IstanbulIstanbul “ “timeless city””

““If the Earth were a single state,If the Earth were a single state, IstanbulIstanbul would be its capital. would be its capital.” ” Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte

Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople) isConstantinople) is,,

-- the largest city of the largest city of TurkeyTurkey,, - - the largest city proper in the largest city proper in EuropeEurope,,

-- the third largest city proper in the third largest city proper in thethe worldworld..

istanbulistanbul

NamesNames► The city has also been nicknamed "The city has also been nicknamed "The City on The City on

Seven HillsSeven Hills““► TThe historic peninsula, the oldest part of the he historic peninsula, the oldest part of the

city, was built on seven hills (just like Rome), city, was built on seven hills (just like Rome), each of which bears a historic mosque.each of which bears a historic mosque.

► The hills are represented in the city's emblem The hills are represented in the city's emblem with seven triangles, above which rise four with seven triangles, above which rise four minarets. minarets.

► Two of many other old nicknames of Istanbul are Two of many other old nicknames of Istanbul are Vasilevousa Polis (the Queen of Cities),Vasilevousa Polis (the Queen of Cities),

► Dersaadet, originally Der-i Saadet (the Door to Dersaadet, originally Der-i Saadet (the Door to Happiness) which was first used towards the end Happiness) which was first used towards the end of 19th century and is still remembered today.of 19th century and is still remembered today.

HistoryHistory

► Founded in 667 BCFounded in 667 BC► In its long history, Istanbul served as the In its long history, Istanbul served as the

capital city of the Roman Empire, the East capital city of the Roman Empire, the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire, the Latin Roman (Byzantine) Empire, the Latin Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. Empire, and the Ottoman Empire.

► The city was chosen as joint European The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. Capital of Culture for 2010.

► The historic areas of Istanbul were added to The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985..

Conquest of IstanbulConquest of Istanbul

►On 29 May 1453, Sultan Mehmed II On 29 May 1453, Sultan Mehmed II "the Conqueror" captured "the Conqueror" captured Constantinople after a 53-day siege Constantinople after a 53-day siege and proclaimed that Constantinople and proclaimed that Constantinople was now the new capital of the was now the new capital of the Ottoman Empire.Ottoman Empire.

Moving of Capital Moving of Capital CityCity

►When the When the Republic of Turkey Republic of Turkey was founded in was founded in 1923 by Mustafa 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Kemal Atatürk, the capital was the capital was moved from moved from Istanbul to Istanbul to Ankara. Ankara.

LocationLocation

► The city covers 27 districts of the Istanbul The city covers 27 districts of the Istanbul province.province.

► It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents.two continents.

LocationLocation

► Istanbul is located in the north-west Marmara Istanbul is located in the north-west Marmara Region of Turkey. It encloses the southern Region of Turkey. It encloses the southern Bosphorus which places the city on two Bosphorus which places the city on two continents—the western portion of Istanbul is continents—the western portion of Istanbul is in Europe, while the eastern portion is in Asia. in Europe, while the eastern portion is in Asia.

► The city boundaries cover a surface area of The city boundaries cover a surface area of 1,830.92 square kilometres , while the 1,830.92 square kilometres , while the metropolitan region, or the Province of metropolitan region, or the Province of Istanbul, covers 6,220 square kilometres.Istanbul, covers 6,220 square kilometres.

ClimateClimate

► The city has a temperate climate with The city has a temperate climate with extremely hot and humid summers; and extremely hot and humid summers; and cold, wet, snowy winters. cold, wet, snowy winters.

►Humidity is generally rather high which can Humidity is generally rather high which can make temperatures feel much warmer or make temperatures feel much warmer or colder than they actually are. colder than they actually are.

► Snowfall is quite common, snowing for a Snowfall is quite common, snowing for a week or two during the winter season, but it week or two during the winter season, but it can be heavy once it snows. It is most likely can be heavy once it snows. It is most likely to occur between the months of December to occur between the months of December and March.and March.

PopulationPopulation

► It has more than 11 million people,It has more than 11 million people,►Takes first place in Europe,Takes first place in Europe,►Third in world wide.Third in world wide.

Demographics Demographics ► The population of the metropolis more than tripled The population of the metropolis more than tripled

during the 25 years between 1980 and 2005. during the 25 years between 1980 and 2005. Roughly 70% of all Istanbulites live in the European Roughly 70% of all Istanbulites live in the European section and around 30% in the Asian section. section and around 30% in the Asian section.

► Due to high unemployment in the southeast of Due to high unemployment in the southeast of Turkey, many people from that region migrated to Turkey, many people from that region migrated to Istanbul, where they established themselves in the Istanbul, where they established themselves in the outskirts of the city. outskirts of the city.

► Migrants, predominantly from eastern Anatolia arrive Migrants, predominantly from eastern Anatolia arrive in Istanbul expecting improved living conditions and in Istanbul expecting improved living conditions and employment, which usually end with little success. employment, which usually end with little success.

► This results each year with new gecekondus at the This results each year with new gecekondus at the outskirts of the city, which are later developed into outskirts of the city, which are later developed into neighbourhoods and integrated into the greater neighbourhoods and integrated into the greater metropolis.metropolis.

ReligionReligion

► The urban landscape of Istanbul is shaped by The urban landscape of Istanbul is shaped by many communities. The religion with the many communities. The religion with the largest community of followers is Islam.largest community of followers is Islam.

► Religious minorities include Greek Orthodox Religious minorities include Greek Orthodox Christians, Armenian Christians, Catholic Christians, Armenian Christians, Catholic Levantines and Sephardic Jews. Levantines and Sephardic Jews.

► According to the 2000 census, there were According to the 2000 census, there were 2691 active mosques, 123 active churches 2691 active mosques, 123 active churches and 26 active synagogues in Istanbul; as well and 26 active synagogues in Istanbul; as well as 109 Muslim cemeteries and 57 non-Muslim as 109 Muslim cemeteries and 57 non-Muslim cemeteries. cemeteries.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)(Blue Mosque)

The Hagia SophiaThe Hagia Sophia

Ashkenazi SynagogueAshkenazi Synagogue

EconomyEconomy

► Istanbul has always been the center of the Istanbul has always been the center of the country's economic life because of its country's economic life because of its location as an international junction of land location as an international junction of land and sea trade routes. and sea trade routes.

► The opening of specific markets in the city The opening of specific markets in the city during the 1980s further strengthened the during the 1980s further strengthened the city's economic status. city's economic status.

► Inaugurated at the beginning of 1986, the Inaugurated at the beginning of 1986, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) is the sole Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) is the sole securities market of Turkey.securities market of Turkey.

EconomyEconomy

TourismTourism

► Istanbul is one of the most important Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots of Turkey. tourism spots of Turkey.

► There are thousands of hotels and other There are thousands of hotels and other tourist oriented industries in the city, tourist oriented industries in the city, catering to both vacationers and visiting catering to both vacationers and visiting professionals. professionals.

► In 2006 a total of 23,148,669 tourists visited In 2006 a total of 23,148,669 tourists visited Turkey, most of whom entered the country Turkey, most of whom entered the country through the airports and seaports of Istanbul through the airports and seaports of Istanbul and Antalyaand Antalya

TourismTourism

Panoramic ViewPanoramic View

ArchitectureArchitecture

►Throughout its long history, Istanbul has Throughout its long history, Istanbul has acquired a reputation for being a cultural acquired a reputation for being a cultural and ethnic melting pot. and ethnic melting pot.

►As a result, there are many historical As a result, there are many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers to visit in the city. castles and towers to visit in the city.

►Some of these historical structures, which Some of these historical structures, which draw millions to the city every year, draw millions to the city every year, reflect the heart and soul of Istanbul.reflect the heart and soul of Istanbul.

University of IstanbulUniversity of Istanbul

Ortakoy in IstanbulOrtakoy in Istanbul

BosphrousBosphrous

Dolmabahce PalaceDolmabahce Palace

Topkapi PalaceTopkapi Palace

Dolmabahce PalaceDolmabahce Palace

Covered BazaarCovered Bazaar

Aya Irini Church of IstanbulAya Irini Church of Istanbul

Emirgan in IstanbulEmirgan in Istanbul

It’s impossible to explain It’s impossible to explain Istanbul using words. Unless you Istanbul using words. Unless you

live in it…live in it…

► Thanks for your watchingThanks for your watching

► Prepared by Ismail KIRBASPrepared by Ismail KIRBAS