The town that I live right now.

For the last 18 months I live in a city called Kocaeli and the central town Izmit. It is 90 km far from Istanbul but "es muy tranquilo" silent, musch less traffic and more regular for a family life.  My kids are going to a school literally just in front of our flat.  This city also has some history actually (!)  Lets see a bit on Izmit.

THE HISTORY 

Research has shown that people frrom eras beyond history have lived in and around Izmit, which is the junction of the world's most important roads, since 3000 B.C. The first evidences of Izmit, in which people have continued to dwell to this day, can be traced back to the 12^thcentury B.C. At this time the Phrygians ruled the region after which a group migrating frromGreece's city of Svlegara to find themselves a new place to dwell formed a city in the Başiskele district and called it ASTAKOZ. After the King Lysimakhos of Thrace destroyed the city ofASTAKOZ a new city called NICOMEDIA was built on the hills on which the present Izmit is located. The city was built in 262 B.C. by King Nicomedes who was appointed by Alexander the Great to conquer Anatolia and was named for the king's wife.

Nicomedia, as the centre of the rising Bithinia Kingdom, becomes a great Hellenistic city. It is granted to the Romans in 91-94 B.C. In 284 B.C. the Emperor Diocletionus makes Nicomediathe capital again. In his era Nicomedia is the world's fourth largest city after Rome, Antiochand Alexandria. In the last quarter of the 11^th century Nicomedia is taken over by the Seljuks.Nicomedia was retaken in the 1^st Crusade and after remaining under the occupation of the Latins for a while was returned to the Seljuks. In the era of Orhan Ghazi the city was taken by the governor of the Adapazari and Hendek regions, Akgakoca, and brought under the rule of the Ottoman State. At first the city's name was Iznikmid, meaning neighbour of Iznik, and later became Izmit. Izmit was part of Istanbul until 1888 when it became a separate city. Prior to the War of Independence the city was freed frrom English and Greek armed occupation on 28^th June 1921. After the Republic was declared Izmit became the centre of the Kocaeli province. During the Republic period industrial investments made in the region the city's industrial foundation is set and both state and private ventures increase. Today Kocaeli is an advanced industrial city and is surrounded by railway and the most advanced motorway network. Also, with its Derince and Izmit ports it has sea routes to all four corners of the world. Kocaeli is a small province with regard to its land measurement and is an interesting worldwide example with its production in industry, added value and people working in this sector. Its natural beauties, beaches, plateaus, skiing centres and historical sites as well as the coasts of the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea are also important for the province of Kocaeli with regard to commerce and tourism.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION 

Kocaeli is a province east of the Marmara Sea and the Marmara Region which connects Asia and Europeand located in Çatalca-Kocaeli part of Marmara region between29º22&769;-30º21&769; east longitudes and 40º3&769;&769;&769;-41º13&769; north latitudes.It is comprised of a total of seven counties which are Gebze, Körfez, Karamursel, Golcuk, Kandira, Derince and the Central County of Izmit. The Black Sea is to its North, the Sakarya province is in the East and South east, Bursa is in the South and the provinces of Yalova and Istanbul are located to its West. With regard to its location Kocaeli is Turkey's sixth smallest province. According to the 2002 consensus the population was 1.437.926 and the population per km2 was 398. It is one of Turkey's most important travel points by Road, railway, Sea and Air.

IZMIT

Izmit is the central county of Kocaeli and has the same name. It is a coastal town near the eastern point of the Gulf (Korfez). It is an ancient city built on one of the most important routes between Turkish Asia and Europe. There are large industrial establishments and shopping centres and the population has reached a total of 371.725 including the villages and subdistricts. Although Izmit is known as an industrial town it is also a town where serious ventures are taking place to become a city of culture, art and education. The town's own special local delicacy, Pişmaniye, is famous worldwide.

I like this place.  In near future I will also add places and tastes from Izmit to my blog.  We have a ski resort that has one of the best snow quality in Turkey, just 45 minutes away from the downtown.  Sapanca lake is just in 20 minutes driving and you may enjoj one of the best village type brunch in your life there.

So keep in touch I will tell more very soon.