Yalova

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Yalova (Population: 188,440^{[citation needed]}) is a city located in northwest Turkey and the capital of Yalova Province.

In general, it is assumed that the name of "Yalova" comes from "Yalak Ova" or "Yalıova". Yalıova means "coast plain" which is similar to "Yalos" in Greek.

The first settlement in the region dates back to the Prehistoric Period, in around 3000 BC. The Hittites ruled the region in 2000s BC, followed by the Phrygians in 1200 BC. The region was connected to Rome in 74 BC. Following the division of the Roman Empire in 395, the region of Yalova remained under the sovereignty of the Byzantine Empire. In 1302, Yalova was incorporated into the territory of the Ottoman Empire.

Atatürk in his last years lived in Yalova and owned three houses here. In one of his speeches he famously said "Yalova is my city". The city has a number of tourist attractions such as the Atatürk Pavilion and of course, its famous hot springs.

Yalova is twinned with the city of Bonn, Germany