The Gulf of İzmir (), formerly known as the Gulf of Smyrna, is a gulf on the Aegean Sea, with its inlet between the Karaburun Peninsula and the mainland area of Foça. It is in length by in breadth, with an excellent anchorage. The city of İzmir, an important port city of Turkey, surrounds the end of the gulf. Geography The northern limit of the Gulf of İzmir is defined as a 13 nmi line running from Cape Kanlıkaya () of the Karaburun Peninsula, to Cape Aslan () of Foça. The surface area of the gulf is , while its shore length is . Uzunada located in the Gulf of İzmir is Turkey's fourth largest island. Other islands of the gulf include Hekim Island, Foça Islands (Orak Island, Fener Ada, Incir Ada, Metalik Ada), Çiçek Islands (Yassıca Island, Pırnarlı Island, İncirli Island, Akça), Karantina Island, Yılan Island, and Büyük Ada. Seventeen rivers empty into the gulf, most notably the Gediz and the Meles. Gediz Delta, which is a Ramsar site, is located in the northeast of the gulf. Levent Marina is the only marina located in the gulf. Geology The Gulf of İzmir was formed during the Quaternary geological period. The east-west direction pit of the gulf was formed as a result of breaking the faults. Flora and fauna The northeastern coast of the gulf is the habitat of the Mediterranean monk seal. İzmir Birds Paradise in the north of the gulf and Çakalburnu Lagoon in the south are the breeding ground of the birds. History It is known that the first settlements around the gulf were in the Neolithic Age. The most known settlement is Smyrna, which was established around present-day Bayraklı in 3300s BC. Timur, who came to İzmir after the Battle of Ankara, seized İzmir Port Castle and its surroundings in December 1402 and ordered the destruction of the castle. During the First World War, naval battles occurred between Sancakburnu Castle and Urla in March 1915 and around Uzunada in May 1916. Economy Port of İzmir is a cargo and passenger port located to the east of the gulf. It is the seventh largest port of the country in terms of container volume and thirteenth in terms of cargo tonnage. There are nine active passenger ferry quays in the gulf. The İZKARAY project, which envisages the joining of the two sides of the gulf with a bridge,