ISTANBUL GETTING TO KNOW

Located in the heart of the Old World Istanbul is famous for its historical monuments and magnificent scenic beauties , is an important megalopolis . Asia and Europe in a narrow sea passage "Bosphorus " exited with the place, is the only city on two continents . Istanbul has a history of over 2500 years , where land meets the sea and its establishment on this strategic region has been an important trading center . Historic city of Istanbul in the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn is located on a peninsula surrounded . Here three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman capital to the 1600s for a period exceeding more than 120 emperors and sultans ruled here . Is the only city in the world has this feature . During its development, the city walls were westward at a time was extended four times . Surrounded by 5th century Roman city walls , built on seven hills in Istanbul, Turkey masterpieces of art , this is Perched on the "crown " as well as the Sultan mosque is decorated with . Beautiful skyline from all directions , is gorgeous and serene . Which is very secure natural harbor, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of the city . Reached the main road to the sea to take place at the crossroads , easily defendable peninsula, ideal climate, rich and generous nature, control features such as strategic geographical location of the Bosphorus, the world is at the center of Istanbul's fortune is.

Capital of empires, as well as , the state with religion, the administrative center was the Patriarchate of Eastern Christians since its establishment to the present day in this town entrenched Christian world, the largest early churches and monasteries here of pagan temples had risen over .
Istanbul after the conquest of hundred years a period of art in mosques, palaces, schools, baths and other facilities in the city equip Turkish character crossed , ruined existing churches and some repair and modified and converted into a mosque had .

People who fish
Caliphs of Islam of the Ottoman Sultans from the 16th century that the first years of the Republic until 1924 this symbol is the center of Istanbul . Judaism every port in the city is more characteristic of Istanbul , 15th century, the Turks Spain Sparing they brought the happy , new life style in this city başlamışlardı.İstanbul , mosque, church and synagogue side by side presence that carries a tolerance has been the center . The collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the city, rich , flashy was adorned with many works , palace built in the influence of European art , the northern slopes of the Golden Horn Galata and Beyoglu districts assumed a European character would . The Empire collapsed in World War I and the young Republic instead of moving to the capital, Ankara , Istanbul did not reduce the importance of . In the years that followed World War 2 began in 1950 and accelerated after the unplanned developments have had a negative impact on the fabric of the old city , unfortunately, while wooden houses disappeared rapidly , concrete buildings are filled. Outside the migration and population explosion suffered Istanbul soon the historic city walls far beyond overflowing , the walls inside the workshops, factories and work places infested , opened the main artery for traffic to provide solutions , not infrastructure due to the lack of the Golden Horn , the contaminated site was. The recovery began in the 1980s with the moves seen on Istanbul enters the restructuring process . Thousands of coastal estuaries , the coastline of expropriated buildings surrounded by green belts , parks and gardens filled shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara is equipped with . Drainage systems were completed and physical and biological wastewater treated , prevented contamination of the sea that surrounds the city , air pollution, natural gas is now being used has been greatly reduced .

Started restoration of the Roman city walls , the lifeblood of a street newly freed from Beyoglu , compared to previous years, general cleaning, maintenance, garbage collection has achieved European standards . Country roads passing through the Bosporus suspension bridge connecting the continents of 2 The European side has gained rapid tram and metro system finally , built on the coast in sea transportation with the hydrofoil terminals are provided speed and comfort . All industrial establishments on the historic peninsula have been moved to outside of the modern city , the new city and international bus terminal has reduced traffic intensity . The old prison buildings of the city's first large concrete building have been allocated to tourism and converted into 5-star hotel . City east-west axis along the shores of the Marmara dynamic growth continues at full speed , is evolving .