Overview

Although not the capital of Turkey, Istanbul is that the largest city and also the financial, industrial and cultural centre of the country. With a continuously growing population of over 12.5 million, Istanbul is that the 5th largest city within the world. Surrounded by the ocean of Marmara, the Golden Horn, the Bosporus Strait and therefore the Euxine Sea, Istanbul is connected extensively with sea ports.

Famous for being the sole city within the world situated on two continents, Istanbul truly does assemble the East and also the West. Around 70% of the population live of the eu side, yet town is well connected by highways and ferry routes to the Asian side. In fact, the commuter ferrying between each side of Istanbul fortify the town in both business and tourism. The extensive land and sea routes connected through Istanbul create an economic centre for the country, together with international connections for foreign trade routes.

Istanbul's History

Istanbul features a long history dating back to the Copper Age where human settlements have dated back to around 6500BC. During its extensive history, Istanbul has been a capital city and centre of several empires including the Roman Empire, the East empire, the Latin Empire and last the Turkish Empire. Only in 1923 with the forming of the Republic of Turkey was the capital city moved from Istanbul to Ankara.

The city was founded in 667BC as Byzantine, changing its name in 330AD to Constantinople, how it remained until becoming Istanbul with the forming of the Republic. Istanbul began to require on its modern form within the 1940s when many historical buildings were destroyed to form avenues, boulevards and public squares.

Re-creation of town within the middle of the 20th century was insufficient to address the huge increase experienced during the 70s and 80s. the development of latest factories presented strong employment opportunities resulting in years of expansion, causing the town to quite triple in population.

The excessive increment result in fast and illegal construction to address the demand, with over 60% of the newly built housing being below standards. This high density of poor construction caused devastating consequences during the 1999 earthquake that affected town. Construction following 1999 has been to high standards with precautions against future possible earthquakes, continuously striving to cater to the increase of around 3.5% every year.

Featuring a seemingly never ending list of attractions, Istanbul continues to draw visitors and migrants for holidays and relocation purposes. The extensive history and culture of the region blends effortlessly with the fashionable social and ethnic diversity of the city's inhabitants. Various visitors are drawn to town on an annual basis from all corners of the world, whether for its cultural, commercial or historical features.

Transportation to Istanbul

The city is serviced by two international airports, the most one being on the ecu side and therefore the smaller airport on the Asian side. Istanbul is additionally easily reached through its international highway, train and coach links, while its port is taken into account to be the foremost important within the country. Convenient travelling options are abundant within the city, with a subway, light rail, buses, trams and motorways.

Recreational sailing from the various marinas of town has long been a pleasurable sport for locals and visitors alike. While town is surrounded by seas, beach style resorts don't seem to be a component of the Istanbul lifestyle, with resort towns predominantly along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastline.

What you'll See in Istanbul?

Attractions of visiting Istanbul's city lifestyle include cultural features like historical mosques, palaces and castles, together with varied festivals, concerts, galleries, museums and shopping. Sporting events are catered for with golf, sailing, and football amongst many others.

Golf Tourism

Istanbul features the biggest concentration of golf courses currently in Turkey. New golf courses are currently being constructed along the touristic areas of the Aegean coastal resort towns, yet Istanbul continues to guide the golfing sector with three of the country's most vital clubs. Opened in 1895, the Istanbul Golf Club is that the oldest within the country and one among|one amongst|one in every of} the oldest in all of Europe. The Klassis Golf and society may be a renowned exclusive club holding several international tournaments. The Kemer Golf and lodge is constructed to USGC standards and regarded to be the foremost impressive club within the whole country.

Weather in Istanbul

As Istanbul's climate can vary remarkably, visiting town in either summer or winter can provide dramatically different attractions. plagued by both the sea to the north and therefore the Mediterranean within the south, summers are humid with temperatures averaging around 28ºC, while the winters average around 5ºC with snowfall not uncommon.