City

General Info

The distinguishing features of the city of Istanbul are its geographic location, unique natural beauty, and the great historical and cultural heritage which has come to symbolize the city. Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus peninsula, with Halic (Golden Horn) in the northwest of the country. It is the only city placed on two continents: European and Asian Regions. With a unique location, between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul embraces both western and eastern cultures. 
 
The meeting point of European culture and traditional eastern values, Istanbul  has been the capital of three magnificient empires in history: Roman Empire (330-395), Byzantine Empire (395-1453), and Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). Thus, the city has been known with different names throughout history: Byzantium, Constantinople and Stambul are the most widely-known names associated with the city. However, there are also many other names given to the city like Augusta Antonina, Second Rome (New Rome), Kostantiniyye, Islambol. The Byzantine Empire used expressions such as 'The Great City', 'City of Emperors'. Actually, Istanbul did not lose any value even with the establishment of Ankara as the capital of the modern Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Istanbul is still the biggest and richest financial and cultural center and the most populous city of Turkey. The first foundations of today´s Istanbul were laid down in the 7th century BC. lt was rebuilt and made the capital city (Constantinople) by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. Since then, for sixteen centuries, the city has retained its position as the capital city of Eastern Rome, the Byzantine Empire, and Ottoman Empire. In addition to becoming one of the most cherished centers of Christianity under the reign of Emperor Constantine, Istanbul evolved to be the most important center in the Islamic world following the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Its location has always enabled the city to play a key role in history. As early as the ancient times, the city enjoyed an advantageous position in terms of the control of both the East-West road from Europe to Asia Minor and the sea connection in the North-South direction. Established at the crossroads of human history, Istanbul has for centuries attracted the interests of many emperors, armies, adventurers, merchants, philosophers, and great religious figures. Istanbul has always attracted political, religious, and artistic characters throughout history. The city has always been of great value to the whole world. There have been narratives written that assert that possession of Istanbul meant possession of the world. Istanbul is often referred as 'the city of seven hills' because the historical part of the city is located on seven hills. Each hill is often represented with a mosque. Istanbul has been one of the most vivid and active cities in the world, hosting many international cultural and political organizations and meetings every year. The heritage of Istanbul is being discovered by more and more people everyday.

The city's historic areas have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Recently, the city of Istanbul was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010 (www.istanbul2010.org). This merger of distinguished, rich cultural traditions reveals itself in the historical shell of the city: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Blue Mosque, Land Walls, Galata Tower, and many more. Actually, all around Istanbul, one may realize a historical, melancholic atmosphere. The mosques, churches, synagogues display a unique combination of cultural heritage of religions. The harmonic religious heritage of the city represents an example, emphasizing on tolerance and sympathy. Treasures of Istanbul reveal themselves as the city is discovered step by step; the voyage of Istanbul never ends. This is probably one of the reasons why the city has been an object of attraction and a source of inspiration for many writers and artists. As Alphonse de Lamartine says, "If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul". 

Currency
TL (Turk Lirasi) is the currency in use in Turkey. The TL is divided into 100 Kurus. TL notes appear in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 TL, and the coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 Kurus and also in 1 TL. The old TL notes and coins are no longer in circulation since 1st January 2006. For the official exchange rates, please see www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng.

Time Zone
Standard time zone in Turkey is UTC/GMT +2 hours. At 11:00 a.m. in Istanbul, the time is; 09:00 a.m. in London - 10:00 a.m. in Zurich - 10:00 a.m. in Madrid - 11:00 a.m. in Athens

Electricity Specifications
Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets/points. Many appliances with their own power adapters, such as laptop computers and digital cameras, can be plugged into 220-volt sockets/points.

Mobile Phones
 If you have a GSM-standard phone operating on the 900Mhz and/or 1800Mhz band(s), you can use "international roaming" in Turkey. This is the most expensive way to make calls, but the easiest. If your 900Mhz/1800MMobile Phones
If you have a GSM-standard phone operating on the 900Mhz and/or 1800Mhz band(s), you can use "international roaming" in Turkey. This is the most expensive way to make calls, but the easiest. If your 900Mhz/1800Mhz GSM phone is "unlocked," you can buy a prepaid Turkish SIM card and call within Turkey at local rates. This is much cheaper than roaming.

Telephone Calls to and From Turkey Istanbul Municipality
www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx

Istanbul Ataturk Airport
www.ataturkairport.com/eng/index.php

Istanbul Railway System
www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/en/default.asp

About Istanbul
english.istanbul.com
www.istanbultourist.com
www.exploreistanbul.com