Across the Bosphorus a city sprawls Istanbul a place where East meets West. Istanbul a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of Roman Byzantine and Ottoman history.
Picture this a sprawling metropolis straddling two continents. Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe physically and culturally. Its population a sprawling 16 to 19 million people. This makes it one of the largest cities in Europe and the world.
For nearly a thousand years Istanbul as Constantinople was the last outpost of the Roman Empire. Later it became known as the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II conquered it on May 29 1453. Some say this marked the end of the Middle Ages. Istanbul became a major cultural political and commercial center. Its population by the mid-1500s neared half a million. Ottoman rule lasted until World War I when the Allies occupied Istanbul.
In 1923 the Republic of Turkey was born. Kemal Ataturk moved the capital to Ankara. Yet Istanbul continued to grow dramatically. Today its population is approximately 14 million. It increases by an estimated 400000 immigrants annually. Industry and tourism both flourish here.
Imagine the Bosphorus Strait dividing Istanbul into three parts. It runs north to south separating Europe and Asia. The Golden Horn bisects the western part. The Sea of Marmara forms the southern boundary. Most sights are concentrated in the old city the Sultanahmet peninsula. This is west of the Bosphorus between the Horn and the Sea.
Across the Horn lie Galata Beyoglu and Taksim the heart of modern Istanbul. Kadıköy is the major district on the less-visited Asian side. The Black Sea forms Istanbul’s northern boundary.
Istanbul a city of contrasts a symphony of history and modernity. A testament to the enduring human spirit. This place is Istanbul a city that continues to captivate and inspire.