Istanbul is one of the great historical cities of the world. The only
city in the world located on two continents with the channel to the Bosphoros
separating it between Asia and Europe. The Bosphorus runs north to the Black Sea
and south to the Marmara Sea. Istanbul is located in the Marmara region of
Turkey and is a major seaport city as well as an industrial trade centre.
Manufacturing includes shipbuilding, glass, textiles, shoes and cement.
The city has three parts: the Old City, the New City and the Asiatic. The old
town and new towns, encompass the greater part of the city, are located in
Europe. The Asiatic side is connected to the European side by two bridges, the
Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges and Fatih Sultan
Mehmet Bridge. The Old City and the New City are separated by the Golden Horn,
an inlet of the Bosphorus. It is a natural channel seven km long and is
connected by two bridges, the Galata Bridge and Ataturk Bridge.
Istanbul has both natural beauty and a rich historical heritage to be found
mainly in the Old City.