Izmir

Izmir, historically Smyrna, is Turkey s third most populous city and the country s largest port after Istanbul. It is located along the outlying waters of the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea. It is the seat of İzmir Province, which has an area of 7350 km2. The city of İzmir is composed of ten metropolitan districts Balcova, Bornova, Buca, Cigli... The city hosts an international arts festival during June and July, and İzmir International Fair, one of the city s many fair and exhibition events centered around but not limited to Kulturpark, is held in the beginning of September every year. Izmir is served by national and international flights through Adnan Menderes Airport and there is a modern rapid transit line running from the southwest to the northeast. Izmir hosted the Mediterranean Games in 1971 and the World University Games Universiade in 2005.