cement, phosphate, textiles, petrochemicals, tires and beer. The port of Izmit deals both with domestic and international shipping, and Izmit also houses a strategically important naval base.

The city is mostly built on hill slopes because of the cramped area, while flat plains are located around the gulf, near the sea. This topographic structure divided the city in two different parts. The first part was created on flat plains, where the city center is also located. The railway and highway networks also pass from this area which is close to the Sea of Marmara. The second part was built on hills, with many historic houses from the Ottoman period in the old quarters.

In the past few years the province has developed into a growth point for the automotive industry, receiving investment from Ford, Hyundai, Honda and Isuzu. Tyre and rubber products are produced to world class standard (Goodyear, Pirelli, Lassa and Bridgestone).

Wikipedia articles for Izmit

• ?zmit
• ?zmit
• Nicomedia
• Kocaeli University