Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, straddling the Bosporus Strait, which serves as the boundary between Europe and Asia. It is regarded as the country's economic, cultural, and historical capital. With a population of over 15 million residents, Istanbul accounts for 19% of Turkey's total population, making it the most populous city in Europe and the sixteenth-largest city in the world.
The city was founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE by Greek settlers from Megara. In 330 CE, the Roman emperor Constantine the Great designated it as his imperial capital, first renaming it New Rome and later Constantinople after himself. In 1930, the city's name was officially changed to Istanbul, which is the Turkish rendering of the phrase εἰς τὴν Πόλιν (eis tḕn Pólin), meaning "to the City," a term that Greek speakers had used colloquially since the 11th century.
Istanbul served as an imperial capital for nearly 1,600 years during the Byzantine (330–1204), Latin (1204–1261), late Byzantine (1261–1453), and Ottoman (1453–1922) empires. The city grew in size and influence, eventually becoming a pivotal point on the Silk Road and one of the most significant cities in history. It played a crucial role in the advancement of Christianity during Roman and Byzantine times, hosting four of the first seven ecumenical councils before its transformation into an Islamic stronghold following the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE. This transition intensified after Istanbul became the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1517. In 1923, Ankara was established as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Turkey, replacing Istanbul.
In 2010, Istanbul was named the European Capital of Culture. In 2023, it surpassed London and Dubai to become the most visited city in the world, welcoming more than 20 million foreign visitors. The historic center of Istanbul is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city houses the headquarters of numerous Turkish companies, contributing over thirty percent to the country's economy.
Source: Wikipedia
