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The position of jstanbul as a crossing between continents has always been a determining factor for the city. Throughout history, migrations, invasions from every direction, new inventions and concepts and new ways of life have merged in the cultural crucible of jstanbul, taken new forms and transferred to other regions. jstanbul held great importance for the historical cultures of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Black Sea. In every era, the city's rich natural environs and uniquely beautiful topography have made it an attraction.

For thousands of years, from prehistory to ancient ages to modern times, the area has hosted human settlements, and today retains its quality as an important world center.

lstanbul, with its unique position that connects Asia and Europe, is one of the most important cities on earth. The Bosphorus strait on which it is positioned is a connecting point to the Aegean and Mediterranean seas to the south, and to the Black Sea and the Danube, Dnieper and Don rivers to the north. Thus it has always been a junction of trade.

Dense and rich forests lie along the northern side of the city, fruits and vegetables endemic to the region flourish in its fertile land, migrating birds and vast fish migrations make istanbul a habitat for wildlife as well as for humans. What makes istanbul privileged, and enfolds it with an extraordinary beauty compared to other cities, is the land-sea harmony along the Bosphorus and at the southern meeting point of the Bosphorus with the sea.

Seasons in istanbul are generally moderate, thus rendering the city comfortably liveable year-round, yet one can certainly enjoy sunbathing in the hot summer sun, and sometimes winter can bring a cover of snow. With spring comes a feast of purple redbuds along the Bosphorus shores and an array of colorful flowering trees throughout the city. With the coming of the autumn mists, the city retains a more romantic appearance.

Istanbul is the largest and most important city of Turkey that may be regarded as the leading open-air museum of Turkish culture. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, who had designated Ankara as the nation's capital mainly for
geostrategic reasons, was a great admirer of istanbul.During his presidency, he came to Istanbul every opportunity and left his lasting mark through the city in his last days, he resided at Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus, where he Could observe his
beloved istanbul took on its role as the important plateau in the progress of the new, modern Turkey after the war of
independence and the founding of the republic in 1923.

It was the most dazzling center of the dream to create a contemporary society in line with international standards. And today, this city lying at the intersection of the hubs of Europe, Asia, Middle East and North Africa, continues to be the pride of Turkey.

THE HISTORY OF ISTANBUL

It is estimated that, starting from 5000 BC, the population density grew in various parts of istanbul, including present-day Kadikoy-Fikirtepe, Catalca, Dudullu, Umraniye, Pendik, Davutpasa, Kilyos and Ambarli. The foundations of today's istanbul were laid
in the 7th century BC. The city was rebuilt in the 4th century by Byzantine Emperor Constantine I, who designated it the capital. From that time on, for nearly 16 centuries from Roman and Byzantine times to the Ottoman rule, istanbul remained a capital. The city was one of the most important centers of both Christianity and Islam. Istanbul has stood as a symbol of greatness, a confluence of peoples, languages, religions and continents.

Settlers from the city-state of Megaria crossed the Marmara Sea in around 680 BC, reached the area of today's Kadikoy on the Asian shores of istanbul and built a city they named Khalkedon. In around 660 BC, another wave of immigrants, under the leadership of Thrace-born Commander Byzas, founded a city on the peninsula across, which was named Byzantium, today's Sarayburnu. This city-state, under the threat of Macedonians in 202 BC, demanded help from Rome and thus fell under the influence of the Roman Empire, ending its city-state status. In 193 BC, Roman Emperor Septimus Severus besieged Byzantium in response to internal strife in the Empire and destroyed the city walls. He then rebuilt the city, repaired the walls and started building the Hippodrome, with a 100,000 people capacity, which became one of the important monuments of the city. Many statues were placed along the 480-meter long walls of the giant Hippodrome. (Much later, during the Christian Crusades, the Latins who invaded and sacked the city transferred these statues to St. Mark's Cathedral square in Venice.)

In the 4th century, in the period when the Rome was losing its grip and the empire was splitting into two, Constantine, known in history as Constantine the Great, embraced Christianity. Byzantium was renamed Nea Roma, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, thus marking the beginning of the city's rise to an important role in world culture and politics. In 330, Constantine rededicated the city as Constantinopolis.He built the first church in the city, Hagia Irene Church. Probahly istanbul's most famous
landmark. the Hagia Sophia (also spelled Ayasofyal was built by Emperor tustinian I in the year 537. The romp.etion of Hagia Sophia, the great domed cathedral, established Istanbul's fame as a capital of Christianity. After the breakup of Western Roman power, Constantinople continued as the capital of the Empire. The city was besieged countless times by Sassanids, Avars, Bulgarians, Arabs, Russians and the Crusaders. After it was invaded and ruled over by the Latins until 1261.

Istanbul was besiegedat various times by the Ottomans starting from 1391, but owing to the protection of its high city walls, Byzantine power continued within the limited area that is today's historic peninsula. Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror (1432-1481), who was determined to take the city, built great cannons, gathered together a powerful navy with 16 galleys and conquered the city on May 29, 1453. This was the beginning of a new era for istanbul: the Ottoman Empire.

Sultan Mehmet first set to work repairing old buildings and walls that had lost their splendor during the declining years of Byzantine rule. Gradually, the principle Ottoman buildings rose on old Byzantine infrastructure. The Ottomans protected important Byzantine works, facilitated a development in line with the city's new identity and declared istanbul their capital within 50 years after the conquest, istanbul had become the largest city of Europe. During the rule of Suleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566) Istanbul gained many more important buildings as well as a city plan, of which traces still can be seen. The great Architect Sinan built many important buildings for the city. From 1718 to 1730 known as the ("Tulip Era"), under the grand vizier ship of Damat ibrahim Pasha Nevsehir, flowers were cultivaned and planted throughout the city. This was also a time of flowering for
istanbul in culture, the arts music and literature. After World War I, on November 13 1918 was invaded by Entente Powers and remained under occupation until after Turkey won its independence. Upon the foundation of the republic in the same year.

Istanbul lost its status as the capital, but continued to be nation's most important city. Today istanbul is the heart of the Turkish economy and has the largest population. Declared European Cultural Capital of 2010, the city host numerous international organizations every year and sets the nation's agenda in business, arts, sports and fashion. Istanbul is only of the world's most lively metropolises with international fairs, congeresses and conferences, film, music and theatre festivals, the biennal, which has become one of the most important activities of contemporary art in the world, and international sports competitions. Physically it connect two continents but it vast history, unlimited devolepment potential and inclusiveness, Istanbul is an important junction of all continents and all humanity.

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