportation is provided by 24 ferry vessels, operating at the 8 piers of Bostanli, Karsiyaka, Bayrakli, Alsancak, Pasaport, Konak, Goztepe and Uckuyular.
By Bus
The ESHOT Directorate General, together with IZULAS, provides the public transportation services for Izmir.
Reference: www.expoizmir2015.org |
