2km/1.25mi west of Karhula a road (6.5km/4miles) branches off on the left to the port and industrial town of Kotka (pop. 56,000), on an island in the Gulf of Finland, now linked with the mainland. The top of the former Haukkavuori water tower provides excellent views of Kotka and the surrounding area. Situated on the estuary of the largest river
in southern Finland, the Kyminjoki, the town rapidly developed into a major exporting port. The most important industries in Kotka include woodworking. A naval battle between Sweden and Russia was fought off the coast here in 1790.