Its Position and Population
Kocaeli is like a junction which interlinks two continents Asia and Europe in Marmara Region. The area of it is 3.505 km2 and the population of it is 1.437.926 according to the census in 2007. The population increasing rate is yearly ?27. It is the most second crowded city comparing with Istanbul. It is the seventh smallest city in Turkey.
Transport
The most important factor of its industrialization is having all transportation opportunities. The transportation of land and network of railways happens especially with Europe and Middle East and the sea transportation through ports has been increasing recently. Being close to important trade and industry centers like İstanbul and Bursa makes Kocaeli important and priority city for investments. İzmit, the city center of Kocaeli, is 85 km far away frrom İstanbul. Kocaeli opens out its door with Atatürk Airport which is in west side of İstanbul and Sabiha Gökçen Airport which is in the east side. Kocaeli connects to Ankara through TEM motorway. International Atatürk Airport is 90 km far away and International Sabiha Gökçen Airport is 50 km far away frrom Kocaeli. It is the inmost place for sea transportation in Anadolu with 5 state ports (Derince and Yarımca) and 35 private landing stages.
Tourism
İzmit Sekapark: In Sekapark, which is actualized as a first industrial transformation area, is a coastal complex which could be used for having a rest and doing sport. There are a huge artificial grass hill 15 m high and 150 m size, the biggest skateboard in our country, artificial sand beach, multi functional landing stages, a platform of concert and perform for over one thousand people , hundred thousands m2 grass area, 6 thousand trees, 23 km pedestrian lane, 1600 m bike lane and a car park with 800 cars capacity. There are also cafes, meat and fish restaurants and a grass field. In this beautiful area you can have a rest, do sport and eat something with your friends as well as you can get on the net with the connection of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality.