Izmir, Turkey - Known as Smyrna in ancient times, it is one of the oldest settlements of the Mediterranean basin. It was possessed by empires like the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, and the Byzantines. It was renamed Izmir when the Turks first captured the city in 1076. The new name wasn't officially recognized by the English language until the Turkish Postal Service Law of March 28, 1930. It is now the third largest city, and second largest port city, in Turkey.