Istanbul is in North Western Turkey and is commonly known as the ‘bridge’ that unites the Eastern and the Western parts of the world. Istanbul is a transcontinental city that straddles both Europe and Asia. The financial and commercial part of the city is found in Europe, while two-thirds of the city’s actual population resides in Asia. This “separation” gives the city a unique feel to it and it has become a place where cultures mix, becoming something new, and where tradition and innovation meet face-to-face.
Until 1930 the city held two names: Istanbul and its historic name of Constantinople. In 2012 it was declared a European capital of culture and is the world’s fifth most popular tourist destination. Architecture, cuisine and history are some of the things about the city that attract travellers.
