The population of Istanbul (Turkey): general description of the city

Istanbul rightfully can be considered one of the oldest cities in the world. Its history is more than two and a half thousand years. Until now, Istanbul has preserved the color and atmosphere of antiquity. Almost every street of the city can be seen traces of its glorious and rich history. Istanbul is an amazing combination of Muslim culture, antiquity and modern secular life. Antiquity and modernity harmoniously merged in this city into one. Without visiting Istanbul, we can not say that we visited Turkey. After all, this city is the heart of the country, the cradle of culture and history.

A bit of history

Until 1930, the city was called Constantinople. In literal translation means the city of Constantine. It is about the Roman emperor Constantine I, who in 330 transferred the capital of the state to modern Istanbul. Turkey is a name that the state will receive much later. Before Constantinople, the city was called Byzantium and was the heart of the Byzantine Empire. During the time of the Latin Empire, Constantinople was also elected as the capital. And of course, in the days of the glorious Ottoman Empire.

The name of the Republic of Turkey was fixed in 1923 after the victory of the national liberation movement led by Ataturk.

Geography and climate

Istanbul is an absolutely unique city. It is located immediately in two parts of the world, which can no longer be said about any other city in the world. It is divided into two parts by the Bosporus strait. Istanbul is located at the intersection of roads and worlds. The path from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea lies across the banks that bathe the Sea of Marmara. The combination of Asian culture and European liberalism is due to the fact that the city is located on the way from Asia to Europe.

Istanbul is completely in the zone of action of the temperate climatic zone. Therefore here it is warm, sometimes hot summer and cool winter. Snow is rare here, but it does happen that snow falls over the rain.

The time in Istanbul differs from that in Moscow for 1 hour. The territory of Turkey refers to the second time zone, while Moscow - to the third.

The population of Istanbul

According to unofficial data, the city is home to more than 25 million people. Officially, the population of Istanbul is more than 14 million people. This is due to a large flow of labor migrants from countries with a low level of economic development and zones of military conflicts. Usually these people are employed in the service and construction sector. That is, where you need low-skilled or hard work.

The population of Istanbul consists mainly of indigenous Turks who profess Islam. However, many Turks have Greek roots, which is historically conditioned. During the Ottoman Empire, a large number of Greeks who converted to Islam gathered in the cultural capital of Turkey - Istanbul. The language spoken by the overwhelming majority of the city's population is Turkish. However, many Turks speak English and Russian well. This particularly applies to the shopping areas of the city.

Areas of Istanbul

Istanbul throughout its long and glorious history was a very liberal city, which laid the foundation for its multiculturalism and multinationality. Representatives of different nationalities came to Istanbul, contributed to the development of the city and the creation of new areas.

The districts of Istanbul, like the city itself, are divided into European and Asian. Depending on which bank they are located on. The city is divided into 39 districts. Some of them can be considered industrial, some sleeping, others tourist and historical.

The most famous districts of Istanbul are the following:

• Princes' Isles. Usually the most sparsely populated area of the city, but at the same time it is a resort. The population of Istanbul enjoys spending its weekend there.
• Besiktas. The area that occupied the coastline of the city.
• Fatih is a historical district. It is in Fatih that the main sights of the city are located: the church of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and others.
• Beyoglu. No less famous area than Fatih. Tourists have chosen it thanks to Taksim Square, the Galata Tower. These two regions are connected by a Galata bridge.
• Eyup. The best area of Istanbul, in order to admire the Golden Horn Bay.
• Laleli. The shopping area of the city, in fact, the district-market. There is a huge number of stores that deal with the sale of goods produced primarily in light industry factories.

Economy

According to economic indicators, Istanbul is significantly superior to any other city in the country. An interesting fact is that there are 30 billionaires in the city. That in itself is indicative. In addition, 27% of GDP falls on Istanbul. Turkey gave the city-giant more than 20% of the total workforce, but at the same time receives from there about 40% of all taxes.

The industry, concentrated mainly in the suburbs of Istanbul, is very diverse. From machine building to the food industry. Most of the exports are represented by food and light industry goods (about 80%). A special item of the city's revenue is the receipt of funds from the passage of ships across the Bosporus Strait.

Education in Istanbul

Istanbul is also the scientific center of the country. Students from all over the country come to the city, as well as from neighboring countries. The city is the largest in Istanbul University of Turkey. The number of students is about 140 000 people. This is the oldest and prestigious higher education institution in the country. Very well-known are the Istanbul Technical University (one of the oldest technical universities in the world) and the University of Marmara.
In addition to these well-known and prestigious educational institutions, there are many smaller and less well-known private and public universities in the city that train specialists in a variety of ways. In Istanbul, the largest research centers of the country and the largest libraries are concentrated.

Transport infrastructure of the city

Beginning in the 1990s, Turkey and Istanbul developed rapidly in all spheres of public life. The population grew at a rapid pace. The city administration made a decision to develop the infrastructure in order to provide the population of Istanbul with comfortable living conditions. Within the framework of this program, special attention was paid to the development of the transport system of the city.

Within the city there are two major international airports: one in its European part, the other in Asian. They provide air traffic and passenger traffic. Sea transportation is provided due to a large number of ports, berths, various terminals for storage and other things. Most of the cargo and passengers arrive and leave Istanbul with the help of railway transport. For this purpose two railway stations were built.

Public transport

Separate attention is paid to the city transport of Istanbul. Istanbul and city guests can use trams. They are comfortable, fast, modern. With their help you can see the whole center of Istanbul. Metrobuses provide communication with new areas of the city without traffic jams. Buses are the most popular type of public transport in the city. Dolmush is a semblance of our shuttle buses. Also there is a taxi, funicular, underground, ferries.

Unusual is that no type of transport covers the entire city. In the center you can easily and quickly reach the right place by tram, from the airport to the center by metro, and then cross to the Asian side by cable car or ferry. What unites them is that any type of public transport in Istanbul is fast, convenient and modern.

Attractions and tourism

Churches, mosques, palaces, parks, squares, fortresses, bridges, museums and bazaars are a small list of what can and should be seen in Istanbul. Most of the historical sights are concentrated in the Fatih district. Here are the world-famous Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Without an inspection of these monuments of culture and history, no one sightseeing tour of the city passes.

Annually the city is visited by more than 10 million tourists, which is an indicator of its historical, cultural attractiveness. The city administration pays much attention to the development of the tourist infrastructure, which brings enormous funds to the treasury.

Tourist even with the most modest budget will be able to spend time in Istanbul perfectly. After all, for this there are all conditions: inexpensive transport, a large number of hotels and hostels, which in connection with tough competition offer good accommodation for a modest fee, and an unforgettable color of the city museum.