"There, God and human, nature and art are together,
they have created such a perfect place that it is
valuable to see." Lamartine's famous poetic line
reveals his love for Istanbul, describing the
embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching
out to Asia and the other to Europe.
Istanbul, once known as the capital of capital
cities, has many unique features. It is the only
city in the world to straddle two continents, and
the only one to have been a capital during two
consecutive empires - Christian and Islamic. Once
capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul still
remains the commercial, historical and cultural
pulse of Turkey, and its beauty lies in its ability
to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern,
religious and secular, Asia and Europe, mystical and
earthly all co-exist here.
Its variety is one of Istanbul's greatest
attractions: The ancient mosques, palaces, museums
and bazaars reflect its diverse history. The
thriving shopping area of Taksim buzzes with life
and entertainment. And the serene beauty of the
Bosphorus, Princes Islands and parks bring a touch
of peace to the otherwise chaotic metropolis.
Districts
Adalar, Avcılar, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler,
Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Bayrampaşa, Beykoz,
Beyoğlu, Eminönü, Eyüb, Fatih, Gaziosmanpaşa,
Kadıköy, Kâğıthane, Kartal, Küçükçekmece,
Pendik, Sarıyer, Şişli, Ümraniye, Üsküdar,
Zeytinburnu, Büyükçekmece, Çatalca, Silivri,
Şile, Esenler, Güngören, Maltepe, Sultanbeyli,
Tuzla
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