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Izmir, historically Smyrna, has almost 8,500 years of urban history and possibly that much more of advanced human settlement. Izmir is blending the fast changing history of Anatolia with the colourful history of the Aegean. It is told that the city was named after an Amazon Queen, Smyrna. Izmir is also known as the hometown of Homer, the ‘Master of Poets.’ Lying on an advantageous location at the head of its gulf running down in a deep indentation midway on the western Anatolian coast, the city has been one of the principal mercantile cities of the Mediterranean Sea.
Izmir is the second largest commercial center in Turkey and is a significant industrial base, realizing 8 to 9 % of Turkey’s total industrial production, creating 13.5% of the total added value created in the country. With its 18 organized industrial zones, 2 free zones, international fairs, technology development zone and 4 main trade ports, Izmir is the investment attraction center of the region. It accommodates 10.4% of the total businesses and 9.7% of the total employment of the country. Izmir is the biggest importer and the second biggest exporter of the country. A worldwide reputation for its local products such as cotton, figs, grapes, tobacco, olives and superior quality olive oil.
The ancient classical city, Ephesus, one of the best preserved in the eastern Mediterranean is in Selcuk/Izmir. Selcuk has many historical remains of early Christianity, including a house which many believe to have been visited by the Virgin Mary, and Ayasoluk Hill where St. John wrote his Gospel.
Bergama/Izmir is one of Turkey’s oldest civilized settlements which has been inhabited from pre-historic times through the Ionic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. Asclepion, an important health center of the ancient world, the acropolis on the top of a 300 m steep hill and the Temple of Serapis make this area a fascinating stop for history-loving tourists.
Thermal springs of Izmir, or as in Homer’s epics, Agamemnon Thermal Springs, where the wounded soldiers of Agememnon healed, have been used to cure various ailments since ancient times. İzmir’s hot water mud baths and mineral springs are said to cure upper respiratory inflammation, nephritis, rheumatism, skin diseases and metabolism problems.
The coastal belt surrounding Izmir has naturally formed beaches and small bays in nearly every center of settlement.
Izmir has seven universities, two state and four private, and an institute of technology, having administrative, medical and engineering sciences departments. One of these universities is Ege University. Ege University is a 55 year-old University, and the fourth oldest one in the country. It is the first university to start courses in Izmir and also the most developed. It has extensive international relations through collaborative agreements of various kinds and of varying degrees with 137 different institutions abroad, is also within the European Accreditation System, gives EU Diploma Supplement (DS) to its Graduates, is a full member of EU Erasmus Programmes and takes active part in Framework Programmes.
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