Istanbul (historically also known as Byzantium and Constantinople) is the largest city in Turkey and fifth largest city proper in the world with a population of 12.8 million. Istanbul is also a megacity, as well as the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. The city covers 39 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents.

In its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330�395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395�1204 and 1261�1453), the Latin Empire (1204�1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453�1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Izmir, historically Smyrna, is Turkey's third most populous city and the country's second largest port city after Istanbul. It is located along the outlying waters of the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea. Izmir has almost 3,500 years of urban history, and possibly that much more of advanced human settlement. Lying on an advantageous location at the head of its gulf running down in a deep indentation midway on the western Anatolian coast, the city has been one of the principal mercantile cities of the Mediterranean Sea for much of its history. Its port, privatized in 2007, is Turkey's first port for exports in terms of the freight handled and its free zone, a Turkish-U.S. joint-venture established in 1990, is the leader among the twenty in Turkey. Its workforce, and particularly its rising class of young professionals, concentrated either in the city or in its immediate vicinity (such as in Manisa), and under either larger companies or SMEs, affirm their name in an increasingly wider global scale and intensity. Izmir is widely regarded as one of the most progressive Turkish cities in terms of its values, lifestyle, dynamism and gender roles. Politically, it is considered a stronghold of the Republican People's Party.

Despite its heritage, Izmir has suffered until recently, as one author puts it, from "sketchy understanding" in the eyes of outsiders. When the Ottomans took over Izmir in the 15th century, they did not inherit compelling historical memories, unlike the two other keys of the trade network, namely Istanbul and Aleppo. Its emergence as a major international port as of the 17th century was largely a result of the attraction it exercised over foreigners, and the city's European orientation. Very different people found Izmir attractive over the ages and the city has always been governed by fresh inspirations which stemmed from the location of its center and the readiness of its citizens to adopt novelties and new projects.

Kusadasi (Turkish: Kusadasi) is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the center of the seaside district of the same name in Aydin Province. Kusadasi lies at a distance of 95 km (59 mi) to the south from the region's largest metropolitan center of Izmir, and 71 km (44 mi) from the provincial seat of Aydin situated inland. Its primary industry is tourism. Her neighbours are Germencik district from northeast, S�ke one from southeast, Aegean Sea from west and Selcuk district from north.

The city stands on a bay in the Aegean with the peninsula of Guvercin Ada sticking out into the sea at one end, and the mountain of Kaz Dagi behind. It is 95 km (59 mi) south of Izmir, the region's largest metropolitan center. It is 71 km (44 mi) from the provincial seat of Aydin situated inland. The Yavansu Fault Line passes near Kusadasi and there have been earthquakes here throughout history.

The name comes from 'kus' (bird) and 'ada' (island) as the peninsula has the shape of a bird's head (as seen from the sea). Since Byzantine times it has been known as Ephesus Neopolis, Scala Nuova, becoming Kush-Adasi at the beginning of the 20th century. Some people from the Aegean region shorten the name to Ada.