In 1453, the seventh sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed the Conqueror, finally conquered Constantinople, a city dreamed of by many a king, emperor and sultan. The conquest of Istanbul, which became the new capital of the Ottoman Empire, was an important turning point in world history.

Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and her allies in World War I, the National War of Independence was waged from 1919 to 1923. Following the war’s completion, the Turkish Republican State was formed. The first president of the new republic was, of course, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the commander-in-chief in the War of Independence.

As a result of the modernization process that has characterized Turkey’s Republican history since its beginning, Istanbul has developed an identity as a modern, global city that is unique to itself. From an economic and cultural perspective, Istanbul is the heart of contemporary Turkey. Due to the city’s unparalleled historical heritage, it continues to be a uniquely important city, not only for Turkey, but also in the eyes of the world as a whole.

Istanbul, which is home to many international political, cultural, fine-arts and sports organizations, is rapidly climbing toward the most elite level of world cities. As a unique synthesis of east and west, Istanbul is home to all of the colors of a world that no longer exists within borders.

Istanbul, Turkey’s open door to the West, has redefined its former status as an imperial capital through becoming a world-class centre of trade, business, tourism and culture.

Istanbul is bounded on the north and the south by two seas, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, respectively. The western half of the city lies in Europe while the eastern half is situated in Asia; in between the two halves flows the Bosporus Strait. Istanbul, representing the Asian city nearest Europe and the European city closest to Asia, is a leading port whose importance is stressed by the age-old trade routes passing through the Bosporus.

Istanbul enjoys four seasons. Spring in April and May is generally cool and brief. June exhibits traces of spring and hints of summer. The temperature in July and August averages 30° C. with high humidity. Fall is leisurely, lasting from September to December.

The temperatures are moderate—swimming in the sea till the end of September is not unusual—but it rains frequently. The weather is chilly between December and March but not severe (average temp. 5° C.). Only a few days are snowy with freezing temperatures. Throughout its history, Istanbul has maintained its position as the heart of the economy. The city today is the backbone of Turkey’s economy. Istanbul generates 46% of the national exports and imports 40% of the total imports of Turkey.

The possessor of many positive features in terms of history and culture, Istanbul is making great strides towards becoming an international tourism center. In recent years, the city, by virtue of its accommodation and convention facilities, is also heading toward the top as a center of convention tourism.

Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula, adorned with a vast number of museums and historical monuments, is the first destination for thousands of foreign and Turkish tourists. Indeed, it wouldn’t be incorrect to describe this peninsula as a summary of Istanbul’s history over thousands of years.