ISMID (IZMID, ISNIKMID) (anc. Nicomedia), a town of Asia Minor situated on rising ground near the head of the gulf of Ismid, Sea of Marmora. Pop. (1927) 55,79o. It is an agricultural district, producing cocoons and tobacco, and there are large forests of oak, beech and fir. Near Yalova there are hot mineral springs, much frequented in summer. The town is connected by railway with Haidar Pasha, the western terminus, and with Angora, Konia and Smyrna. It contains a fine 16th-century mosque, built
by the celebrated architect Sinan. As the seat of a Greek metro politan and an Armenian archbishop, Ismid retains somewhat of its ancient dignity. The head of the gulf of Ismid is silting up and the port Darinje is almost 4 miles distant from Ismid. The vilayet of Ismid (Nodja-Eli) had a population of 286,67o in 1927.