Image: Izmir Province in Turkey As Seen From Orbit

Image: Izmir Province in Turkey As Seen From Orbit

* Source: NASA HQ

* Posted Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Izmir Metropolitan Area, Izmir Province in Turkey is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 27 crew member on the International Space Station. The metropolis of Izmir is located in the western Anatolia region of Turkey. It is the country’s third largest city in terms of population and the second largest port city (after Istanbul).

The Izmir region has included urban areas for almost 3,500 years, and the ancient core of the metropolitan area was originally known as Smyrna. Due to its location on the Gulf of Izmir (lower left) with access to the Aegean Sea, Izmir (or Smyrna) has been an important Mediterranean Sea port for most of its history. This detailed photograph highlights the modern urban landscape of the Izmir metropolitan area. Today, the metropolitan area includes eleven districts, many of which were independent neighborhoods prior to agglomeration into “greater Izmir”. Densely built-up residential and commercial districts, characterized by gray to reddish gray rooftops occupy much of the central part of the image.

Larger structures with bright white rooftops are indicative of commercial/industrial areas near the Izmir Port at left. Two large sport complexes, the Ataturk Stadium and Sirinyer Hippodrome (horse racing track) are clearly visible at upper left and right respectively. Numerous vegetated parks (green) are located throughout the area. In addition to being a major trade center, greater Izmir is a hub for regional tourism. ISS027-E-033889 (16 May 2011) — high res (1.4 M) low res (86 K)

via Image: Izmir Province in Turkey As Seen From Orbit | SpaceRef – Your Space Reference.