Istanbul 3391396 225987176 2008-07-16T09:53:01Z Jona Lendering 2230736 /* History */ {{Infobox Settlement <!--for more fields see Template:Infobox Settlement--> |official_name=Istanbul |settlement_type= |established_title= Founded |established_date=667&nbsp;BC as [[Byzantium]] |established_title1=[[Roman Empire|Roman]]/[[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period |established_date1=AD&nbsp;330 as [[New Rome|Nova Roma]] (original name given in 330 and used during [[Constantine I|Constantine]]'s reign) and later [[Constantinople]] (following Constantine's death in 337) |established_title2=[[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] period |established_date2=1453 as Konstantiniyye (in [[Ottoman Turkish (language)|Ottoman Turkish]]), Constantinople (internationally) and [[Names of Istanbul|various other names in local languages]] |established_title3=[[Turkey|Turkish Republic]] period |established_date3=1923 as Istanbul (in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]) and Constantinople (internationally), renamed as Istanbul also in foreign languages following the Turkish Postal Service Law of March 28, 1930 |timezone=[[Eastern European Time|EET]] |utc_offset=+2 |map_caption=Location of Istanbul within Turkey. |timezone_DST=[[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]] |utc_offset_DST=+3 |image_skyline=Topkapi Palace Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque.jpg |image_caption=[[Topkapı Palace]] - [[Hagia Sophia]] - [[Sultan Ahmed Mosque|Blue Mosque]] |image_blank_emblem=Ibb.gif |blank_emblem_type=Emblem of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality |subdivision_type=[[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name={{TUR}} |subdivision_type1=[[Regions of Turkey|Region]] |subdivision_name1=Marmara |subdivision_type2=[[Provinces of Turkey|Province]] |subdivision_name2=Istanbul |parts_type=[[#Districts|Districts]] |parts=27 |population_total=11,372,613<!--Total population of the districts that officially form Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality as reported by TUIK for the 2007 survey. Do not replace with 10,757,327, which is only the total population of the district centers within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Do not replace with 12,573,836 either. That's for the PROVINCE of Istanbul, not for the city. Also do not replace with 11,174,257, as that's the total population of district centers within the PROVINCE and not the city.--> ([[List of cities proper by population|3rd]]) |population_as_of=2007 |population_footnotes= <ref name="Turkey pop 2007">[http://www.tuik.gov.tr/jsp/duyuru/upload/adnks_Harita_TR/HaritaTR.html Türkiye istatistik kurumu] Address-based population survey 2007. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.</ref> |population_density_km2=6211 |area_total_km2=1830.92<!-- source: http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Organization/AuthorityArea/Pages/AnaSayfa.aspx --> |elevation_m=100 |pushpin_map=Turkey |pushpin_label_position=<!--the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none--> |pushpin_map_caption=Location of Istanbul on the Bosphorus Strait, Turkey |pushpin_mapsize= |latd =41.01224 |longd =28.976018 |postal_code_type=[[Postal code]] |postal_code=34010 to 34850 and <br> 80000 to 81800 |area_code=(+90) 212 (European side) <br> (+90) 216 (Asian side) |leader_name=[[Kadir Topbaş]] |leader_party=[[Justice and Development Party (Turkey)|AKP]] |leader_name1=[[Muammer Güler]] |blank_info=34 |blank_name=[[Turkish car number plates|Licence&nbsp;plate]] ||website=<!--not informative: [http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality]-->[http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/ Istanbul Portal] }} {{Infobox World Heritage Site |WHS=Historic Areas of Istanbul |Image= |State Party={{TUR}} |Type=Cultural |Criteria=I, II, III, IV |ID=356 |Region=[[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]] |Year=1985 |Session=9th |Link=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/356 }} '''Istanbul''' (historically '''[[Byzantium]]''', '''[[Constantinople]]''', and [[names of Istanbul|other names]]) is [[Europe]]'s most populous city ([[List of cities proper by population|the world's 3rd largest city proper]] and [[List of urban areas by population|21st largest urban area]]) and [[Turkey]]'s cultural and financial center. The city covers 27 districts of the [[Istanbul Province|Istanbul province]].<ref>[http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Organization/AuthorityArea/Pages/Districts.aspx Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality: Districts of Istanbul]</ref> It is located on the [[Bosporus|Bosphorus Strait]] and encompasses the natural [[harbor]] known as the [[Golden Horn]], in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European ([[Thrace]]) and on the Asian ([[Anatolia]]) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only [[metropolis]] in the world which is situated on two [[continent]]s. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the [[Roman Empire]] (330–395), the [[Byzantine Empire|East Roman (Byzantine) Empire]] (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the [[Latin Empire]] (1204–1261), and the [[Ottoman Empire]] (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint [[European Capital of Culture]] for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in 1985.<ref>[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/356 UNESCO | Historic Areas of Istanbul]</ref> ==Names== {{Further|[[Names of Istanbul]]}} The modern Turkish name '''İstanbul''' ([[IPA]]: {{IPA|[isˈtanbul]}} or colloquial {{IPA|[ɨsˈtanbul]}}) has been used to describe this city, in a range of different variants, from as far back as the 10th century; it has been the common name for the city in normal Turkish speech since before the [[Fall of Constantinople|conquest of 1453]]. Etymologically, it derives from the [[Medieval Greek|Greek]] phrase {{polytonic|"εἰς τὴν [[Polis|Πόλιν]]"}} {{IPA|[istimˈbolin]}} or in the Aegean dialect {{polytonic|"εἰς τὰν Πόλιν"}} {{IPA|[istamˈbolin]}} (modern Greek "στην Πόλι" {{IPA|[stimˈboli]}}), which means "in the city", "to the city" or "downtown".<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=The Names of Istanbul|encyclopedia=Dünden bugüne İstanbul ansiklopedisi|volume=5|publisher=Ciltli|date=1994}}</ref> [[Byzantium]] is the first known name of the city. In 667 B.C., this [[Doric]] colony was founded by settlers from the city-state of [[Megara]], and they named the colony after their king [[Byzas]].<ref>{{cite website|title=The Early History of Constantinople|url=http://www.logoi.com/notes/history_of_constantinople.html|accessdate=2008-07-12}}</ref> When Roman emperor [[Constantine I]] (Constantine the Great) made the city the new eastern capital of the [[Roman Empire]] on May 11, 330, he conferred on it the name ''Nova Roma'' ("New Rome"). [[Constantinople]] ("City of Constantine") was the name by which the city became instead more widely known. It is first attested in official use under emperor [[Theodosius II]] (408–450).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=The Names of Istanbul|encyclopedia=Dünden bugüne İstanbul ansiklopedisi|volume=5|publisher=Ciltli|date=1994}}</ref> It remained the principal official name of the city throughout the Byzantine period, and the most common name used for it in the West until the early 20th century. The city has also been nicknamed "[[List of cities claimed to be built on seven hills|The City on Seven Hills]]" because the historic [[peninsula]], the oldest part of the city, was built on seven hills (just like Rome), each of which bears a historic [[mosque]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com.tr/ngm/0409/1den7ye/default.asp|title=Kültür Haritaları Serisi|accessdate=2007-01-16|author=Prof. Dr. Murat Belge|publisher= National Geographic Türkiye|language=Turkish}}</ref> The hills are represented in the city's emblem with seven triangles, above which rise four [[minaret]]s. Two of many other old nicknames of Istanbul are ''Vasilevousa Polis'' (the ''Queen of Cities''), which rose from the city's importance and wealth throughout the [[Middle Ages]]; and ''Dersaadet'', originally ''Der-i Saadet'' (the ''Door to Happiness'') which was first used towards the end of 19th century and is still remembered today. With the Turkish Postal Service Law of [[March 28]], [[1930]], the Turkish authorities officially requested foreigners to adopt Istanbul as the sole name also in their own languages.<ref>{{cite book|last=Robinson|first=Richard D.|title=The First Turkish Republic: A Case Study in National Development|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=1965|location=Cambridge}}</ref> ==History== {{main|History of Istanbul}} {{rquote|right|''If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital''.|[[Napoleon Bonaparte]]<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.econ.iastate.edu/department/news/newsletter/Files/IEA-WorldCongress.pdf|title=5th World Congress of the International Economic Association|accessdate=2007-09-12|format=pdf}}]</ref>}} The first human settlement in Istanbul, the Fikirtepe mound on the Anatolian side, is from the [[Copper Age]] period, with artifacts dating from 5500–3500 BC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kultur.gov.tr/EN/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D313A79D6F5E6C1B43FF6169B43EA8C08474|title=Cultural Details of Istanbul|publisher=Republic of Turkey, Minister of Culture and Tourism|accessdate=2007-10-02}}</ref> A port settlement dating back to the [[Phoenicia]]ns has been discovered in nearby [[Kadıköy]] ([[Chalcedon]]). Cape Moda in Chalcedon was the first location which the [[Greeks|Greek]] settlers of [[Megara]] chose to colonize in 685 BC, prior to colonising [[Byzantion]] on the European side of the Bosphorus under the command of King [[Byzas]] in 667 BC. Byzantion was established on the site of an ancient port settlement named ''Lygos'', founded by [[Thracians|Thracian]] tribes between the 13th and 11th centuries BC, along with the neighbouring ''Semistra'',<ref name=cathenc>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Vailhé|first= S.|encyclopedia=Catholic Encyclopedia|title=Constantinople|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04301a.htm|accessdate=2007-09-12|year=1908|publisher=Robert Appleton Company|volume=4|location=New York}}</ref> of which [[Pliny the Elder|Plinius]] had mentioned in his historical accounts. Only a few walls and substructures belonging to Lygos have survived to date, near the [[Seraglio Point]] ({{lang-tr|Sarayburnu}}), where the famous [[Topkapı Palace]] now stands. During the period of Byzantion, the Acropolis used to stand where the Topkapı Palace stands today. After siding with [[Pescennius Niger]] against the victorious [[Roman emperor]] [[Septimius Severus]], the city was besieged by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] and suffered extensive damage in 196 AD. Byzantium was rebuilt by [[Severus]] and quickly regained its previous prosperity, being temporarily renamed as ''Augusta Antonina'' by the emperor, in honor of his son.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Britannica Online|title=Istanbul|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9106446|accessdate=2007-09-27|year=2007|month=September}}</ref> {{wide image|Constantinople Panoramic Normalised.png|1000px|Panoramic view of the city in the 1870s as seen from the [[Galata Tower]] ([[:Image:Constantinople-Photo-Panoramic view2.png|full image]])}} The location of Byzantium attracted Constantine I in 324 after a prophetic dream was said to have identified the location of the city; but the true reason behind this prophecy was probably Constantine's final victory over [[Licinius]] at the [[Battle of Chrysopolis]] ([[Üsküdar]]) on the Bosphorus, on [[September 18]], 324, which ended the civil war between the Roman Co-Emperors, and brought an end to the final vestiges of the [[Tetrarchy]] system, during which [[Nicomedia]] (present-day [[İzmit]], {{convert|100|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} east of Istanbul) was the most senior Roman capital city.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=De Imperatoribus Romanis|title=Imperial Battle Descriptions, A.D. 306-363|url=http://www.roman-emperors.org/bd306.htm|accessdate=2007-09-12|year=2004|month=November}}</ref> Byzantium (now renamed as ''[[New Rome|Nova Roma]]'' which eventually became ''Constantinopolis'', i.e. "The City of Constantine") was officially proclaimed the new capital of the [[Roman Empire]] six years later, in 330. Following the death of [[Theodosius I]] in 395 and the permanent partition of the Roman Empire between his two sons, Constantinople became the capital of the [[Byzantine Empire|Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire]]. As well as being the centre of an imperial dynasty, the unique position of Constantinople at the centre of two continents made the city a magnet for international [[commerce]], [[culture]] and [[diplomacy]]. The Byzantine Empire was distinctly Greek in culture and became the centre of Greek Orthodox Christianity, while its capital was adorned with many magnificent [[church]]es, including the [[Hagia Sophia]], once the world's largest [[cathedral]].<ref>A description of the city in this period can be found in the [[Notitia urbis Constantinopolitanae]] ([http://www.livius.org/cn-cs/constantinople/notitia_urbis_constantinopolitanae.html text]).</ref> The seat of the [[Patriarch of Constantinople]], spiritual leader of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], still remains in the [[Fener]] (Greek: Phanar) district of Istanbul.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Vailhé|first=S.|encyclopedia=Catholic Encyclopedia|title=Constantinople|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04301a.htm|accessdate=2007-09-12|year=1908|publisher=Robert Appleton Company|volume=4|location=New York}}</ref> In 1204, the [[Fourth Crusade]] was launched to capture [[Jerusalem]], but had instead turned on Constantinople, which was sacked and desecrated.<ref>{{cite book|last=Phillips|first=Jonathan|title=The Fourth Crusade|publisher=Pimlico|location=London|year=2005|isbn=1844130800}}</ref> The city subsequently became the centre of the Catholic [[Latin Empire]], created by the crusaders to replace the Orthodox Byzantine Empire, which was divided into a number of splinter states, of which the [[Empire of Nicaea]] was to recapture Constantinople in 1261 under the command of [[Michael VIII Palaeologus]]. {{wide image|Golden Horn Panorama Istanbul.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of the [[Golden Horn]] in Istanbul, as seen from the [[Galata Tower]]. The [[Galata Bridge]] can be seen in the center of the picture. The [[Seraglio Point]] where the [[Topkapı Palace]] is located is seen at the left tip of the historic peninsula; followed by (left to right) the [[Hagia Sophia]], the [[Sultan Ahmed Mosque]], the [[Yeni Mosque]] near the Galata Bridge, the [[Beyazıt Tower]] rising high in the background, and the [[Süleymaniye Mosque]] at far right, among others. The [[Sea of Marmara]] and the [[Princes' Islands]] are seen in the background, on the horizon. At the extreme left of the picture, the district of [[Kadıköy]] (ancient [[Chalcedon]]) on the Asian side of the city can be seen. Behind the Galata Bridge, towards the horizon, the [[Column of Constantine]] (which was surrounded by iron bars for restoration at the time of this photo) rises.}} In the last decades of the Byzantine Empire, the city had decayed as the Byzantine state became increasingly isolated and financially bankrupt, its population had dwindled to some thirty or forty thousand people whilst large sections remained uninhabited.<ref name="Kinross-2002">{{cite book|last=Kinross|first=Patrick|authorlink=John Balfour, 3rd Baron Kinross|title=The Ottoman Centuries: The Rise and Fall of the Turkish Empire|publisher=Perrenial|location=New York|year=2002|isbn=0688080936|oclc=57554744}}</ref> Due to the ever increasing inward turn the Byzantines took, many facets of their surrounding empire were now falling apart, leaving them vulnerable to attack. [[Ottoman Turks]] began a strategy by which they took selected towns and smaller cities over time, enveloping [[Bursa]] in 1326, [[Nicomedia]] in 1337, [[Gallipoli]] in 1354, and finally [[Adrianople]] in 1362. This essentially cut off Constantinople from its main supply routes, strangling it slowly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=2763&HistoryID=ac59|title=History of the Byzantine Empire|accessdate=2007-09-27|author=Bamber Gascoigne|publisher=HistoryWorld}}</ref> On [[May 29]], [[1453]], [[Mehmed II|Sultan Mehmed II]] "the Conqueror" [[Fall of Constantinople|captured]] Constantinople after a 53-day [[siege]] and proclaimed that the city was now the new capital of his Ottoman Empire. Sultan Mehmed's first duty was to rejuvenate the city economically, creating the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] and inviting the fleeing Orthodox and Catholic inhabitants to return. Captured prisoners were freed to settle in the city whilst provincial governors in Rumelia and Anatolia were ordered to send four thousand families to settle in the city, whether Muslim, Christian or Jew, to form a unique [[Multicultural|cosmopolitan]] [[society]].<ref name="Kinross-2002"/> The Sultan also endowed the city with various architectural monuments, including the Topkapı Palace and the [[Eyüp Sultan Mosque]]. Religious foundations were established to fund the construction of grand imperial mosques (such as the [[Fatih Mosque]] which was built on the spot where the [[Church of the Holy Apostles]] once stood), adjoined by their associated schools, hospitals and public baths. [[Suleiman the Magnificent]]'s reign of the [[Ottoman Empire]] from 1520 to 1566 was a period of great artistic and architectural achievements. The famous architect [[Sinan]] designed many mosques and other grand buildings in the city, while Ottoman arts of [[Ceramics (art)|ceramics]] and [[calligraphy]] also flourished. {{wide image|Bosphorus Istanbul 2007.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of the historic peninsula of Istanbul, looking westwards from the southern entrance of the [[Bosporus]] at the [[Sea of Marmara]]. From left to right, the [[Sultan Ahmed Mosque]], the [[Hagia Sophia]] and the [[Topkapı Palace]] are seen, along with the surviving sections of the [[Walls of Constantinople|Sea Walls of Constantinople]]. The [[Galata Tower]] is seen at the far right of the picture, across the [[Golden Horn]]. The arches and vaults of the Byzantine-era ''Mangana'' (Armoury) and the ''Hagios Georgios Monastery'' which was located inside it are seen between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, near the shore. The dome of the [[Hagia Irene]] can be seen to the right of the Hagia Sophia.}} When the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 by [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], the capital was moved from Istanbul to [[Ankara]]. In the early years of the republic, Istanbul was overlooked in favour of the new capital Ankara. However, in the 1950s, Istanbul underwent great structural change, as new roads and factories were constructed throughout the city. Wide modern boulevards, avenues and public squares were built in Istanbul, sometimes at the expense of the demolition of many historical buildings. During the 1970s, the population of Istanbul began to rapidly increase as people from [[Anatolia]] migrated to the city in order to find employment in the many new factories that were constructed at the outskirts of the city. This sudden sharp increase in the population caused a rapid rise in housing development, and many previously outlying villages became engulfed into the greater metropolis of Istanbul. Illegal construction, combined with corner-cutting methods, have accounted for the reason why 65% of all of the buildings in Istanbul are not up to standard. The concerns have increased due to the serious nature of the Izmit earthquake of 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/turkey/story/0,,1968218,00.html#article_continue|title=A disaster waiting to happen - why a huge earthquake near Istanbul seems inevitable|accessdate=2007-09-27|author=Ian Traynor|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:Istambul and Bosporus big.jpg|thumb|Istanbul and the [[Bosporus]]]] Istanbul is located in the north-west [[Marmara Region, Turkey|Marmara Region]] of Turkey. It encloses the southern Bosphorus which places the city on two continents&mdash;the western portion of Istanbul is in Europe, while the eastern portion is in Asia. The city boundaries cover a surface area of {{convert|1539|km2|sqmi|0|spell=us}}, while the metropolitan region, or the [[Istanbul Province|Province of Istanbul]], covers {{convert|6220|km2|sqmi|0|spell=us}}. ===Climate=== The city has a [[Mediterranean climate]] with hot and humid summers; and cool, rainy and often snowy winters. Humidity is generally rather high which can make temperatures feel much warmer or colder than they actually are. Yearly precipitation for Istanbul averages {{convert|640|mm|in|1}}.<ref name=Weatherbase/> Snowfall is quite common, snowing for a week or two during the winter season, but it can be heavy once it snows. It is most likely to occur between the months of December and March. The summer months between June and September bring average daytime temperatures of 28 °C (82 °F). The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 23.3 °C (74 °F), the coldest is January with 5.6 °C (42 °F). The weather becomes slightly cooler as one moves toward eastern Istanbul. Summer is by far the driest season, although there is no real summer drought such as those occurring at Mediterranean climates or in the arid interior of Turkey. The city is quite windy, having an average wind speed of 17 km/h (11 mph). {{-}} <!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather |metric_first= Yes<!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial--> |single_line= <!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.--> |location =Istanbul |Jan_Hi_°F =46 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely--> |Feb_Hi_°F =47 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = |Mar_Hi_°F =51 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = |Apr_Hi_°F =60 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = |May_Hi_°F =69 |May_REC_Hi_°F = |Jun_Hi_°F =78 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = |Jul_Hi_°F =82 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = |Aug_Hi_°F =82 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = |Sep_Hi_°F =76 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = |Oct_Hi_°F =67 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = |Nov_Hi_°F =57 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = |Dec_Hi_°F =50 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = |Year_Hi_°F =64 |Year_REC_Hi_°F = |Jan_Lo_°F =37 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = |Feb_Lo_°F =37 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = |Mar_Lo_°F =40 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = |Apr_Lo_°F =47 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F = |May_Lo_°F =54 |May_REC_Lo_°F = |Jun_Lo_°F =62 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = |Jul_Lo_°F =66 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = |Aug_Lo_°F =67 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = |Sep_Lo_°F =61 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = |Oct_Lo_°F =55 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = |Nov_Lo_°F =47 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = |Dec_Lo_°F =42 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = |Year_Lo_°F = 51 |Year_REC_Lo_°F = |Jan_Precip_inch =3.7 |Feb_Precip_inch =2.8 |Mar_Precip_inch = 2.3 |Apr_Precip_inch =1.7 |May_Precip_inch =1.2 |Jun_Precip_inch =0.9 |Jul_Precip_inch =0.7 |Aug_Precip_inch =0.6 |Sep_Precip_inch =1.1 |Oct_Precip_inch =2.1 |Nov_Precip_inch =3.5 |Dec_Precip_inch =4.0 |Year_Precip_inch =25.2 |source =Weatherbase<ref name=Weatherbase>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=006071&refer=|title=Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information|accessmonthday=Jan 4|accessyear=2008}}</ref> |accessdate=2008-01-04 }}<!--Infobox ends--> ===Geology=== [[Image:Istanbul Bogazici Ulus view 3690-3699.jpg|thumb|Panoramic view of the [[Bosporus]] from the hills of the Ulus district]] Istanbul is situated near the [[North Anatolian fault]] line, which runs from northern [[Anatolia]] to the [[Marmara Sea]]. Two [[tectonic plate]]s, the African and the Eurasian, push against each other here. This fault line has been responsible for several deadly earthquakes in the region throughout history. In 1509 a catastrophic earthquake caused a tsunami which broke over the sea-walls of the city, destroying over 100&nbsp;mosques and killing 10,000&nbsp;people. In 1766 the Eyüp Sultan Mosque was largely destroyed. The 1894 earthquake caused the collapse of many parts of the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]]. A devastating earthquake in August 1999, with its epicenter in nearby [[Kocaeli]], left 18,000 dead and many more homeless.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlas.cc.itu.edu.tr/~barka/pubs/ist_haz/istanbul.html|title=Heightened odds of large earthquakes near Istanbul: An interaction-based probability calculation|publisher=Science|date=2000}}</ref> In all of these earthquakes, the devastating effects are a result of the close settlement and poor construction of buildings. Seismologists predict another earthquake, possibly measuring [[Moment magnitude scale|magnitude]] 7.0, occurring before 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/tt/1999/aug25/quake.html|title=Quake increases risk for temblor in Istanbul|date=1999-09-25|publisher=MIT News Office|accessdate=2006-08-20}}</ref> ==Architecture== {{main|Architecture of Istanbul}} Throughout its long history, Istanbul has acquired a reputation for being a cultural and ethnic melting pot. As a result, there are many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers to visit in the city. Some of these historical structures, which draw millions to the city every year, reflect the heart and soul of Istanbul.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Haber.aspx?NewsID=33|title=Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality attends to Madrid-FITUR Tourism Fair|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> [[Image:Istanbul da Üsküdar.jpg|thumb|left|[[Maiden's Tower, Istanbul|Maiden's (Leander's) Tower]]]] The famous [[Maiden's Tower, Istanbul|Maiden's (Leander's) Tower]], one of the symbols of Istanbul, was originally built by the ancient [[Athenian]] general [[Alcibiades]] in 408 BC to control the movements of the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] ships in the [[Bosphorus]] strait.<ref name="Britannica-Turkish">Ana Britannica: Turkish edition of Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> Back then it was located between the cities of [[Byzantion]] and [[Chrysopolis]]. The tower was later enlarged and rebuilt as a fortress by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos|Alexius Comnenus]] in 1110, and was rebuilt and restored several times by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Turks]], most significantly in 1509 and 1763.<ref name="Britannica-Turkish"/> The most important monuments of Roman architecture in the city include the [[Column of Constantine]] ({{lang-tr|Çemberlitaş}}), which was erected in 330 by [[Constantine the Great]] for marking the declaration of the new capital city of the [[Roman Empire]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Beyazit/cemberlitas.html|title=Çemberlitas (Burnt Column), Istanbul|publisher=TurkeyTravelPlanner.com|accessdate=2008-05-15}}</ref> and contained several fragments of the [[True Cross]] and other artifacts belonging to [[Jesus Christ]] and [[Virgin Mary]], the ''Mazulkemer Aqueduct'', the [[Valens Aqueduct]], the ''Column of the Goths'' at the Seraglio Point, the ''Milion'' which served for calculating the distances between Constantinople and other cities of the Roman Empire, and the [[Hippodrome of Constantinople]] which was built following the model of the [[Circus Maximus]] in [[Rome]]. Construction of the [[Walls of Constantinople]] began under Constantine the Great,<ref>{{cite book|title=History of the Later Roman Empire Vol. I|last=Bury|first= John Bagnell|authorlink=J. B. Bury|year=1923|publisher=Macmillan & Co., Ltd.|location=|pages=70}}</ref> who enlarged the previously existing walls of Byzantium in order to defend the new Roman capital city which quickly grew following its proclamation as Nova Roma. A new set of walls was built further west during the reign of [[Theodosius II]], and rebuilt after an earthquake in 447 in their current shape. [[Image:Hagia Sophia B12-40.jpg|thumb|[[Hagia Sophia]]]] The early Byzantine architecture followed the classical Roman model of domes and arches, but further improved these architectural concepts, as evidenced with the [[Hagia Sophia]], which is the largest structure on Sultanahmet Square in the [[Eminönü]] district. The Hagia Sophia was designed by [[Isidore of Miletus|Isidorus]] and [[Anthemius of Tralles|Anthemius]] as the third church to rise on this location, between 532 and 537, following the [[Nika riots]] (532) during which the second church was destroyed (the first church, known as the ''Megala Ekklessia'' ("Great Church") was inaugurated by [[Constantius II]] in 360; the second church was inaugurated by Theodosius II in 405, while the third and current one was inaugurated by [[Justinian the Great|Justinian]] in 537). The [[Little Hagia Sophia|Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus]] (commonly known as the ''Little Hagia Sophia''), which was the first church built by Justinian in Constantinople and edificed between 527 and 536, had earlier signaled such an improvement in the design of domed buildings, which require complex solutions for carrying the structure. The present-day [[Hagia Irene]] (which was originally built by Constantine in the 4th century, but was later enlarged by Justinian in the 6th century) and the [[Basilica Cistern]] are also from this period. [[Image:Galata tower istanbul.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Galata Tower]]]] The most important churches which were built after the Byzantines recovered Constantinople from the Latin Crusaders in 1261 include the [[Pammakaristos Church]] and [[Chora Church]]. Also in this period, the [[Genoese]] [[Podestà]] of [[Galata]], Montano de Marinis, built the ''Palazzo del Comune'' (1314), a copy of the San Giorgio Palace in [[Genoa]], which still stands in ruins on the back streets of ''Bankalar Caddesi'' in Galata, together with its adjacent buildings and numerous Genoese houses from the early 1300s. The Genoese also built the [[Galata Tower]], which they named as ''Christea Turris'' (Tower of Christ), at the highest point of the citadel of Galata, in 1348. The Ottoman Turks built the [[Anadoluhisarı]] on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in 1394, and the [[Rumelihisarı]] at the opposite (European) shore, in 1452, a year before the conquest of [[Constantinople]]. The main purpose of these castles, armed with the long range ''Balyemez'' (''Faule Metze'') cannons, was to block the sea traffic of the Bosphorus and prevent the support ships from the [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] colonies on the [[Black Sea]] ports, such as [[Caffa]], [[Sinop]], and [[Amasra]], from reaching Constantinople and helping the Byzantines during the Turkish siege of the city. [[Image:Topkapi Palace from Galata Bridge.jpg|thumb|[[Topkapı Palace]]]] Following the Ottoman conquest of the city, Sultan [[Mehmed II]] initiated a wide scale reconstruction plan, which included the construction of grand buildings such as the [[Eyüp Sultan Mosque]], [[Fatih Mosque]], [[Topkapı Palace]], the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] and the [[Yedikule|Yedikule (Seven Towers) Castle]] which guarded the main entrance gate of the city, the ''Porta Aurea'' (Golden Gate). In the centuries following Mehmed II, many new important buildings, such as the [[Süleymaniye Mosque]], [[Sultanahmet Mosque]], [[Yeni Mosque]] and numerous others were constructed. In the 18th and 19th centuries, traditional Ottoman architectural styles were gradually replaced by European styles, such as the [[Baroque]] style interiors of the Aynalıkavak Palace (1677–1679) and Nuruosmaniye Mosque (1748–1755, the first Baroque style mosque in the city, also famous for its Baroque fountain), and the 18th century Baroque additions to the Harem section of the Topkapı Palace. Following the [[Tanzimat]] reforms which effectively started Turkey's Europeanization process in 1839, new palaces and mosques were built in [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]], [[Baroque]] and [[Rococo]] styles, or a mixture of all three, such as the [[Dolmabahçe Palace]], [[Beylerbeyi Palace]] and [[Ortaköy Mosque|Ortaköy (Mecidiye) Mosque]]. Starting from the early 19th century, the areas around [[İstiklal Avenue]] were filled with grandiose embassy buildings belonging to prominent European states, and rows of European (mostly Neoclassical and later [[Art Nouveau]]) style buildings started to appear on both flanks of the avenue. Istanbul especially became a major center of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with famous architects of this style like [[Raimondo D'Aronco]] building many palaces and mansions in the city proper and on the [[Princes' Islands]]. His most important works in the city include several buildings of the [[Yıldız Palace]] complex, and the ''Botter House'' on İstiklal Avenue. The famous ''[[Camondo]] Stairs'' on Bankalar Caddesi (Banks Street) in [[Karaköy]] ([[Galata]]) is also a beautiful example of Art Nouveau architecture. Other important examples are the ''Hıdiv Kasrı'' (Khedive Palace) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, ''Flora Han'' in [[Sirkeci]], and ''Frej Apartmanı'' in the Şişhane quarter of [[Beyoğlu]]. ===Urbanism === {{Seealso|List of urban centers in Istanbul|l1=Urban centers}} [[Image:Akmerkez3.jpg|thumb|[[Akmerkez]] in [[Etiler]] is the only shopping mall in the world which won both "Europe's Best" and "World's Best" awards by [[ICSC]]]] [[Image:Bağdat Caddesi 8.jpg|thumb|The {{convert|6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long [[Bağdat Avenue]] on the Anatolian side has rows of shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants lining up its wide granite pavements on both flanks]] The urban landscape is constantly changing. In the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods, the city was largely made up of the historic peninsula of [[Constantinople]], with the citadel of [[Galata]] (also called ''Sykae'' or ''[[Pera]]'') at north, and [[Chrysopolis]] ([[Üsküdar]]) and [[Chalcedon]] ([[Kadıköy]]) at east, across the [[Bosphorus]]. These were all independent cities back then. The present City of Istanbul can be considered the metropolitan area of old Constantinople, encompassing every single settlement around the original city, and expanding even further with the establishment of new neighbourhoods and districts since the 19th century. Until the early 19th century, the city walls of [[Galata]], the medieval [[Genoese]] citadel, used to stand. These Genoese fortifications, of which only the [[Galata Tower]] stands today, were demolished in the early 1800s to give way for a northwards expansion of the city, towards the neighbourhoods of [[Beşiktaş]], [[Şişli]], [[Nişantaşı]], and beyond. [[Image:Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul on 3 June 2007.jpg|thumb|left|[[İstiklal Avenue]] in [[Beyoğlu]]]] In the last decades, numerous tall structures were built around the city to accommodate a rapid growth in population. Surrounding towns were absorbed into Istanbul as the city rapidly expanded outwards. The tallest highrise office and residential buildings are mostly located in the northern areas of the European side, and especially in the business and shopping districts of [[Levent]], [[Maslak]], and [[Etiler]] which are situated between the [[Bosphorus Bridge]] and [[Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge]]. Levent and Etiler also have numerous upmarket shopping malls, like [[Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul|Kanyon]], [[Metrocity]], [[Akmerkez]], Mayadrom and Mayadrom Uptown. The headquarters of Turkey's largest companies and banks are also located in this area. Starting from the second half of the 20th century, the Asian side of Istanbul, which was originally a tranquil place full of seaside summer residences and elegant chalet mansions surrounded by lush and vast umbrella pine gardens, experienced a massive urban growth. The construction of the long, wide and elegant [[Bağdat Avenue]], with its rows of upscale shops and restaurants, contributed much to the initial expansion in the area. The fact that these areas were largely empty until the 1960s also provided the chance for developing better infrastructure and a tidier urban planning when compared with most other residential areas in the city. But the real expansion of the Asian side came with the opening of ''Ankara Asfaltı'', the Asian extension of the E5 highway, which is located to the north of Bağdat Avenue, parallel to the railway line. Another important factor in the recent growth of the Asian side of the city was migration from [[Anatolia]]. Today, more than 1/3 of the city's population live in the Asian side of Istanbul. As a result of Istanbul's exponential growth during the second half of the 20th century, a significant portion of the city's outskirts consists of ''[[gecekondu]]s'', a Turkish word created in the 1940s meaning ‘built overnight’ and referring to the illegally constructed squatter buildings that comprise entire neighbourhoods and run rampant outside the historic centers of Turkey's largest cities, especially Istanbul, [[Ankara]], [[İzmir]], and [[Bursa (Turkey)|Bursa]]. At present, some gecekondu areas are being gradually demolished and replaced by modern mass-housing compounds. ==Administration== ===Organization=== {{See also|List of mayors of Istanbul}} The mayor of Istanbul, currently [[Kadir Topbaş]], serves as the prefect of the city, as well as governor of the province.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/296962/Istanbul/12387/Administration-and-social-conditions|title=Istanbul|accessdate=2008-05-15|date=2008|work=Brittanica}}</ref> Istanbul is a [[devolution|home rule]] city and municipal elections are mainly [[Partisan (political)|partisan]]. The metropolitan model of governance has been used with the establishment of metropolitan administration in 1930. The metropolitan council is responsible for all authority when it comes to making city decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Organization/belediyemeclisi/Pages/AnaSayfa.aspx|title=Council|accessdate=2008-05-15|date=2008|work=İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi|}}</ref> The metropolitan government structure consists of three main organs: (1) The Metropolitan Mayor (elected every five years), (2) The Metropolitan Council (decision making body with the mayor, district Mayors, and one fifth of the district municipal councilors), (3) The metropolitan executive committee. There are three types of local authorities: (1) municipalities, (2) special provincial administrations, (3) village administrations. Among the local authorities, municipalities are gaining greater importance with the rise in urbanization. ===Districts=== {{Istanbul Labelled Map|float=right}} [[Istanbul Province]] has 32 districts, of which 27 form the city proper of Istanbul, also called [[Greater Istanbul]], administered by the ''Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality'' (or ''Municipality of Metropolitan Istanbul'') ({{lang-tr|İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi}}. These city districts, each of which forms a municipality with an elected mayor and council,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Organization/AuthorityArea/Pages/Districts.aspx|title=Districts|accessdate=2008-05-15|date=2008|work=İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi}}</ref> can be grouped into three main areas: (1) the historic peninsula, (2) the areas north of the [[Golden Horn]], and (3) the Asian side. The ''historic peninsula'' of old Istanbul corresponds approximately to the extent of Constantinople in the 15th century; it comprises the districts of [[Eminönü]] and [[Fatih]]. This area lies on the southern shores of the [[Golden Horn]], which separates the old city center from the northern and younger parts of the European side. The historic peninsula ends with the [[Walls of Constantinople|Theodosian Land Walls]] in the west. The peninsula is surrounded by the [[Sea of Marmara]] on the south and the entrance of the [[Bosphorus]] on the east. North of the [[Golden Horn]] are the historical [[Beyoğlu]] and [[Beşiktaş]] districts, where [[Dolmabahçe Palace|the last Sultan's palace]] is located, followed by a chain of former villages such as [[Ortaköy]] and [[Bebek]] along the shores of the Bosphorus. On both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus, wealthy Istanbulites built luxurious chalet mansions, called ''[[yalı]]'', which were used as summer residences. The quarters of [[Üsküdar]] ([[Chrysopolis]]) and [[Kadıköy]] ([[Chalcedon]]) which are located on the Asian side were originally independent cities, like [[Beyoğlu]] ([[Pera]]) also used to be. Today they are full of modern residential areas and business districts, and are home to around one-third of Istanbul's population. ==Demographics== {{Further|[[:Image:Istanbul population in Logs.png|Historical population values]] and [[Demographics of Turkey]]}} [[Image:Istanbul population in Logs.png|thumb|Check the [[:Image:Istanbul population in Logs.png|image detail]] for the data (there is a table that generated this info)]] The city of Istanbul has a population of 11,372,613&nbsp;residents according to the latest count as of 2007,<ref name="Turkey pop 2007" /> and is one of the largest cities in Europe today. Currently Istanbul has 54&nbsp;municipalities, and stretches over an area of about 65&nbsp;miles (approximately 100&nbsp;km). The rate of population growth in the city is currently at 3.45% a year on average, mainly due to the influx of people from the surrounding rural areas. Istanbul's population density of 2,742&nbsp;people per square mile (1,700 per square km) far exceeds Turkey's 130&nbsp;people per square mile (81&nbsp;people per square km).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urge-project.ufz.de/istanbul/general.htm|title=Presentation of Reference City: Istanbul|publisher=Urban Green Environment|accessdate=2007-09-27 (in Turkish)}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" | valign="top" | {| ! style="background:#efefef;"|Year ! style="background:#efefef;"|Population |- |330||align="right"|40,000 |- |400||align="right"|400,000 |- |530||align="right"|550,000 |- |545||align="right"|350,000 |- |715||align="right"|300,000 |- |950||align="right"|400,000 |- |1200||align="right"|150,000 |- |1453||align="right"|36,000 |- |} | valign="top" | {| ! style="background:#efefef;"|Year ! style="background:#efefef;"|Population |- |1477||align="right"|14.803<ref>{{cite book|last=Ortaylı|first=İlber|title=İstanbul'dan Sayfalar, p. 286|publisher=Alkım Yayınevi|location=İstanbul|isbn=9944-148-01-6}}</ref> |- |1566||align="right"|600,000 |- |1817||align="right"|500,000 |- |1860||align="right"|715,000 |- |1885||align="right"|873,570 |- |1890||align="right"|874,000 |- |1897||align="right"|1,059,000 |- |1901||align="right"|942,900 |- |} |valign="top"| {| ! style="background:#efefef;"|Year ! style="background:#efefef;"|Population |- |1914||align="right"|909,978 |- |1927||align="right"|680,857 |- |1935||align="right"|741,148 |- |1940||align="right"|793,949 |- |1945||align="right"|860,558 |- |1950||align="right"|983,041 |- |1955||align="right"|1,268,771 |- |1960||align="right"|1,466,535 |- |} | valign="top" | {| ! style="background:#efefef;"|Year ! style="background:#efefef;"|Population |- |1965||align="right"|1,742,978 |- |1970||align="right"|2,132,407 |- |1975||align="right"|2,547,364 |- |1980||align="right"|2,772,708 |- |1985||align="right"|5,475,982 |- |1990||align="right"|6,629,431 |- |2000||align="right"|8,803,468 |- |2007||align="right"|11,372,613 |} |} ===Religion=== {{main|Religion in Istanbul}} {{Further|[[:Category:Mosques in Istanbul|Mosques]], [[:Category:Churches in Istanbul|Churches]], [[List_of_synagogues_in_Turkey#Istanbul|Synagogues]]}} [[Image:Sultanahmet Camii 2006.JPG|thumb|180px|[[Sultan Ahmed Mosque]], one of the famous mosques of Turkey.]] [[Image:Aya sofya.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Hagia Sophia]] - A former church then mosque, now a museum.]] [[Image:OrtakoyMosqueBosporusIstanbul.jpg|thumb|right|180px|left|[[Ortaköy Mosque]] under the [[Bosphorus Bridge]].]] The urban landscape of Istanbul is shaped by many communities. Among all major religions that are practiced in the city, the one with the most populous community is [[Islam]]. The first mosque in Istanbul was built in [[Kadıköy]] (ancient [[Chalcedon]]) on the Asian side, in the mid 14th century; a full century before the conquest of [[Constantinople]] across the [[Bosporus]], on the European side, by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The first mosque on the European side of Istanbul was built inside the [[Rumelihisarı|Rumeli Castle]] in 1452. The first grand mosque which was built in the city proper was the [[Eyüp Sultan Mosque]] in around 1459. The mosque was built on the site of the grave of [[Abu Ayyub al-Ansari]], a companion of the [[Prophet Muhammad]] who had died fighting in the Arab army in a siege to take the city in 669,<ref>{{cite book|title=Constantinople: City of the World's Desire, 1453-1924|last=Mansel|first=Phillip|year=1995|publisher=John Murray|pages=28}}</ref> making Istanbul one of the holy cities of Islam. The first imperial mosque inside the [[Walls of Constantinople|city walls]] was the [[Fatih Mosque]] (1470) which was built on the site of the [[Church of the Holy Apostles]], an important [[Byzantine]] church which was originally edificed in the time of [[Constantine the Great]]. Many other imperial mosques were built in the following centuries, such as the famous [[Süleymaniye Mosque]] (1557) which was ordered by [[Suleiman the Magnificent]] and designed by the great Ottoman architect [[Sinan]], and the famous [[Sultan Ahmet Mosque]] (1616) which is also known as the ''[[Sultan Ahmed Mosque|Blue Mosque]]'' for the blue tiles which adorn its interior. Istanbul was the final seat of the [[Caliphate|Islamic Caliphate]], between 1517 and 1924. The personal belongings of [[Mohammed]] and the earliest [[Caliph]]s who followed him are today preserved in the [[Topkapı Palace]], the [[Eyüp Sultan Mosque]] and in several other prominent mosques of Istanbul. [[Church of St George, Istanbul|The seat]] of the [[Patriarch of Constantinople]], spiritual leader of the [[Orthodox Church of Constantinople|Greek Orthodox Church]] is located in the [[Fener]] ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Φανάρι'') district. Also based in Istanbul are the archbishop of the Turkish-[[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] community, an [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian]] archbishop, and the Turkish Grand-[[Rabbi]]. According to the 2000 census, there were 2691&nbsp;active [[mosque]]s, 123&nbsp;active [[church]]es and 26&nbsp;active [[synagogue]]s in Istanbul; as well as 109 Muslim cemeteries and 57&nbsp;non-Muslim cemeteries. Religious minorities include [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox Christians]], [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Christians]], [[Levantines|Catholic Levantines]] and [[Sephardic]] [[Jews]]. Some neighbourhoods have sizeable populations of these ethnic groups, such as the [[Kumkapı]] neighbourhood, which has a sizeable [[Armenians|Armenian]] population, the [[Balat]] neighbourhood, which has a sizeable [[Jews|Jewish]] population, the [[Fener]] neighbourhood which has a sizeable [[Greeks|Greek]] population, and some neighbourhoods in [[Nişantaşı]] and [[Beyoğlu]], which have sizeable [[Levantines|Levantine]] populations. In some quarters, such as [[Kuzguncuk]], an Armenian church sits next to a synagogue, and on the other side of the road a Greek Orthodox church is found beside a mosque. ==Economy== {{main|Economy of Istanbul}} [[Image:IstanbulOscar2007.JPG|thumb|[[Bosphorus Bridge]]]] [[Image:View of Istanbul from Gülhane Park.jpg|thumb|left|View of the city from [[Gülhane Park]] near [[Topkapı Palace]]]] [[Image:Levent financial district in Istanbul.jpg|thumb|[[Levent]] financial district]] [[Image:Skyline of Maslak in Istanbul on June 23 2005.jpg|thumb|left|[[Maslak]] financial district]] [[Image:City's Nisantasi.jpg|thumb|[[Nişantaşı]], the fashion district]] [[Image:Metrocity Levent Istanbul.jpg|thumb|left|Street level view of [[Levent]] as seen from the entrance of [[Metrocity]]]] Historically, Istanbul has been the center of the country's economic life because of its location as an international junction of land and sea trade routes. In 2005 the City of Istanbul had a [[GDP]] of $133 billion.<ref>[http://www.pwc.com/uk/eng/ins-sol/publ/ukoutlook/pwc_ukeo-mar07.pdf [[PriceWaterhouseCoopers]]: U.K. Economic Outlook and Global City GDP Ranking 2005–2020 Full Report (PDF)]</ref> In 2005 companies based in Istanbul made [[export]]s worth $41,397,000,000 and [[import]]s worth $69,883,000,000; which corresponded to 56.6% and 60.2% of Turkey's exports and imports, respectively, in that year.<ref>[http://www.cnnturk.com/EKONOMI/GENEL/haber_detay.asp?PID=40&HID=1&haberID=157457 CNN Türk: Dış ticaretin lokomotifi İstanbul (Istanbul is the locomotive of foreign trade)]</ref> According to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, Istanbul had a total of 35 billionaires as of March 2008 (up from 25 in 2007), ranking 4th in the world behind [[Moscow]] (74 billionaires), [[New York City]] (71 billionaires) and [[London]] (36 billionaires), while ranking above [[Hong Kong]] (30 billionaires), [[Los Angeles]] (24 billionaires), [[Mumbai]] (20 billionaires), [[San Francisco]] (19 billionaires), [[Dallas]] (15 billionaires) and [[Tokyo]] (15 billionaires).<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3511875.ece Forbes list of "Billionaire Cities" in The Sunday Times article "Turkey's new rich find the Midas touch". [[March 9]], [[2008]].]</ref> Istanbul has always been the financial capital of Turkey and the opening of specific markets in the city during the 1980s further strengthened this status. Inaugurated at the beginning of 1986, the [[Istanbul Stock Exchange]] (ISE) is the sole securities market of Turkey, established to provide trading in equities, right coupons, Government bonds, Treasury bills, revenue sharing certificates, bonds issued by the Privatization Administration and corporate bonds, and to carry out overnight transactions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Financial sector|publisher=Foreign Economic Relations Board Turkey DEIK|url=http://www.deik.org.tr/bultenler/businessguide/DEIK-BG-5-FinancialSector.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-01-01}}</ref> In 1993 the [[Istanbul Stock Exchange|ISE]] decided on gold market liberalization, and in 1995 the Istanbul Gold Exchange was established, which ended the gold bullion imports monopoly of the Turkish Central Bank and transferred it to the private sector members of the gold exchange.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Gold Council > jewellery:Turkey|publisher=World Gold Council|url=http://www.gold.org/jewellery/professional/initiatives/middle_east/turkey.html|accessdate=2007-01-01}}</ref> Istanbul is also Turkey's largest industrial center. It employs approximately 20% of Turkey's [[industry|industrial]] labor and contributes 38% of Turkey's industrial workspace. In addition, the city generates 55% of Turkey's trade and 45% of the country's [[wholesale]] trade, and generates 21.2% of Turkey's [[gross national product]]. Istanbul contributes 40% of all taxes collected in Turkey and produces 27.5% of Turkey's national product. Istanbul and its surrounding province produce [[cotton]], [[fruit]], [[olive oil]], [[silk]], and [[tobacco]]. Food processing, textile production, oil products, rubber, metal ware, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, glass, machinery, automotive, transport vehicles, paper and paper products, and alcoholic drinks are among the city's major industrial products. Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots of Turkey. There are thousands of [[hotel]]s and other tourist oriented industries in the city, catering to both [[vacation]]ers and visiting professionals. In 2006 a total of 23,148,669 tourists visited Turkey, most of whom entered the country through the airports and seaports of Istanbul and [[Antalya]].<ref>[http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/5865839.asp?gid=52 Hürriyet: 2006’da Türkiye’ye gelen turist başına harcama 728 dolara indi]</ref> The total number of tourists who entered Turkey through [[Atatürk International Airport]] and [[Sabiha Gökçen International Airport]] in Istanbul reached 5,346,658, rising from 4,849,353 in 2005.<ref>[http://www.sabah.com.tr/2007/01/09/gnd121.html Sabah: Turist sayısı genelde düştü İstanbul'da arttı]</ref> Istanbul is also one of the world's major conference destinations and is an increasingly popular choice for the world's leading international associations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eibtm.com/app/homepage.cfm?linkid=23044&moduleid=3336&pram=364&K_NP_id=8324&LocParam=Y&appname=100486|title=EIBTM 2007 - The Global Meetings & Incentive Exhibition for the MICE Industry|publisher=Reed Exhibitions Limited (member of the Association of Event Organisers (AEO))|accessdate=2006-03-11}}</ref> {{wide image|Istanbul Skyline Panorama.jpg‎|1000px|[[Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge]] and the skyline of [[Levent]] financial district at night}} ==Infrastructure== === Health and medicine === {{Seealso|List of hospitals in Istanbul}} The city has many public and private hospitals, clinics and laboratories within its bounds and numerous medical research centers. Many of these facilities have high technology equipment, which has contributed to the recent upsurge in "medical tourism" to Istanbul,<ref>[http://www.medretreat.com/destinations/turkey.html Med Retreat - Medical Tourism: Turkey]</ref> particularly from West European countries like the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Germany]] where governments send patients with lower income to the city for the relatively inexpensive service of high-tech medical treatment and operations.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5360608.stm BBC News - Health - Personal story: IVF in Istanbul]</ref> Istanbul has particularly become a global destination for laser eye surgery and plastic surgery.<ref>[http://www.med-istanbul.com Med-Istanbul: Laser Eye Surgery in Istanbul]</ref><ref>[http://www.silkroadhotels.com/travelandtour/health/plasticsurgery.htm Plastic Surgery in Turkey]</ref> The city also has an Army Veterans Hospital in the military medical center. Pollution-related health problems increase especially in the winter, when the combustion of heating fuels increase. The rising number of new cars in the city and the slow development of public transportation often cause urban smog conditions. Mandatory use of unleaded gas was scheduled to begin only in January 2006.<ref name = "CIA World Fact Book 2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html#People|title=CIA &mdash; The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|accessdate=2006-03-11}}</ref> === Utilities === {{main|Utilities in Istanbul}} [[Image:Valens Aqueduct in Istanbul.jpg|thumb|left|[[Valens Aqueduct]]]] [[Image:Istanbul - Basilica Cistern - 01.JPG|thumb|[[Basilica Cistern]]]] The first water supply systems which were built in Istanbul date back to the foundation of the city. Two of the greatest [[aqueduct]]s built in the Roman period are the Mazulkemer Aqueduct and the [[Valens Aqueduct]]. These aqueducts were built in order to channel water from the Halkalı area in the western edge of the city to the Beyazıt district in the city center, which was known as the ''Forum Tauri'' in the Roman period.<ref name=iskitarihce>{{cite web|url=http://www.iski.gov.tr/en-US/arasayfalar.php?sayfa=0-1&dosya=tarihce_1.phtm|title=İSKİ İstanbul Su ve Kanalizasyon İdaresi: Tarihce|publisher=Istanbul water and sewerage administration (history)|accessdate=2006-03-11}}</ref> After reaching the city center, the water was later collected in the city's numerous [[cistern]]s, such as the famous Philoxenos (Binbirdirek) Cistern and the [[Basilica Cistern|Basilica (Yerebatan) Cistern]]. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned [[Sinan]], his engineer and architect-in-chief, to improve the water needs of the city. Sinan constructed the Kırkçeşme Water Supply System in 1555.<ref name=iskitarihce/> In later years, with the aim of responding to the ever-increasing public demand, water from various springs was channeled to the public fountains by means of small supply lines; see [[German Fountain]]. Today, Istanbul has a chlorinated and filtered water supply and a sewage disposal system managed by the government agency İSKİ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iski.gov.tr/en-US/arasayfalar.php?sayfa=0-1&dosya=tarihce_2.phtm|title=İSKİ Administration|publisher=Istanbul water and sewerage administration|accessdate=2006-03-11}}</ref> There are also several private sector organizations distributing clean water. Electricity distribution services are covered by the state-owned TEK. The first electricity production plant in the city, ''Silahtarağa Termik Santrali'', was established in 1914 and continued to supply electricity until 1983.<ref>[http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=82717 Silahtarağa Santral becomes Santralistanbul Museum]</ref> The Ottoman Ministry of Post and Telegraph was established in the city on [[October 23]], [[1840]].<ref name=PTT>[http://www.ptt.gov.tr/tr/kurumsal/tarihce.html PTT Chronology]</ref> The first post office was the ''Postahane-i Amire'' near the courtyard of [[Yeni Mosque]].<ref name=PTT /> In 1876 the first international mailing network between Istanbul and the lands beyond the vast [[Ottoman Empire]] was established.<ref name=PTT /> In 1901 the first money transfers were made through the post offices and the first cargo services became operational.<ref name=PTT /> [[Samuel Morse]] received his first ever patent for the [[telegraph]] in 1847, at the old Beylerbeyi Palace (the present [[Beylerbeyi Palace]] was built in 1861–1865 on the same location) in Istanbul, which was issued by Sultan [[Abdülmecid]] who personally tested the new invention.<ref>[http://www.istanbulcityguide.com/history/body_mansions_palaces.htm Istanbul City Guide: Beylerbeyi Palace]</ref> Following this successful test, installation works of the first telegraph line between Istanbul and [[Edirne]] began on [[August 9]], [[1847]].<ref name=telekomhistory>[http://www.turktelekom.com.tr/webtech/eng_default.asp?sayfa_id=30 Türk Telekom: History]</ref> In 1855 the Telegraph Administration was established.<ref name=PTT /> In July 1881 the first [[telephone]] circuit in Istanbul was established between the Ministry of Post and Telegraph in Soğukçeşme and the Postahane-i Amire in Yenicami.<ref name=telekomhistory /> On [[May 23]], [[1909]], the first manual telephone exchange with a 50 line capacity was established in the ''Büyük Postane'' (Grand Post Office) of Sirkeci.<ref name=telekomhistory /> ===Transportation=== {{main|Public transport in Istanbul}} [[Image:Istanbul Rapid Transit Map.png|250px|thumb|İstanbul rail transit map]] ====Air==== Istanbul has two international airports: The larger one is the [[Atatürk International Airport]] located in the [[Yeşilköy]] district on the European side, about {{convert|24|km|mi|0|spell=us}} west from the city center. When it was first built, the airport used to be at the western edge of the metropolitan area but now lies within the city bounds. The smaller one is the [[Sabiha Gökçen Airport|Sabiha Gökçen International Airport]] located in the Kurtköy district on the Asian side, close to the [[Istanbul Park|Istanbul Park GP Racing Circuit]]. It is situated approximately {{convert|20|km|mi|0|spell=us}} east of the Asian side and {{convert|45|km|mi|0|spell=us}} east of the European city center. ====Rail==== [[Image:Tranvia Estambul.jpg|thumb|left|Historic tram on [[İstiklal Avenue]]]] In 1883, a Belgian entrepreneur, [[Georges Nagelmackers]], began rail service between [[Paris]] and Constantinople, using a steamship to ferry passengers from [[Varna]] to Constantinople. In 1889, a rail line was completed going through [[Bucharest]] to Constantinople, making the whole journey via land possible. His company, La Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et des Grands Express Européens, provided the trains, which were renowned for their luxury and their beautiful Oriental style. The route was known as the [[Orient Express]], made even more famous by the works of [[Agatha Christie]] and [[Graham Greene]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Britannica Online|title=Orient Express|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9057368/Orient-Express|accessdate=2007-09-27|year= 2007|month= September}}</ref> Today, the [[Sirkeci Terminal]] of the [[Turkish State Railways]] (TCDD) is the terminus of all the lines on the European side and the main connection node of the Turkish railway network with the rest of Europe. Currently, international connections are provided by the line running between Istanbul and [[Thessaloniki]], [[Greece]], and the ''Bosphorus Express'' serving daily between Sirkeci and [[Gara de Nord]] in [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]]. Lines to [[Sofia]], [[Belgrade]], [[Budapest]], and [[Chişinău]] are established over the ''Bosphorus Express'' connection to Bucharest. Sirkeci Terminal was originally opened as the terminus of the [[Orient Express]]. Beyond the Bosphorus, the [[Haydarpaşa Terminal]] on the Asian side serves lines running several times daily to [[Ankara]], and less frequently to other destinations in [[Anatolia]]. The railway networks on the European and Asian sides are currently connected by the [[train ferry]] across the Bosphorus, which will be replaced by an underwater tunnel connection with the completion of the [[Marmaray]] project, scheduled for 2009. Marmaray (Bosphorus Rail Tunnel) will also connect the [[Istanbul Metro|metro lines]] on the European and Asian parts of the city. Haydarpaşa Terminal was originally opened as the terminus of the [[Baghdad Railway|Istanbul-Baghdad]] and [[Hejaz railway|Istanbul-Damascus-Medina]] railways. ====Road==== [[Image:Bosphorus Bridge Night.jpg|thumb|400px|right|[[Bosphorus Bridge]] in Istanbul, connecting Europe (left) and Asia (right)]] The ''E5'', ''E90'' and ''Trans European Motorway'' (TEM) are the three main motorway connections between Europe and Turkey. The motorway network around Istanbul is well developed and is constantly being extended. Motorways lead east to [[Ankara]] and west to [[Edirne]]. There are also 2 express highways circling the city. The older one, the E5, is mostly used for inner city traffic while the more recent one, the TEM highway, is mostly used by intercity or intercontinental traffic. The [[Bosphorus Bridge]] on E5 and the [[Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge]] on TEM establish the motorway connection between the European and the Asian sides of the Bosphorus. ====Sea==== Sea transport is vital for Istanbul, as the city is practically surrounded by sea on all sides: the [[Sea of Marmara]], the [[Golden Horn]], the [[Bosphorus]] and the [[Black Sea]]. Many Istanbulites live on the Asian side of the city but work on the European side (or vice-versa) and the city's famous commuter ferries form the backbone of the daily transition between the two parts of the city - even more so than the two suspension bridges which span the Bosphorus. The commuter ferries, along with the high speed catamaran ''Seabus'' (''Deniz Otobüsü''), also form the main connection between the city and the [[Princes' Islands]]. [[Image:A cruise ship and seabus on the Bosphorus in Istanbul on 30 May 2007.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A [[cruise ship]] (left) and [[İDO|Seabus]] (right)]] [[İDO]] (''İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri'' - ''Istanbul Sea Buses'') was established in 1987 and operates the high speed catamaran ''Seabus'' which run between the European and Asian parts of Istanbul, also connecting the city with the [[Princes' Islands]] and other destinations in the [[Sea of Marmara]]. The ''Seabus'' are built by Kvaerner Fjellstrand of Norway and Austal Ships Pty. of Australia. The ''Yenikapı High Speed Car Ferry Port'' on the European side, and the ''Pendik High Speed Car Ferry Port'' on the Asian side, are where the high speed catamaran "car ferries" are based. These are larger than the other Seabus, and were likewise built or designed in Australia and Norway. The car ferries which operate between Yenikapı (on the European side of Istanbul) and [[Bandırma]] reduce the driving time between Istanbul and [[İzmir]] and other major destinations on Turkey's [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]] coast by several hours; while those which operate between Yenikapı or [[Pendik]] (on the Asian side of Istanbul) and [[Yalova]] significantly reduce the driving time between Istanbul and [[Bursa]] or [[Antalya]]. The port of Istanbul is the most important one in the country. The old port on the [[Golden Horn]] serves primarily for personal navigation, while [[Karaköy]] port in [[Galata]] is used by the large [[cruise ship|cruise liners]]. Regular services as well as cruises from both Karaköy and [[Eminönü]] exist to several port cities in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and [[Black Sea]]. Istanbul's main cargo port, on the other hand, is located in the Harem district, within the borough of [[Üsküdar]], on the Asian side of the city. Istanbul also has several marinas of varying size for harboring private yachts, the largest of which are the Ataköy Marina on the European side and Kalamış Marina on the Asian side. <center><gallery> Image:Tünel Istanbul.jpg|Istanbul's [[Tünel]] (1875) is the world's second-oldest subway line after London's [[London Underground|Underground]] Image:Sirkeci-station_Orient_Express.JPG|[[Sirkeci Terminal]] was opened in 1890 as the terminus of the [[Orient Express]] Image:Haydarpasha train station istanbul.jpg|[[Haydarpaşa Terminal]] was opened in 1908 as the terminus of the [[Baghdad Railway|Istanbul-Baghdad]] and [[Hejaz railway|Istanbul-Medina]] railways Image:Funikuler kabatas-taksim.jpg|[[Istanbul Metro|Subway]] connection between ''Kabataş'' and [[Taksim Square]] </gallery></center> ==Life in the city== [[Image:Grand bazaar interior.jpg|thumb|[[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|The Grand Bazaar]]]] [[Image:Dsc02722 istanbul archaeology museum nevit.jpg|thumb|[[Istanbul Archaeology Museum]]]] === Art & culture === {{Seealso|List of museums and monuments in Istanbul}} Istanbul was ranked third best city in [[Europe]] after Rome and ahead of Paris in the 2007 World's Best Cities rankings by [[Travel + Leisure]] magazine.<ref> [http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2007/results.cfm?cat=citieseurope]</ref> Istanbul is becoming increasingly colorful in terms of its rich social, cultural, and commercial activities. While world famous pop stars fill stadiums, activities like opera, ballet and theater continue throughout the year. During seasonal festivals, world famous orchestras, chorale ensembles, concerts and jazz legends can be found often playing to a full house. The [[Istanbul International Film Festival]] is one of the most important film festivals in Europe, while the [[Istanbul Biennial]] is another major event of fine arts. [[Image:Pera Museum Rembrandt.jpg|thumb|left|[[Pera Museum]] during the [[Rembrandt]] exhibition in 2006]] [[Istanbul Modern]], located on the Bosphorus with a magnificent view of the Seraglio Point, resembles [[Tate Modern]] in many ways and frequently hosts the exhibitions of renowned Turkish and foreign artists. [[Pera Museum]] and [[Sakıp Sabancı Museum]] have hosted the exhibitions of world famous artists like [[Picasso]], [[Rodin]], [[Rembrandt]] and many others, and are among the most important private museums in the city. The [[Rahmi M. Koç Museum]] on the Golden Horn is an industrial museum, largely inspired by the [[Henry Ford Museum]] in the United States. It exhibits historic industrial equipment such as cars and locomotives from the 1800s and early 1900s, as well as boats, submarines, aircraft, and other similar vintage machines from past epochs. [[Istanbul Archaeology Museum]], established in 1881, is one of the largest and most famous museums of its kind in the world. The museum contains more than 1,000,000 archaeological pieces from the Mediterranean basin, the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. [[Istanbul Mosaic Museum]] contains the late Roman and early Byzantine floor mosaics and wall ornaments of the [[Great Palace of Constantinople]]. The nearby [[Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum]], originally the Ibrahim Pasha Palace (1524) on Sultanahmet Square, displays a vast collection of items from various Islamic civilizations. [[Sadberk Hanım Museum]] on the Bosphorus contains a wide variety of artifacts, dating from the earliest Anatolian civilizations to the Ottomans. Occasionally, in November, the ''Silahhane'' (Armory Hall) of [[Yıldız Palace]] hosts the ''Istanbul Antiques Fair'', which brings together rare pieces of antiques from the Orient and Occident. The items are sold either directly, or through auction. The multi-storey ''Mecidiyeköy Antikacılar Çarşısı'' (Mecidiyeköy Antiques Bazaar) in the Mecidiyeköy quarter of [[Şişli]] is the largest antiques market in the city, while the ''Çukurcuma'' neighbourhood of [[Beyoğlu]] has rows of antiques shops in its streets. [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|The Grand Bazaar]], edificed between 1455–1461 by the order of Sultan [[Mehmed II|Mehmed the Conqueror]] and later enlarged in the 16th century during the reign of Sultan [[Suleiman the Magnificent]] also has numerous antiques shops, along with shops selling jewels, carpets and other items of art and artisanship. Historic and rare books are found in the ''Sahaflar Çarşısı'' near [[Beyazıt|Beyazıt Square]], which was known as the ''Forum Tauri'' in the Roman period. It is one of the oldest book markets in the world, and has continuously been active in the same location since the late Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. A significant culture has been developed around what is known as a Turkish Bath ([[Hammam|Hamam]]), the origins of which can be traced back to the ancient Roman Bath, which was a part of the Byzantine lifestyle and customs that were inherited first by the Seljuk Turks and later the Ottomans, who developed it into something more elaborate. It was a culture of leisure during the Ottoman period. The ''hamam''s in the Ottoman culture started out as structural elements serving as annexes to mosques, however quickly evolved into institutions and eventually with the works of the great Ottoman architect [[Sinan]], into monumental structural complexes, the finest example being the ''Çemberlitaş Hamamı'' (1584) in Istanbul, located on the Çemberlitaş (Column of Constantine) Square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wheretogoinistanbul.blogspot.com/2007/02/istanbuls-baths-hamam.html|title=Istanbul's Hamam|accessdate=2007-02-22|Where to go in Istanbul}}</ref> Live shows and concerts are hosted at a number of locations including historical sites such as the [[Hagia Irene]], [[Rumelihisarı|Rumeli Fortress]], [[Yedikule|Yedikule Castle]], the courtyard of [[Topkapı Palace]], and [[Gülhane Park]]; as well as the [[Atatürk Cultural Center]], [[Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall]] and other open air and modern theater halls. For those who enjoy night life, there are many night clubs, pubs, restaurants and taverns with live music. The night clubs, restaurants and bars increase in number and move to open air spaces in the summer. The areas around [[Istiklal Avenue]] and [[Nişantaşı]] offer all sorts of cafés, restaurants, pubs and clubs as well as art galleries, theaters and cinemas. ===Media=== The first Turkish newspaper, Takvim-i Vekayi, was printed on [[1 August]] [[1831]] in the Bâbıâli (''Bâb-ı Âli'', meaning ''[[The Sublime Porte]]'') district. Bâbıâli became the main center for print media. Istanbul is also the printing capital of Turkey with a wide variety of domestic and foreign periodicals expressing diverse views, and domestic newspapers are extremely competitive. Most nationwide newspapers are based in Istanbul, with simultaneous Ankara and İzmir editions.<ref name="CIA World Fact Book 2006"/> Major newspapers with their headquarters in Istanbul include [[Hürriyet]], [[Milliyet]], [[Sabah]], [[Radikal]], [[Cumhuriyet]], [[Zaman]], Türkiye, Akşam, Bugün, Star, Dünya, Tercüman, Güneş, Vatan, Posta, Takvim, Vakit, Yeni Şafak, Fanatik and [[Turkish Daily News]]. There are also numerous local and national TV and radio stations located in Istanbul, such as [[CNBC-e]], [[CNN TÜRK|CNN Türk]], [[MTV Türkiye]], [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Türkiye]], [[Fox Sports Türkiye]], [[NTV Turkey|NTV]], [[Kanal D]], [[ATV Turkey|ATV]], [[Show TV]], [[Star TV (Turkey)|Star TV]], [[Cine5]], SKY Türk, TGRT Haber, Kanal 7, Kanal Türk, Flash TV and many others. ===Recreation=== [[Image:Buyukada 1196.jpg|thumb|A street scene from [[Büyükada]], the largest of the [[Princes' Islands]]]] The most popular places for swimming in the city are in [[Bakırköy]], [[Küçükçekmece]], [[Sarıyer]] and the [[Bosphorus]]. Outside the city are the Marmara Sea's [[Princes' Islands]], [[Silivri]] and Tuzla; as well as Kilyos and [[Şile]] on the Black Sea. The [[Princes' Islands]] (Prens Adaları) are a group of islands in the Marmara Sea, south of the quarters [[Kartal]] and [[Pendik]]. Pine and [[Stone Pine|stone-pine]] wooden ''[[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]]'' and ''[[art nouveau]]''-style Ottoman era summer mansions from the 19th and early 20th centuries, horse-drawn carriages (motor vehicles are not permitted) and seafood restaurants make them a popular destination. They can be reached by ferry boats or high-speed catamaran ''Seabus'' (''Deniz otobüsü'') from [[Eminönü]] and [[Bostancı]]. Of the nine islands, only five are settled. [[Şile]] is a distant and well-known Turkish seaside resort on the Black Sea, {{convert|50|km|mi|0|spell=us}} from Istanbul, where unspoiled white sand beaches can be found. Kilyos is a small calm seaside resort not far from the northern European entrance of the Bosphorus at the Black Sea. The place has good swimming possibilities and has become popular in the recent years among the inhabitants of Istanbul as a place for excursions. Kilyos offers a beach park with seafood restaurants and night clubs, being particularly active in the summer with many night parties and live concerts on the beach. ====Shopping==== {{Seealso|List of shopping malls in Istanbul}} {{rquote|right|If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.|[[Alphonse de Lamartine]]}} Istanbul has numerous historic shopping centers, such as the [[The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] (1461), [[Mahmutpaşa Bazaar, Istanbul|Mahmutpaşa Bazaar]] (1462) and the [[The Spice Bazaar, Istanbul|Egyptian Bazaar]] (1660). The first modern shopping mall was [[Galleria Ataköy]] (1987), which was followed by dozens of others in the later decades, such as [[Akmerkez]] (1993) which is the only mall to win both "Europe's Best" and "World's Best" awards by the [[International Council of Shopping Centers|ICSC]]; [[Metrocity]] (2003); [[Cevahir Mall]] (2005) which is the largest mall in Europe; and [[Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul|Kanyon Mall]] (2006) which won the 2006 Cityscape Architectural Review Award for its interesting design. İstinye Park (2007) and City's Nişantaşı (2008) are two new malls which target high-end consumers and are almost exclusively dedicated to world-famous fashion brands. ====Bars, cafés and restaurants==== Along with the traditional Turkish restaurants, many European and Far Eastern restaurants and numerous other cuisines are also thriving in the city. [[Image:Istanbul Cicek Pasaji - Cité de Pera.jpg|thumb|[[Çiçek Pasajı]] on [[İstiklal Avenue]]]] [[Image:Streets of Etiler in Istanbul on April 10 2006.jpg|thumb|left|Cafés of [[Etiler]]]] Most of the city's historic pubs and winehouses are located in the areas around [[İstiklal Avenue]] in [[Beyoğlu]]. The 19th century [[Çiçek Pasajı]] (literally ''Flower Passage'' in Turkish, or ''Cité de Péra'' in French, opened in 1876) on İstiklal Avenue can be described as a miniature version of the famous [[Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II|Galleria]] in Milan, Italy, and has rows of historic pubs, winehouses and restaurants. ''Pano'', established by Panayot Papadopoulos in 1898, and the neighbouring ''Viktor Levi'', established in 1914, are among the oldest winehouses in the city and are located on Hamalbaşı Avenue near the British Consulate and Galatasaray Square. ''Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi'' (literally ''Republic Winehouse''), called this way since the early 1930s but originally established in the early 1890s, is another popular historic tavern and is located in the nearby Sahne Street, along with the ''Hazzopulo Winehouse'', established in 1871, inside the ''Hazzopulo Pasajı'' which connects Sahne Street and Meşrutiyet Avenue. The famous ''Nevizade Street'', which has rows of historic pubs next to each other, is also in this area. Other historic pubs are found in the areas around ''Tünel Pasajı'' and the nearby ''Asmalımescit Street''. Some historic neighbourhoods around İstiklal Avenue have recently been recreated, such as ''Cezayir Street'' near [[Galatasaray Lisesi]], which became known as ''La Rue Française'' and has rows of [[francophone]] pubs, cafés and restaurants playing live French music. [[Image:Istanbul Kanyon.jpg|thumb|[[Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul|Kanyon Mall]] in [[Levent]] with its award-winning architecture]] [[Image:Istinye Park Istanbul.JPG|thumb|left|Istinye Park shopping mall in [[İstinye]] on the Bosporus]] Istanbul is also famous for its historic seafood restaurants. Many of them were originally established by the local Greeks, such as ''Aleko'nun Yeri'' in Yeniköy on the European side of the Bosphorus, or ''Koço Restaurant'' in the [[Kadıköy|Moda]] neighbourhood on the Asian side of the city, which also has a small Greek Orthodox Chapel and Hagiasma (Holy Spring) inside. The most popular seafood restaurants are generally found along the shores of the [[Bosphorus]] and by the [[Marmara Sea]] shore towards the south of the city; from the south to the north [[Kumkapı]], [[Ortaköy]], Kuruçeşme (Park Fora, Marina), [[Arnavutköy]] (Kuyu), [[Bebek]] (Bebek Balıkçısı), [[Rumeli Hisarı]] (İskele), Yeniköy (İzmirli Balıkçı), Kireçburnu (historic Ali Baba) and [[Sarıyer]] on the European side; or [[Üsküdar]], [[Kuzguncuk]] (İsmet Baba), [[Beylerbeyi]] (Villa Bosphorus), Kandilli, [[Anadolu Hisarı]], [[Çengelköy]] (Deniz Yıldızı) on the Anatolian side. The [[Princes' Islands]] in the [[Sea of Marmara]] (Büyük Ada, Heybeli Ada, Kınalı Ada, Burgaz Ada) and ''Anadolu Kavağı'' near the northern entrance of the [[Bosphorus]] towards the [[Black Sea]] (close to [[Yoros Castle]], which was also known as the ''Genoese Castle'' due to [[Republic of Genoa|Genoa]]'s possession of it in the mid-15th century) also have many historic seafood restaurants. ====Clubs==== There are thousands of alternatives for night life in Istanbul but the most popular open air summer time seaside night clubs are found on the Bosphorus, such as ''Reina'', ''Sortie'' and ''Anjelique'' in the [[Ortaköy]] district. ''Babylon'' and ''Nu Pera'' in [[Beyoğlu]] are popular night clubs both in the summer and in the winter, while ''Istanbul Arena'' in [[Maslak]] frequently hosts the live concerts of famous singers and bands from all corners of the world. ''Parkorman'' in Maslak hosted the [[Mtv|Isle of MTV Party]] in 2002 and is a popular venue for live concerts and rave parties in the summer. ''Q Jazz Bar'' in Ortaköy offers live jazz music in a stylish environment. ==Education== {{Further|[[Education in Turkey]]}} [[Image:İstanbul Üniversitesi.JPG|thumb|Main entrance gate of [[Istanbul University]] on Beyazıt Square, which was known as Forum Tauri in the Roman period. [[Beyazıt Tower]], located within the campus, is seen in the background.]] [[Image:Bosphorus University.jpg|thumb|[[Boğaziçi University]]]] [[Image:Haydarpasa campus general.jpg|thumb|[[Marmara Üniversitesi|Marmara University]]]] ===Universities=== {{Seealso|List of universities in Istanbul}} Istanbul holds some of the finest institutions of higher education in Turkey, including more than 20 public and private universities. Most of the reputable universities are public, but in recent years there has also been an upsurge in the number of private universities. [[Istanbul University]] (1453) is the oldest Turkish educational institution in the city, while [[Istanbul Technical University]] (1773) is the world's second-oldest [[technical university]] dedicated entirely to engineering sciences. Other prominent state universities in Istanbul are the [[Boğaziçi University]] (1863), [[Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts]] (1882), [[Marmara University]] (1883), [[Yıldız Technical University]] (1911) and [[Galatasaray University]] (1992). The major private universities in the city include [[Koç University]] (1993), [[Sabancı University]] (1994), [[Yeditepe University]] (1996), [[Bilgi University]] (1996), [[Işık University]] (1996), [[Fatih University]] (1996), [[Maltepe University]] (1997), [[Beykent University]] (1997), [[Kadir Has University]] (1997), Haliç University (1998), [[Bahçeşehir University]] (1998), [[Okan University]] (1999), and Istanbul Commerce University (2001). ===High schools=== {{Seealso|List of schools in Istanbul}} [[Galatasaray Lisesi]], established in 1481 as ''Galata Sarayı Enderun-u Hümayunu'' (''Galata Palace Imperial School'') and later known as ''Galatasaray Mekteb-i Sultanisi'' (''Galatasaray School of the Sultans'') is the oldest Turkish high school in Istanbul and the second oldest Turkish educational institution in the city after [[Istanbul University]] which was established in 1453. Galatasaray gives education primarily in Turkish and French, but there are also courses in English, Italian, Latin, Greek, Ottoman Turkish, Persian and Arabic. [[İstanbul Lisesi]], also commonly known as İstanbul Erkek Lisesi (established in 1884), abbreviated İEL, is one of the oldest and internationally renowned high schools of Turkey located in İstanbul. The school is considered among the elite of Turkish public high schools. Germany recognizes the school as a Deutsche Auslandsschule (German International school). [[Image:IELfrontgate.jpg|thumb|left|[[İstanbul Lisesi]]]] [[Image:RobertCollegeGouldHall1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Robert College]]]] Almost all Turkish private high schools and universities in Istanbul teach in English, German or French as the primary foreign language, usually accompanied by a secondary foreign language. ''Fen Liseleri'' (Science High Schools) were established with the aim of providing education to exceptionally gifted students in mathematics, physics, chemistry and other sciences. These are boarding schools which offer a three-year program with a curriculum that emphasises science and mathematics. The schools have a standard class size of 24 pupils and the language of instruction is Turkish. ''Anadolu Liseleri'' (Anatolian High Schools) were originally furnished for the Turkish children who returned home from foreign countries, such as the Üsküdar Anadolu Lisesi with German as the primary foreign language and technical instruction in German. [[Kadıköy Anadolu Lisesi]] on the Asian side, however, is one of the first six special Ministry of Education Colleges (Maarif Koleji) established in 1950s in big cities across Turkey. Those English-medium colleges, too, were renamed as "Anadolu Lisesi" in subsequent decades. There are many foreign high schools in Istanbul, most of which were established in the 19th century in order to give education to the foreigners residing in Istanbul, or to local Stambouliotes with European roots. Following the establishment of the [[Republic of Turkey]], most of these schools went under the administration of the Turkish Ministry of Education, but some of them still have considerable foreign administration, such as the [[Italyan lisesi|Liceo Italiano (Özel İtalyan Lisesi, 1861)]] which is still regarded as an Italian state school by the government of Italy and continues to receive funding and teachers from Rome. The oldest such school is the French Lycée Saint-Benoit, established in 1783 with its current name (the school's roots go back to 1362). [[Robert College]], established in 1863, is the world's oldest American school outside the United States. The first [[international school]] in the city, [[Istanbul International Community School]], was founded in 1911 to educate the children of international professors at [[Robert College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turkishembassy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=430&Itemid=433|title=Turkish Embassy.org - Republic of Turkey|accessdate=18 Feb|accessyear=2007}}</ref> The name of the school was [[Robert College Community School until 1979, when it was changed to its current name, [[Istanbul International Community School]] (IICS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cois.org/directory/Directory_Page.asp?School_ID=ISTANB|title=CIS Directory|accessdate=18 Feb|accessyear=2007}}</ref> With a law passed by the [[Turkish Parliament]] in 1971, foreign universities in Turkey (i.e. [[Boğaziçi University]] which was originally the university section of Robert College) went under the jurisdiction of the Turkish state, but high schools were allowed to operate with foreign headmasters and curricula, such as the high school section of Robert College which continues to have an American headmaster. Other similar examples are the Lycée Notre Dame de Sion (1856), [[Deutsche Schule Istanbul]] (1868), [[St. Joseph High School (Istanbul)|Lycée Saint-Joseph]] (1870), [[Üsküdar American Academy]] (1876), Lycée Saint-Michel (1886), [[Sankt Georg Avusturya Lisesi|Sankt Georg Austrian High School]] (1892), Zappeion Greek Girls' High School, Italian Girls' Junior High School, Esayan Armenian Girls' High School, Saint Jean Baptiste French Boys' School, Saint Pulcherie Jesuit School, [[Zografeio Lyceum|Zoğrafyon Greek Boys' High School]] and the British Girls' School. [[Phanar Greek Orthodox College]] (''Fener Rum Erkek Lisesi''), established in 1454, is the oldest surviving and most prestigious Greek high school in the city. Many Ottoman viziers as well as Wallachian and Moldavian princes appointed by the Ottoman state were graduated from this school. ===Libraries=== {{Seealso|List of libraries in Istanbul}} Istanbul has numerous libraries, many of which contain vast collections of historic documents from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods, as well as from other civilizations of the past. The most important libraries in terms of historic document collections include the Topkapı Palace Library, Library of the [[Istanbul Archaeology Museum|Archaeological Museum]], Library of the Naval Museum, Beyazıt State Library, Nuruosmaniye Library, Süleymaniye Library, Istanbul University Library, Köprülüzade Fazıl Ahmed Paşa Library, Atatürk Library and Çelik Gülersoy Library. ==Sports== {{Seealso|List of sport facilities in Istanbul|l1=Sport facilities}} [[Image:Olimpiyatstadium.jpg|thumb|[[Atatürk Olympic Stadium]]]] [[Image:GrandPrix Circuit Turkey 2006.svg|thumb|[[Istanbul Park|Istanbul Park GP Circuit]]]] During the Roman and Byzantine periods, the most important sporting events were the [[chariot]] races that were held at the [[Hippodrome of Constantinople]], which had a capacity to accommodate more than 100,000 spectators. Today, sports like football, basketball and volleyball are very popular in the city. In addition to [[Galatasaray]], [[Fenerbahçe]] and [[Beşiktaş]], which field teams in multiple sports, several other clubs have also excelled in particular team sports; such as [[Efes Pilsen SK|Efes Pilsen]] and [[Fenerbahçe Ülkerspor|Fenerbahçe Ülker]] in basketball; or [[Eczacıbaşı Istanbul|Eczacıbaşı]] and [[Vakifbank Günes S. Istanbul|Vakıfbank]] in volleyball. The [[Atatürk Olympic Stadium]] is a five-star [[UEFA]] stadium and a first-class venue for [[Athletics (track and field)|track and field]], having reached the highest required standards set by the International Olympic Committee and sports federations such as the IAAF, FIFA and UEFA. The stadium hosted the 2005 [[UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League Final]]. The [[Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium]] will host the 2009 [[UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup Final]]. Personal sports like golf, horse riding and tennis are gaining popularity as the city hosts international tournaments such as the [[Istanbul Cup|WTA Istanbul Cup]]. For aerobics and bodybuilding, numerous fitness clubs are available. Paintball is a sport which has recently gained popularity and is practiced by two large clubs in the proximity of Istanbul. [[Martial arts]] and other Eastern disciplines and practices such as [[Aikido]] and [[Yoga]] can be exercised in several centers across the city. Istanbul also hosts the annual [[MTB]] races in the nearby Belgrad Forest and [[Büyükada|Büyükada Island]]. Two of the most prominent cycling teams of Turkey, namely the Scott/Marintek MTB Team and the Kron/Sektor Bikes/Efor Bisiklet MTB Team, are from Istanbul. Istanbul hosts several annual motorsports events, such as the [[Formula One]] [[Turkish Grand Prix]], the [[MotoGP]] [[Grand Prix of Turkey]], the [[FIA]] [[World Touring Car Championship]], the [[GP2 Series|GP2]] and the [[Le Mans Series]] {{convert|1000|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} races at the [[Istanbul Park|Istanbul Park GP Racing Circuit]]. From time to time Istanbul also hosts the Turkish leg of the [[F1 Powerboat Racing]] on the [[Bosphorus]]. Several annual [[sailing]] and [[yacht racing|yacht races]] take place on the Bosphorus and the [[Sea of Marmara]]. The [[Golden Horn]] is where the [[rowing (sport)|rowing]] races take place. Major clubs like Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, and major universities such as the Bosphorus University have rowing teams. [[Air racing]] is new to the city. On [[July 29]], [[2006]], Istanbul hosted the 5th leg of the spectacular [[Red Bull Air Race World Series]], as well as the 4th leg on [[June 2]], [[2007]], in both cases above the [[Golden Horn]]. {| class="wikitable" |+ ! scope="col"|Club ! scope="col"|Sport ! scope="col"|Established ! scope="col"|League ! scope="col"|Venue |- |[[Beşiktaş JK]] |Football |1903 |Turkcell Super League |[[BJK İnönü Stadium|İnönü Stadium]] |- |[[Galatasaray SK]] |Football |1905 |Turkcell Super League |[[Ali Sami Yen Stadium]] |- |[[Fenerbahçe SK]] | Football |1907 | Turkcell Super League |[[Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium]] |- |[[Istanbulspor|Istanbulspor AS]] |Football |1926 |Turkish 2nd Division |[[Güngören M.Yahya Baş Stadyumu|Güngören Stadium]] |- |[[Beşiktaş Cola Turka]] |Basketball |1903 |Turkish Basketball League |[[BJK Akatlar Arena]] |- |[[Galatasaray Cafe Crown]] |Basketball |1905 |Turkish Basketball League |[[Ayhan Şahenk Spor Salonu|Ayhan Şahenk Sports Hall]] |- |[[Fenerbahçe Ülkerspor]] |Basketball |1907 |Turkish Basketball League |[[Abdi İpekçi Arena]] |- |[[Beykoz 1908]] |Basketball |1908 |Turkish Basketball League |R. Şahin Köktürk Sports Hall |- |[[Darüşşafaka S.K.]] |Basketball |1914 |Turkish Basketball League |[[Ayhan Sahenk Sport Hall|Ayhan Şahenk Sports Hall]] |- |[[Tekelspor]] |Basketball |1941 |Turkish Basketball League |[[Haldun Alagaş Sports Hall]] |- |[[Efes Pilsen S.K.]] |Basketball |1976 |Turkish Basketball League |[[Abdi İpekçi Arena]] |- |[[Alpella]] |Basketball |2006 |Turkish Basketball League |[[Caferağa Spor Salonu|Caferağa Sports Hall]] |- |[[Eczacıbaşı Istanbul|Eczacıbaşı]] |Volleyball |1977 |Turkish Women's Volleyball League |Eczacıbaşı Sports Hall |- |[[Vakifbank Günes S. Istanbul|Vakıfbank Güneş Sigorta]] |Volleyball |1986 |Turkish Women's Volleyball League |[[Haldun Alagaş Sports Hall]] |} == Town twinning == The following is a list of Istanbul's [[Town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatistanbul.com/sister_cities.htm|title=Sister Cities of Istanbul|accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref><ref> {{cite news|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=94185|publisher=Radikal|language=Turkish|date=2003-11-03|quote=49 sister cities in 2003|title=İstanbul'a 49 kardeş|last=Erdem|first=Selim Efe}}</ref> {{Multicol}} ;[[Europe]] *{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Athens]], [[Greece]] *{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Baku]], [[Azerbaijan]] *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] *{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Almaty]], [[Kazakhstan]] *{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Barcelona]], [[Spain]] *{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Cologne]], [[Germany]] *{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Constanţa]], [[Romania]] *{{flagicon|Albania}} [[Durrës]], [[Albania]] *{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Florence]], [[Italy]] *{{flagicon|UK}} [[London]], [[United Kingdom]] *{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Odessa]], [[Ukraine]] *{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Plovdiv]], [[Bulgaria]] *{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] *{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Rotterdam]], [[Netherlands]] *{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] *{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Sarajevo]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] *{{flagicon|Macedonia}} [[Skopje]], [[Republic of Macedonia]] *{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] *{{flagicon|France}} [[Strasbourg]], [[France]] *{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Venice]], [[Italy]] *{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]] {{Multicol-break}} ;[[Asia]] *{{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Amman]], [[Jordan]] *{{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]] *{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Busan]], [[South Korea]] *{{flagicon|Syria}} [[Damascus]], [[Syria]] *{{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]] *{{flagicon|Vietnam}} [[Ho Chi Minh City]], [[Vietnam]] *{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Isfahan]], [[Iran]] *{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]] *{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] *{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Johor Bahru]], [[Malaysia]] *{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]] *{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Kazan]], [[Russia]] *{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Lahore]], [[Pakistan]] *{{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Mary, Turkmenistan|Mary]], [[Turkmenistan]] *{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Osh]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] *{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Samarqand]], [[Uzbekistan]] *{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Shanghai]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] *{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Shimonoseki]], [[Japan]] *{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Surabaya]], [[Indonesia]] *{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Tabriz]], [[Iran]] *{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Xi'an]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] {{Multicol-break}} ;[[Americas]] *{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] *{{flagicon|Venezuela}} [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]] *{{flagicon|Cuba}} [[Havana]], [[Cuba]] *{{flagicon|United States}} [[Houston]], [[United States of America|USA]] *{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]] *{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brazil]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] ;[[Africa]] *{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] *{{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Constantine, Algeria|Constantine]], [[Algeria]] *{{flagicon|Sudan}} [[Khartoum]], [[Sudan]] *{{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Rabat]], [[Morocco]] {{Multicol-end}} ==Related lists== *[[List of architectural structures in Istanbul]] *[[List of columns and towers in Istanbul]] *[[List of hospitals in Istanbul]] *[[List of Istanbulites]] *[[List of libraries in Istanbul]] *[[List of mayors of Istanbul]] *[[List of museums and monuments in Istanbul]] *[[List of schools in Istanbul]] *[[List of shopping malls in Istanbul]] *[[List of urban centers in Istanbul]] *[[List of universities in Istanbul]] *[[List of tallest buildings in Istanbul]] ==See also== *[[1509 Istanbul earthquake]] *[[2004 Istanbul Summit]] *[[2008 Istanbul fireworks explosion]] *[[Istanbul (Not Constantinople)]], a song about the city's name *[[Large Cities Climate Leadership Group]] *[[Megacity]] == Notes == {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Istanbul}} * [http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx Website of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality] * [http://english.istanbul.gov.tr Office of the Governor of Istanbul Province] * [http://sehirrehberi.ibb.gov.tr/MapForm.aspx?&rw=1C2&cl=385&scl=6&cx=88710&cy=96187 Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality: Interactive aerial photos (maps) of Istanbul from 1946, 1966, 1982 and 2005] * [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=istanbul-turkey Emporis Buildings Database: Historic and modern buildings of Istanbul] * [http://www.sinanasaygi.com/en/eserler.asp Ottoman Engineer-Architect Sinan's works in Istanbul] * [http://www.karalahana.net/fotograf/thumbnails.php?album=88 Istanbul old postcards and photo galleries] * [http://www.istanbulbulteni.com Official website of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Monthly Press Magazine] {{coord|41.01224|28.976018|type:city|display=title}} {{Districts of Turkey |provname=Istanbul}} {{Mayors of İstanbul}} {{World Heritage Sites in Turkey}} {{Turkey topics}} {{European Capital of Culture}} {{2012 Summer Olympic bids}} {{World's most populated urban areas}} [[Category:Istanbul| ]] [[Category:Ancient Greek sites in Turkey|Istanbul]] [[Category:Archaeological sites in Turkey]] [[Category:Byzantine Empire|Istanbul]] [[Category:Cities along the Silk Road]] [[Category:Port cities in Turkey|Istanbul]] [[Category:Holy cities|Istanbul]] [[Category:Cities of the Ottoman Empire]] [[Category:Roman sites in Turkey|Istanbul]] [[Category:Former national capitals]] [[Category:Capitals of former nations]] {{Link FA|hr}} {{Link FA|hu}} [[als:Istanbul]] [[ar:إسطنبول]] [[an:Istambul]] [[arc:ܐܝܣܛܢܒܘܠ]] [[ast:Estambul]] [[az:İstanbul (şəhər)]] [[bn:ইস্তানবুল]] 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