Our tour guide Attila (not the Hun) gave provided us with the historical significance of the city and major facts and interesting information about Turkey, Turkish history and culture.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and has a population of 13.26 million as of 2010 which is 17.98% of Turkey’s population and is one the largest cities in Europe. It is considered a megacity along with the cultural, economic and financial center of Turkey. Located in the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. Istanbul extends on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) sides of the Bosphorus and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents-designated alpha world city.
Istanbul has served as the capital for the Roman Empire (330-395), Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). Istanbul has also been chosen as a joint European Capital of Culture for 2010 and the European Capital of Sports for 2012. They are also currently bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
One of the first things you noticed is that it is very hot in Istanbul, but normally has a Mediterranean climate. The population of Istanbul more than tripled between 1980 and 2005. Approximately 70% of native Istanbul live in the European section with the rest living across the water way in the Asian section. In the southeast region of Turkey the unemployment rate has been extremely high and so many people from that region migrated to Istanbul to establish themselves in the outskirts of the city. During the Middle Ages, Istanbul was the largest city in the world, and has been one of the world’s largest and most important cities during much of its history.
Istanbul’s geographical significance since ancient times brought representatives of ethnic groups from all over Europe, Asia, and Africa, many of whom became assimilated with the local Greek and later Turkish populations.
In Istanbul the religion with the largest community of followers is Islam, but the government is not a religious government and allows freedom of religion. According to a census that was taken in 2000 there were 2,691 active mosques, 123 active churches and 26 active synagogues in Istanbul. The Muslims are by far the largest religious group in Istanbul. In 2007 there were 2,944 active mosques in Istanbul.
Istanbul has been the largest city and a former political capital of the country as well as always been the center of Turkey’s economic life because of its location as a junction of the international land and sea trade routes.
Source: http://english.istanbul.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul
Source: http://english.istanbul.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul
