The geographical location of Istanbul is truly unique, as it is surrounded by water on all sides. The city is embraced by the Black Sea to the north and the Sea of Marmara to the south. The Bosphorus Strait literally divides this Turkish metropolis into two parts, creating the distinct European and Asian sides. The central areas of the city sprawl along the picturesque shores of the Golden Horn Bay.
In terms of population, Istanbul ranks third in Europe, with approximately 13.8 million people. What's interesting is that both Christians and Muslims are nearly equally represented here, making up around 50% and 46% of the population respectively. The local currency used is the Turkish lira (TRY).
The earliest mentions of settlements along the Bosphorus date back to the Neolithic period around 6700 BCE. The city of Istanbul was founded by the ancient Greeks from Megara in 659 BCE and was initially known as Byzantium. In 330 CE, upon the decision of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, it was renamed Constantinople and became the capital of the Roman Empire.
In 1453, the city was conquered by the Turks, and Sultan Mehmed II declared it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. In 1923, following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Istanbul relinquished its status as the capital to Ankara. However, it remained the largest city in the country and one of the most important trade, economic, and cultural centers in the world.
