Revision as of 09:45, 13 December 2002 view sourceLiftarn (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users48,580 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:12, 1 January 2003 view source Patrick (talk | contribs)Edit filter managers, Administrators68,523 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
]] | ]] | ||
'''Istanbul''' is the largest city of ], and also the largest |
'''Istanbul''' is the largest city of ], and also one of the largest cities in ] (although most of Turkey is not in Europe), with 11,000,000 inhabitants. Founded by the ] emperor ] on the site of the ancient ] colony of ], and called ] after him (only in ] did the name ''Istanbul'' become official), it became the eastern capital of the ] and later the capital of the ]. After the ] (]) it became part of and soon capital of the ]. | ||
The old city is mainly located on the ] strait, which separates ] from ] and the ] from the ]. However, the modern city is much larger and covers both European and Asian sides of the Bosporus. Famous tourist places include Sariyer, Eyüp and Taksim on the European side, and Beykoz, Üsküdar, Kadiköy, Moda and Bostanci (the Princes' Islands) on the Asian side. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of Turkey, it is still the major city in Turkey's industry, commerce and culture and the most important import and export center. | The old city is mainly located on the ] strait, which separates ] from ] and the ] from the ]. However, the modern city is much larger and covers both European and Asian sides of the Bosporus. Famous tourist places include Sariyer, Eyüp and Taksim on the European side, and Beykoz, Üsküdar, Kadiköy, Moda and Bostanci (the Princes' Islands) on the Asian side. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of Turkey, it is still the major city in Turkey's industry, commerce and culture and the most important import and export center. |
Revision as of 15:12, 1 January 2003
Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey, and also one of the largest cities in Europe (although most of Turkey is not in Europe), with 11,000,000 inhabitants. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine on the site of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium, and called Constantinople after him (only in 1930 did the name Istanbul become official), it became the eastern capital of the Roman Empire and later the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Byzantium (1453) it became part of and soon capital of the Ottoman Empire.
The old city is mainly located on the Bosporus strait, which separates Europe from Asia and the Black Sea from the Marmara Sea. However, the modern city is much larger and covers both European and Asian sides of the Bosporus. Famous tourist places include Sariyer, Eyüp and Taksim on the European side, and Beykoz, Üsküdar, Kadiköy, Moda and Bostanci (the Princes' Islands) on the Asian side. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of Turkey, it is still the major city in Turkey's industry, commerce and culture and the most important import and export center.
For the history of Istanbul, see the articles at Byzantium and Constantinople.
Places to visit
- Topkapi Museum (see also the 1964 movie)
- The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
- Golden Horn
- Hagia Sophia