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Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikivoyage or other free sources online. Once famous for figs, Izmir (formerly Smyrna), is now Turkey´s 3rd-largest city, the "capital" of the Aegean region, a major port and commercial center set dramatically around a huge bay and backed by mountains to the south. It is the transport center of the Aegean region. Here´s my Izmir Region Transport Map to help you make your way to, through and from Izmir, and here´s info on airport transport. During the War of Independence (1922) a disastrous fire destroyed most of old Smyrna. Today Izmir is a mostly modern city with good hotels and restaurants, an interesting bazaar, a few small archeological sites, a big, busy Otogar (bus terminal), and an important airport south of the city on the way to Ephesus. Though officially named Behramkale, most people still call this town 66 km south of Troy by its ancient name of Assos. It was founded in the 700s BC by colonists from Lesvos. This book offers information on Aegean Turkey region and its most notable places.

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