Brief information about the İstanbul
Istanbul Istanbul (, additionally US: Turkish: İstanbul [isˈtanbuɫ] ), previously known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the most populous town in Turkey and the country's economic, cultural and historic center. Istanbul is a transcontinental town in Eurasia, straddling the Bosporus strait (which divides Europe and Asia) involving the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.
Its historical and commercial center lies in suburbs across the Asian side of the Bosporus on the side and roughly a third of its population lives. Istanbul is one of the planet cities, standing as also the largest European town and the planet 's fifth-largest city proper.
The town is the administrative center of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (coterminous with Istanbul Province). Founded under the title of Byzantion (Βυζάντιον) on the Sarayburnu promontory around 660 BCE, the town grew in size and influence, becoming one of the most important cities ever.
It was instrumental in the advancement of Christianity before the city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453 CE and transformed it in also the chair of the Ottoman Caliphate and an Islamic stronghold.
Beneath the title Constantinople it was the Ottoman funding until 1923. The capital was then transferred to Ankara and the town was renamed Istanbul. The town held the strategic position between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It was on the Silk Road.
It was the only sea route between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and commanded railroad networks involving the Middle East and the Balkans. Back in 1923, following the War of Independence, Ankara was chosen as the Turkish capital, and the town 's title was changed to Istanbul.
Nonetheless, the city maintained its prominence in geopolitical and ethnic affairs. This city's populace has improved since the 1950s, as migrants from Anatolia have moved and the town limits have enlarged to accommodate them. Arts, music, movie, and festivals were created towards the end of this 20th century and continue to be hosted by the town.
Improvements have generated a transportation network . More than 12 million overseas visitors arrived at Istanbul five years after it was named making the city the planet most popular tourist destination.
The town 's biggest attraction is its historic center, partly recorded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its cultural and entertainment hub is located across town 's natural harbor, the Golden Horn, from the Beyoğlu district. Considered a global city, It hosts the headquarters of many Turkish businesses and media outlets and reports for at least a quarter of the nation domestic product.
Hoping to capitalize on its revitalization and rapid expansion, Istanbul has bid for the Summer Olympics five times in twenty five years.