The most common description of Istanbul is "the city that bridges East and West". As over-used and pop as it is, this description is literally true. Istanbul's geographic expansion over Europe and Asia on either side of the Bosphorus, one of the two straits that connect Black Sea to the Aegean, increased throughout its history since 7th century B.C. and its contemporary layout makes it one of the biggest and fastest growing metropolises in the world.
The city is unique since...
more »The most common description of Istanbul is "the city that bridges East and West". As over-used and pop as it is, this description is literally true. Istanbul's geographic expansion over Europe and Asia on either side of the Bosphorus, one of the two straits that connect Black Sea to the Aegean, increased throughout its history since 7th century B.C. and its contemporary layout makes it one of the biggest and fastest growing metropolises in the world.
The city is unique since it provides a chance for one to have a cup of tea in a continent while looking out to another. Its geography has made the 'meeting of two worlds' idea about Istanbul fascinating since the time of Herodotus. Today the city still delivers its promise of a real mix of modern and traditional in life styles, culture, politics and arts. Hence the clichés of the orient are side by side with modern worldwide cultural trends in Istanbul neighborhoods. Head-to-toe covered women walk with performance artists on the street. Old men drink tea all day in traditional tea-houses right outside the Istanbul Modern, the fancy contemporary art museum. A former Ottoman prison famous for its dungeons is now a Four Seasons Hotel where you can sip your drink overlooking the 1500 years old Hagia Sophia. With a population over 12 million and growing, Istanbul is more alive and animated than ever.
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