The Izmir Province reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Izmir Province

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The city known as "The "Pearl of the Aegean" or "Beautiful İzmir" is Turkey's third largest city after İstanbul and Ankara and the most important export harbor (second most important import harbor).

A city of palm - lined promenades, avenues and green parks set in sweeping curves along a circular bay. Izmir has exceptionally mild climate and many fine hotels. The city is a busy commercial and industrial centres as well the gateway to the Aegean Region. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean sea, abounds in vast pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods. Dotted with idyllic fishing harbours, popular holiday villages, and the remains of ancient civilisations, this region offers an exceptionally attractive venue for meetings, incentives and conferences.

As well as being undeniable world city with its natural beauties, historical and cultural values, Homer's love and poetry city of İzmir where various civilisations flourished and people have lived together in tolerance and brotherhood acquired her name from an Amazon queen called Smyrna and was mentioned by famous historian Heredotos as" the city under the most sublime blue sky and on the remarkable climate". Alexander the Great was told by Aristo, the philosopher like the following " If you do not see Smyrna you remain lacking.

İzmir has been at the centre of the important appealing situation due to the sacred places belonging to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The existence of holy places in the vicinity of İzmir such as Mary's House proclaimed as a significant place of Pilgrimage, the Double Church dedicated to Virgin for the first time, the Basilica of St.John including the tomb of Christ's beloved friend, the Grotto of Seven Sleepers and the Seven Churches of Revelation built to serve the spread of Christianity has been also giving rise to a promoting centre from the point of Faith Tourism. These churches mentioned in Bible are Selçuk (Ephesus), İzmir (Smyrna), Bergama (Pergamum), Akhisar (Thyatira), Sart (Sardis), Alaşehir (Philadelphia), and Goncalı (Laodicea).

Also see: http://www.izmirturizm.gov.tr/

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