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İstanbul
Istanbul (/ˌɪstænˈbʊl/ IST-an-BUUL,[7][8] US also /ˈɪstænbʊl/ IST-an-buul; Turkish: İstanbul formerly
known as Constantinople,
is the largest city in Turkey, serving as
the country's economic, cultural and historic hub. The city straddles the Bosporus strait, lying in
both Europe and Asia, and has a
population of over 15 million residents, comprising 19% of the population of
Turkey. Istanbul is the most populous
European city,[b] and the
world's 15th-largest
city.
The city was founded
as Byzantium (Byzantion)
in the 7th century BCE by Greek settlers
from Megara.] In 330 CE,
the Roman
emperor Constantine the Great made it his
imperial capital, renaming it first as New Rome (Nova Roma)[10] and then as
Constantinople (Constantinopolis) after himself. The city grew in
size and influence, eventually becoming a beacon of the Silk Road and one of the
most important cities in history.
The city served as an
imperial capital for almost 1600 years: during the Roman/Byzantine (330–1204), Latin (1204–1261), late Byzantine (1261–1453),
and Ottoman (1453–1922) empires.] The city played
a key role in the advancement of Christianity during
Roman/Byzantine times, hosting four (including Chalcedon (Kadıköy) on the Asian side)
of the first seven ecumenical councils (all
of which were in present-day Turkey) before its transformation to an Islamic stronghold
following the Fall
of Constantinople in
1453 CE—especially after becoming the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1517.
In 1923, after
the Turkish War of Independence, Ankara replaced the
city as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Turkey.
In 1930, the city's name was officially changed to Istanbul, the Turkish
rendering of the appellation Greek speakers
used since the eleventh century to colloquially refer to the city.
Over 13.4 million foreign visitors came to Istanbul in
2018, eight years after it was named a European Capital of Culture, making it
the world's eighth most visited city.] Istanbul is
home to several UNESCO World
Heritage Sites,
and hosts the headquarters of numerous Turkish companies, accounting for more
than thirty percent of the country's economy.