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Archive for the Category »Izmir «
Izmir has a population of 3 million. It is the third biggest city in Turkey. In Turkey’s export trade, Izmir is second only to Istanbul. The city is situated on the Gulf of Izmir which is 25km in length. Its climate is pleasant. The very hot weather of summer is bearable because of a cool breeze from the west; the winter hardly continues longer than three months.
History
Originally Izmir (Smyrna) was established in the 3rd century B.C. 8km north of the present city centre in the quarter of Bayraklı. In approximately 800 B.C. Ionians conquered Smyrna. Homer would have lived here at this time. The city was re-established during the reign of Alexander the Great, on Pagos hill (Kadifekale). In the 3rd and 2nd century B.C., it reached its peak and became one of the most beautiful of the Ionic cities. It became prosperous for a second time in the 2nd century A.D. during the Roman period. In 178 A.D. Izmir was damaged by an earthquake, and was rebuilt by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. When the Roman Empire collapsed, Byzantine rule began in Izmir. After the introduction of Christianity under the leadership of Constantine the Great, the city was besieged by Arabs. At the end of the 11th century it fell into the hands of Selçuk Turks. During the First Crusade of 1097, Izmir was reconquered by the Byzantines. In 1415 it was taken by the Ottomans after a short siege. After World War I in 1919, the Greeks occupied Izmir, and from here, pushed their way far into Asia Minor. In 1922 the city was reconquered by the Turks and built anew.
Buca is 9 km from Izmir and has 134 km2 surfaces. It is bordered by Bornova on the north, Konak and Gaziemir on the west, Kemalpaşa on the east, Menderes and Torbalı on the south. The altitude of the district is 223 metres.
According to the 2000 census, the population is 308.661.
As being between the borders of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, the economical, social, cultural life of the district is identified with city centre.
The economy depends on trade, small industrial facilities, agriculture, animal breeding and forestry. Because of this, there are small and medium scale establishments and trade man intensity. On the border of the district there are Vegetable and Fruit Market and Meat Producing Establishment and Fish Market belonging to Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.
The history goes back to 130 B.C. and many civilisations have lived here. Protestant Church, Forbes Street, Rees, De Jongh, Baltacı Mansion, Russo Pavilion, American Collage, tombs of important citizens of Buca and ideal recreational area of Hasan Ağa Bahçesi are worth visiting in Buca.
The recreational area called Buca Kaynaklar Göleti offers different facilities to daily visitors. Kaynaklar Village is famous for its centuries-old plane trees.
Bayındır is located on the river basin of Küçük Menderes, the south east of Izmir. It is surrounded by Ödemiş on the east, Torbalı on the west, Kemalpaşa and Manisa on the north. The surface is 588 km2. According to the 2000 census, the population is 47.214.
The economy depends on agriculture. The convenient climate, fertile soil and easy transportation facilities have enabled the agricultural activities for centuries. The main products of the district are olive, cotton, watermelon, vegetables and fruits. The variety of agricultural products make Bayındır the food stock house of Izmir with Tire.
Another important income of the district is flower cultivating. There are 230 small farms where flowers are cultivated.
The industry is developed in parallel with agriculture. There are olive and cotton manufactories. Bayındır has natural, historical and cultural beauties. Bayındır was a centre for education and culture during Seljukian and Ottoman period. For this reason, the district has many historical structures. Thermal spas, flower festival, watermelon festival and plateau tourism are among the tourism activities of the district.
Ergenli Hot Spring and Dereköy Spa are eight kilometres from Bayındır. The thermal water includes sulphur and sodium bicarbonate and cures rheumatism and skin illnesses.