Historically Smyrna, Izmir today is the third most populous city of Turkey and the country's largest port after Istanbul. The city is the inheritor of almost 3,500 years of urban history and hosts a population of 3.7 million today. Izmir is located at the most western part of Turkey and as a result of this geographical position has a flora and fauna blended with Turkish customs and habits. This modern city still retains traces of its ancient, Ottoman and Levantine past. Being the hub of the Levantine community, Izmir has long been a centre of culture and civilization where Judaism, Christianity and Islam have always co-existed peacefully.