İzmir (Province)

İzmir, with its thousands of years of history, stands out as one of Anatolia's most important cities. The origins of the city extend back to 3000 BCE, according to archaeological excavations at the Tepekule Höyüğü in Bayraklı. The first settlement of ancient İzmir was established on a peninsula due to its defensive advantages and commercial benefits. Known as Smyrna, this settlement developed within time and became an important trade and maritime hub. Its significance continuously grew during the Roman, Ottoman, and Republican periods, ultimately assuming the identity of a modern industry city.

History

Early Antiquity

There are differing views regarding the origin of İzmir’s name. The name Smyrna is believed to be linked to the goddess and inspired by the spring at Halkapınar sacred water. City, initially founded by the Aeolians, later came under Ionian dominance. The Ionians developed the city commercially, strengthening its identity as a port city. However, after attacks by the Lydian Kingdom, the city suffered major destruction and was subsequently captured by the Persians.

Hellenistic Period

In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great became the figure who changed İzmir’s unfortunate fate. After defeating the Persians, he ordered the city’s reconstruction in the vicinity of Kadifekale. Thus, from the Hellenistic period onward, İzmir experienced a revival in architecture and commerce. The city was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 133 BCE and flourished during the Roman era in trade, culture, and art sectors.

Roman and Byzantine Periods

During the Roman period, İzmir developed in trade, culture, and the arts. Although a major earthquake in 178 CE severely damaged the city, it was rebuilt with the support of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. In the Byzantine period, İzmir continued to exist as a religious and administrative center. However, the city lost much of its former vitality, enduring a difficult process due to frequent raids by the Sassanids and Arab. From the 9th century onward, İzmir became a base for the Byzantine navy and partially regained its commercial importance.

Turkish Beyliks and Ottoman Period

From the second half of the 11th century, İzmir’s strategic strategic attracted Turkish interest and was captured in 1076 by the Seljuk commander Çaka Bey. Through Çaka Bey’s maritime activities, İzmir became a prominent active center in the Aegean. However, during the Crusades, the city was recaptured by the Byzantines. In 1317, İzmir came under the control of the Aydınoğulları Beylik and increased its commercial vitality during the 14th century.

In the early 15th century, the city changed hands again due to Timur’s campaigns, and finally came under Ottoman rule in 1426. During the Ottoman period, İzmir became a major commercial center due to its port and trade opportunities. From the 17th century onward, city attracted European merchants and became one of Ottoman Türkiye’s most important gateways to the West.

Republican Period

In the 19th century, modernization projects speed gained momentum, bringing dynamism to the city through improved trade routes and railway networks. After World War I, İzmir was occupied and liberated from occupation on 9 September 1922 following the victory of the Turkish army. In 1923, the city hosted the İzmir Economic Congress and maintained its importance as an industrial and commercial center in the early years of the Republic. Today, İzmir continues to be one of Türkiye’s major cities due to its deep history, cultural heritage, and commercial potential.

Social Structure of İzmir

İzmir has historically been a interaction area for diverse cultures and developed a cosmopolitan structure. During the Ottoman period, Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Levantines played significant roles in urban life. In the city’s commercial sphere, Greek and Jewish communities came to the forefront, while Levantines were particularly active in foreign trade.

In the 19th century, in line with the Ottoman Empire’s policy of liberalizing foreign trade, British, French, and Dutch merchants established colonies in İzmir, which situation the city’s trade capacity. During this period, İzmir became one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important ports opening to global markets.

With the establishment of the Republic, the demographic building changed as a result of the departure of the Greek population following the population exchange; migrant population increased. The city’s population, which was 154,000 in 1927, rapidly grew due to migration movements and industrialization, surpassing two million by 1997.

Architectural Structure and Urban Fabric of İzmir

İzmir’s architecture has been shaped over time by various cultural and social dynamics. Structures from the ancient period, including the agora, theater, and stadium like public buildings, are notable. Excavations in Bayraklı have revealed that the ancient city had a grid-plan layout.

Mosques, inn, madrasa, bathhouse, and fountains built during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods left a lasting imprint on the city’s architecture. Some of the city’s important structures include:

• Kadifekale: According to legend, this fortress was built following a dream of Alexander the Great and forms the historical core of İzmir.
• Hisar Mosque: Built in 1597, this mosque is one of the important examples of classical Ottoman architecture in the city.
• Şadırvanaltı Mosque: Constructed in the 18th century, this structure is notable for its ornamental details.
• Kemeraltı Bazaar: Developed from the 17th century onward, this bazaar became the center of commercial life.
• Kızlarağası Han: Built in the 18th century, this caravanserai is located at the intersection of major trade routes.
• Konak Clock Tower: Constructed in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sultan II. Abdülhamid’s accession to the throne.

During the Republican period, modern architectural movements influenced the city, leading to the construction of public buildings, fairgrounds, and social facilities.

İzmir’s Ancient Cities

İzmir and its surroundings have hosted significant settlements since antiquity. The main ancient cities are:

• Smyrna (Tepekule Höyüğü): The city’s earliest settlement area is located in Bayraklı, place. Smyrna, with a history extending back to 3000 BCE, became one of the important port cities of Western Anatolia. Mentioned in Hittite sources as Tismurna, the city flourished in trade and cultural exchange during the Archaic period.

• Ephesos (Efes): Located in the Selçuk district of İzmir, Ephesus is famous for the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus. Ephesus was one of the largest cities of the Ancient Period and also a major port and commercial center. The Temple of Artemis was among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, while the Mary House of the Virgin Mary is a sacred pilgrimage site for Christianity.

• Pergamon (Bergama): This ancient city in Bergama houses the Asklepion, one of the most important health centers of the ancient world. During the Hellenistic period, Pergamon was recognized as a major cultural and educational center, renowned for its famous library as a hub of knowledge in the ancient world. It is also notable for its acropolis and enormous theater.

• Klazomenai: Located in Urla, this ancient city is known for olive oil trade. Klazomenai stood out among the Ionian cities for its commercial activities, particularly olive oil production. Archaeological excavations have uncovered olive oil workshops that provide significant insights into the region’s economic structure.

• Metropolis: This city in the Torbalı district became an important center during the Roman period. Metropolis was established in the fertile Small Menderes Plain and developed through agricultural production, especially during the Roman era. Remains of an ancient theater, baths, and agora preserve the city’s social and cultural structure for the present day.

Geography and Topography of İzmir

İzmir is a province located in western Türkiye on the coast of the Aegean Sea, noted for its geographical diversity. İzmir covers an area of 12,012 km² and borders Balıkesir to the north, Manisa to the east, and Aydın to the south. To the west, it opens to the Aegean Sea via an extensive coastal strip.

İzmir’s geographical structure is shaped by mountains, plains, bays, and islands. Mountains generally extend in a east-west direction, allowing marine influences to reach inland areas.

Mountains

·       Yamanlar Mountain (1,076 m): Located north of the İzmir Gulf.

·       Manisa Mountain (Spil Mountain) (1,513 m): Located east of İzmir.

·       Nif Mountain (1,506 m): Located east of İzmir.

·       Bozdağlar: Extend in the southeast, within İzmir’s interior regions.

·       Aydın Mountains: Located along İzmir’s southern border.

Plains

İzmir has numerous plains running parallel to the coast, suitable for agriculture. The main plains include:

·       Gediz Plain: Formed by the Gediz River and one of the region’s most important agricultural areas.

·       Bakırçay Plain: Extends along the Bakırçay River in northern İzmir.

·       Küçük Menderes Plain: Located in southern İzmir and known for its fertile soils.

·       Büyük Menderes Plain: Located in the southeastern corner of İzmir.

Bays and Coves

İzmir’s coastline is shaped by village and bays.

·       İzmir Gulf: The city’s most important sea entrance, critical for trade and tourism.

·       Dikili Gulf: Located northwest of İzmir.

·       Çandarlı Gulf: Located north of Dikili.

·       Kuşadası Gulf: Located southwest of İzmir.

Islands

Important islands belonging to İzmir include:

·       Uzunada: Located in the center of the gulf and Turkey’s fourth largest island.

·       Hekim Adası: Located in the İzmir Gulf.

·       Yassıca Islands: Small islets within the gulf.

Rivers

·       Gediz River: Originates in Manisa and flows into the İzmir Gulf.

·       Bakırçay River: Flows from the north into the Aegean Sea.

·       Küçük Menderes River: Flows into the Aegean Sea in the south.

·       Büyük Menderes River: Passes through the southeastern boundaries.

Climate

İzmir has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and rainy. The Summer wind, known as imbat, cools the city during summer months. The annual average temperature is 17–18°C.

İzmir’s geographical structure has contributed to the development of agriculture, tourism, and trade. Maritime tourism dominates the coastal areas, while agricultural activities are prominent inland.

Population and Demographic Structure of İzmir

İzmir is Türkiye’s third largest city by population. The population of İzmir, which was around 530,000 in 1927, reached 4,479,525 as of 2023. With this population size, İzmir accounts for 5.25% of Türkiye’s total population and 41% of the Aegean Region’s population. The gender ratio is nearly equal. In İzmir, 15% of the total population is engaged in agriculture.

Regarding population distribution, 91% of the population lives in the city and 9% in villages. The population density is 333 people per km². The most populous districts are Buca (523,487), Karabağlar (476,500), and Bornova (447,553). The least populous districts are Beydağ (12,094), Karaburun (13,379), and Kınık (29,205).

İzmir District Population List (2024)

• Buca: 530,000
• Karabağlar: 480,000
• Bornova: 450,000
• Konak: 435,000
• Karşıyaka: 342,000
• Bayraklı: 300,000
• Çiğli: 220,000
• Balçova: 82,000
• Gaziemir: 160,000
• Narlıdere: 73,000
• Urla: 76,000
• Seferihisar: 55,000
• Güzelbahçe: 46,000
• Menemen: 185,000
• Aliağa: 108,000
• Foça: 36,000
• Dikili: 48,000
• Bergama: 106,000
• Kınık: 30,000
• Karaburun: 14,000
• Tire: 86,000
• Ödemiş: 133,000
• Bayındır: 40,000
• Selçuk: 38,000
• Kiraz: 43,000
• Beydağ: 13,000
• Menderes: 98,000
• Torbalı: 200,000
• Kemalpaşa: 115,000

İzmir’s population growth rate varies compared to the national average. In recent years, population movement has been observed from the city center toward environment districts. Particularly in districts such as Seferihisar, Urla, and Çeşme, which are coast, population growth rates have been higher.

İzmir holds a significant position among cities receiving migration. The distribution of population migrating from other provinces is as follows: Manisa (207,730), Mardin (177,546), Erzurum (154,668), Konya (130,028), Ağrı (96,590), Aydın (93,876), Afyon (93,054), Diyarbakır (90,847), and Kars (86,726).

A large portion of the migration İzmir receives consists of educated and skilled labor. This contributes to an increase in the number of educated workers in industry, trade, and service sectors. However, brain migration is also among the demographic challenges faced by İzmir.

The average household size in İzmir is below the national average at 2.9 persons. The average age in İzmir’s demographic structure is 37.6, above the national average. With a high level of education, İzmir’s school enrollment rates exceed the national average at all levels. İzmir’s demographic structure is a key factor shaping the city’s economy and social life.

İzmir’s Economy

Industry

İzmir is one of Türkiye’s most advanced cities in the industrial sector. Industrial activities concentrated in petrochemicals, automotive, food, textiles, and cement are supported by organized industrial zones and technology parks. The refinery in Aliağa and the Ege Free Zone play significant roles in industrial development.

Star Rafineri A.Ş. (Aliağa)

Operational since 2018, Star Rafineri is one of the region’s largest industrial investments. It contributes significantly to the İzmir economy through direct and indirect employment and the circulation of fuel and petrochemical products in local and national markets. The refinery supports the reduction of the current account deficit by decreasing import dependency and strengthens İzmir’s strategic position in the energy sector.

Tüpraş İzmir Refinery

The Tüpraş İzmir Refinery in Aliağa, activity, plays a critical role in meeting Türkiye’s energy needs. With significant contributions from production to sales, facility holds a substantial share in İzmir’s industrial revenues. Additionally, it enhances economic dynamism through port activities in the logistics and supply supply chains.

Petkim Petrokimya Holding A.Ş.

Petkim, operating in Aliağa, İzmir, meets a large portion of Türkiye’s petrochemical needs. With its production capacity and export performance, it holds a prominent position in İzmir’s industrial exports. The company contributes to the development of the chemical industry and supports regional economic growth through new investments.

İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş.

İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi contributes to meeting industrial inputs with high production capacity in the iron and steel sector. It enhances İzmir’s foreign trade capacity through export volume and holds an important position in terms of employment creation and the development of ancillary industries.

Trade

İzmir is a major center in international trade due to its ports. Alsancak Port is one of Türkiye’s most important container ports, through which a large portion of exports to Europe, Asia, and Africa are conducted.

Agriculture and Livestock in İzmir

Agriculture

İzmir, as one of the important agricultural centers of the Aegean Region, stands out due to its fertile soils and favorable climatic conditions. The Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, enabling the cultivation of a wide variety of agricultural products.

Key agricultural products in İzmir include cotton, grape, figs, olive, and tobacco. Particularly in the Torbalı and Selçuk plains, cotton production is intensive. İzmir’s grapes and figs hold significant positions in both domestic and international markets. Olive production is widespread along the coastal districts and contributes to the local economy through olive oil production.

In addition, row vegetable and fruit production are important agricultural activities. Ödemiş and Bayındır districts are prominent in vegetable farming, while Cherry and Beydağ districts are known for fruit cultivation. Greenhouse farming is also increasing, especially in coastal areas where covering cultivation is common.

Livestock

Livestock farming in İzmir has developed in parallel with agricultural production. Large and small livestock animal farming are among the main livelihood sources in rural areas. Tire, Ödemiş, and Bergama districts are regions with intensive livestock activities.

In large livestock farming, milk production is prominent. İzmir holds a significant share in Türkiye’s milk production, contributing to the development of milk processing facilities. In small livestock farming, sheep and goat breeding are maintained through traditional methods, especially in mountainous areas.

Beekeeping is also an important livestock activity in İzmir. Honey production, particularly pine honey, occurs in areas covered by pine forests. Beekeeping activities are increasing in Kemalpaşa and Bayındır districts. In conclusion, İzmir’s agriculture and livestock sector exhibits diversity due to its geographical location, climatic conditions, and traditional production practices, playing a vital role in the region economy.

İzmir’s Tourism Potential and Cultural Heritage

İzmir is one of Türkiye’s leading tourism centers due to its natural and historical attractions, climate suitable for tourism, advanced transportation infrastructure, and rich cultural heritage. Known as the jewel of the Aegean, İzmir has significant tourist recording points in areas including sea, gastronomy, faith, and health tourism.

İzmir’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

İzmir has two cultural entity inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and five cultural assets on the tentative list:

Bergama Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape (2014): Includes layers from the Hellenistic, Roman, Eastern Roman, and Ottoman periods, encompassing the Ancient City of Pergamon, the Sanctuary of Cybele, and various tumuli.

Ephesus World Heritage Site (2015): Includes Çukuriçi Höyük, Ayasuluk Hill, Ephesus Ancient City, and the House of the Virgin Mary.

Birgi Historic Town (2012), Çandarlı and Foça Castles (2013), Çeşme Castle (2020), and İzmir Historic Port City (2020): These are on the tentative list, with ongoing efforts for inclusion on the permanent list.

Cultural Tourism

İzmir, with its rich historical heritage, is among Turkey’s leading cities for cultural tourism. The city has hosted numerous civilizations from antiquity to the present and contains important ancient sites such as the Agora, Kadifekale, Smyrna (Bayraklı-Tepekule), Pergamon (Bergama), Klaros (Ahmetbeyli), and Ephesus (Selçuk). Particularly, the Ancient City of Ephesus in Selçuk, with the Temple of Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John, welcomes thousands of domestic and foreign tourists annually.

İzmir’s Tourist Attractions

İzmir has numerous gravity points that enhance its tourism potential:

Clock Tower: Built in 1901 and located in Residence Square, it has become a symbol of the city.

Kemeraltı Bazaar: One of the world’s largest open-air markets, housing numerous religious structures and commercial spaces.

Historic Elevator: Built in 1907 to improve accessibility, it offers panoramic views of İzmir.

Alsancak Kordonboyu: A major social space where locals and visitors enjoy time by the sea.

Natural Beauty, Health, Gastronomy, Culture, and Events

Sea

İzmir’s coastal districts—Çeşme, Urla, Foça, and Dikili—offer a lifestyle deeply connected to the sea. Çeşme stands out with thermal water sources and golden beaches, while Foça provides ideal environments for marine and nature sports. Sea tours and water sports activities held in the İzmir Gulf enliven the maritime social life.

Health and Thermal

İzmir is also an important center for thermal water sources. The Agememnon Baths in Balçova have been a destination for those seeking healing since ancient times. Thermal waters in Çeşme Ilıca, mixing with seawater, are preferred for both sea enjoyment and health purposes.

Gastronomy

İzmir cuisine is known for its olive oil-based dishes and Aegean herbs. Boyoz, kumru, seafood, şevketibostan, artichoke, radika, and sea purslane are among the flavors reflecting the city’s kitchen culture.

Faith

İzmir has significant cultural diversity through places of worship for different religions. The House of the Virgin Mary is recognized as a pilgrimage site in the Christian world, while the Basilica of St. John and various synagogues reflect the city’s heritage of tolerance.

Museums and Cultural Spaces

In addition to 11 museums under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 21 private museum contribute to the city’s cultural life. Notable museums include the İzmir Archaeology Museum, Atatürk Museum, Ephesus Museum, and Tire Museum.

Festivals and Events

İzmir hosts various national and international events throughout the year. The İzmir International Fair, the International İzmir Festival, and the Çeşme Sea Festival enhance the city’s cultural vibrancy.