UEFA EURO24 Bid Brochure

42 KOCAELİ As a very close geographical province to İstanbul, Kocaeli is experiencing the benefits of such a position, winning the industrial heartland title. It is a refined world city in terms of tourism, nature and culture. Being the first city that comes to mind in for Turkey's industry, Kocaeli has been home to various civilisations throughout history. With its distinctive location on important land and rail routes connecting Asia to Europe, the city promises countless alternatives, including aqua sports, mountaineering, summer ranges, and thermal and caravan tourism. Ballıkayalar is very popular among the mountaineers for its steep routes. Kandıra, Kerpe, Kumcağız, Kefken and Seyrek are some of the must-dive destinations, Kartepe is a prominent skiing resort approximately one- hour to İstanbul, and Beşkayalar Natural Park, Darıca-Bayramoğlu Bird Sanctuary, Theme Park and Kuzu Yayla (summer range) surrounded with wild nature, fresh air and panoramic view, are just a few sites that will enable football fans to have an extraordinary experience in Kocaeli. Marked with ease of land, marine, air and rail transportation, Kocaeli is a world city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia with an important function for trade, industry, science, tourism, nature and culture. One of the industrial powerhouses of the Turkish economy, Kocaeli is conveniently located between Eskişehir and İstanbul. Yuvacık Dam