Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul known formerly Constantinople, Turkey's largest city and main seaport. It was the capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The ancient walled city of Istanbul sits on a triangular peninsula between Europe and Asia. For more than 2,500 years, Istanbul has stood between the opposing waves of religion, culture and imperial power. For the majority of those years, it was one of the most coveted cities in the world. It was founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BC by Greek settlers originating from Megara. The Roman emperor Constantine the Great made it his imperial capital in 330 BC, naming it first New Rome and later Constantinople after himself. The city's name was officially changed to Istanbul in 1930. The city continued to serve as the imperial capital for nearly 1600 years, growing in size and influence, ultimately becoming a beacon on the Silk Road and one of the most significant cities in history. The city was a key player in the advance of Christianity in Roman/Byzantine times, holding four of the first seven ecumenical councils before becoming an Islamic citadel after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. Istanbul's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city is home to a number of Turkish companies, which account for more than 30% of the country's economy. Istanbul is mainly known for its Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, and even though it has evolved as a Turkish city since 1453, it has many ancient, Roman, Byzantine, Christian, Muslim and Jewish monuments.