Izmit, Turkey (aka Izmid, Kocaeli, Astacus or Nicomedia). Izmit houses a harbour 87 km southeast of Istanbul. The Eastern and most senior capital city of the Roman Empire between 286-324 AD. Founded in 712 BC - scene of the 1999 Earthquake (7.4 on richter scale) which devastated the region and killed more than 19,000 people and leaving many more homeless. The city is still recovering (2008). The kiosk and clocktower can be seen above the railway line.