Izmir is the third most populous city of Turkey and has the country's largest port after Istanbul. It lies on the coast of The Aegean Sea. The total population of the city center was 2,606,294 by the end of 2007. There are 28 districts of Izmir.

The city hosts an international arts festival during June and July. Izmir International Fair, in which various fair and exhibition events take place, opens its door to visitors in the beginning of September every year. Adnan Menderes Airport, located 16 km south of Izmir, serves as an international airport. Visitors can also travel around the city by means of buses, subway, ferryboats and taxis.

Izmir is famous for not only its industrial functions but also its touristic places. For instance, House of Virgin Mary is located in the vicinity of Ephesus. Spa and Health Tourism is popular in Balçova and Çeşme. Moreover, tourism of mountain and winter sports is carried out in Bozdağ.

The Mediterranean Games (1971) and The World University Games (Universiade) in 2005 were held in Izmir. The city applied to the BIE in order to host The Universal Expo 2015, but Milan was honoured with this oppurtunity in March 2008.

Izmir has outstanding features in terms of industry, trade, culture, health, tourism and transportation. Consequently, the city plays a vital role in the country's economy.

There has been a settlement in İzmir, formally Smyrna, since 3000 BC. The Trojans were the 1st inhabitants and according to excavations, the city was founded in an area known today as Tepekule in the Bayrakli district, which lies to the east of the Gulf of İzmir. İzmir is also credited with being the birthplace of the legendary poet Homer, who is believed to have lived there in the 8th century BC.

The city went through a few invasions, destructions and reconstructions until Alexandra the Great began the construction of a castle on the top of Mt. Pagos (Kadifekale) somewhere around 330 BC.

After Alexandra, around 290 BC, the Pergamons took over the city, which by then had expanded outside the castle walls and centered itself in the harbor region, before they handed over to the Romans around the 1st century BC.

Despite burning the odd Bishop (Bishop Polycarpe 166 AD) suffering a major earthquake (178 AD) and putting off a siege by Attila the Hun (440 AD) The Romans managed to hold onto the city which was reputed to be "The most beautiful city in Asia" and also became the Capital city for the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) until the Selcuks arrived in 1076 AD.

By this time İzmir had become quite cosmopolitan and was a commercially important port, as a result, everybody it seemed wanted a slice of the action and İzmir went through a turbulent period. In1098 the Byzantines came back, 1320 the Selcuks returned, in 1334 the Crusaders took their turn, 1402 brought the Turks (who are credited with naming the city İzmir) then in 1426 came the Ottomans who carried on all the way until after the 2nd world war in 1919 when the Greek invasion took place.  On September the 9th 1922, İzmir was recovered during the National War of Independence and İzmir became one of the cornerstones of the current Turkish Republic.

The city of İzmir is composed of nine metropolitan districts (Balçova, Bornova, Buca, Çiğli, Gaziemir, Güzelbahçe, Karşıyaka, Konak, and Narlıdere), each with its own distinct features and temperament. The total area of the nine districts is 855 km2 (330 sq mi) and together these districts constitute the area of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality headed by the mayor of İzmir. İzmir also incorporates the nearby ancient cities of Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis and Klazomenai, and centers of international tourism such as Kuşadası, Çeşme, Mordoğan and Foça.