Istanbul

**Istanbul**, formerly known as **Constantinople**, is a mega city that sits in both Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosporus. Although it is the largest city of Turkey, it is not the capital. It is the largest city in Europe by population. It is also the 3rd largest European city in size. It was the capital city of the old Ottoman Empire until 1923. The city has been known since ancient times by the older names Byzantium and Constantinople (; , _Konstantinoúpolis_). Being a seaport, Istanbul is the main trade center of Turkey.

Part of Istanbul is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Istanbul faces the Golden Horn and the Bosporus strait. The Bosphorus connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, and separates Europe and Asia. It's the only city around the world that is on two different continents. The city is actually in both Europe and Asia. One-third of the people live on the Asian side. Its population is between 11 and 15 million people, making it one of the largest cities in Europe. Many people migrate to Istanbul every year. In 2023, Istanbul was the city with the most international arrivals.

Its original name was _Byzantion_ in the Greek language, known as _Byzantium_ in the Latin language. Byzantium was originally settled as a colony by Greeks from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king, Byzas. In 196 AD, Byzantium was damaged by the Romans, then rebuilt by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. Constantine the Great thought this city was in a nice location, and in 330, moved the capital of the Empire from Rome to there, as _New Rome_ (Latin: _Nova Roma_; __, _Nea Rómi_), renaming the city _Constantinople_, after his name.

When the Roman Empire was later divided into two, the East Roman Empire was known as the Byzantine Empire, and its capital was in Constantinople, where Hagia Sophia had been built. Although it was captured by Crusaders for a time, it continued as one of the political, cultural, religious, and economic centers of Europe until it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

Istanbul became the capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1453. After the Ottoman Empire ended, the Republic of Turkey was started with its capital at Ankara. Later in 1930, Constantinople was renamed Istanbul.

The Romanlar (Turkish Gypsys) have lived in Istanbul since 1054 at Sulukule, well known for their Music and Dance style. After 1453, by order of Mehmed II, Roma was settled in Istanbul from other parts of the Ottoman Empire. In some cases, they live in several Mahallas (quarters) together with Turks in Istanbul in the European and Asian parts of this city.

## Other websites

- Audioguide Seslirehber Istanbul Turkey
- Extensive information on Architect Sinan's works in Istanbul

## Infobox (settlement)

- **name**: Istanbul
- **native name lang**: tr
- **settlement type**: Metropolitan municipality
- **official name**: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
- **image skyline**: Istanbul (25429035232).jpg
- **image caption**: View of Istanbul's Fatih district and the Bosporus Strait
- **image alt**: See caption
- **imagesize**: 300px
- **blank emblem type**: Emblem of Istanbul
- **blank emblem size**: 110px
- **pushpin map**: Turkey
- **pushpin map caption**: Location in Turkey
- **pushpin map alt**: Turkey, with Istanbul pinpointed at the northwest along a thin strip of land bounded by water
- **pushpin mapsize**: 300px
- **subdivision type**: Country
- **subdivision type1**: Geographical regions of Turkey, Region
- **subdivision name1**: Marmara Region, Marmara
- **subdivision type2**: Provinces of Turkey, Province
- **subdivision name2**: Istanbul Province, Istanbul
- **leader party**: Republican People's Party (Turkey), CHP
- **leader title**: Mayor
- **leader name**: Ekrem İmamoğlu
- **established title**: Established
- **established title1**:  - Byzantium
- **established date1**: c. 660 BC
- **established title2**:  - Constantinople
- **established date2**: 330 AD
- **established title3**:  - Istanbul
- **established date3**: 1930 (officially)
- **parts type**: Districts
- **parts**: List of districts of Istanbul, 39
- **area metro km2**: 5343
- **population total**: 16,047,000
- **population as of**: 2024
- **population rank**: List of cities in Turkey, 1st Turkey
- **population density km2**: 2593
- **population demonym**: Istanbulite(s)
(Turkish: _İstanbullu(lar)_)
- **timezone**: Further-eastern European Time, FET
- **utc offset**: +3
- **postal code type**: Postal code
- **postal code**: 34000 to 34850
- **area code**: (+90) 212 (European side)
 (+90) 216 (Asian side)