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Fun facts about Istanbul

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Historical peninsula and modern skyline of Istanbul
city

The first known name of the city is Byzantium, founded by Megarian colonists around 657 BCE.

Istanbul
Turkey
Tap to learn more
city

Istanbul

Turkey

Country
Turkey
Population
15.8M
Coordinates
41.01, 28.98
9th most populous city in the world

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population.

From the “Names” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

Fact 1 permalink
Historical peninsula and modern skyline of Istanbul
city

Istanbul's shoreline has grown beyond its natural limits due to landfill, increasing the total area of the city to 5,343 square kilometers.

Istanbul
Turkey
Tap to learn more
city

Istanbul

Turkey

Country
Turkey
Population
15.8M
Coordinates
41.01, 28.98
9th most populous city in the world

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population.

From the “Geography and environment” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

Fact 2 permalink
Historical peninsula and modern skyline of Istanbul
city

Istanbul's tallest hill, Aydos, is 537 meters high.

Istanbul
Turkey
Tap to learn more
city

Istanbul

Turkey

Country
Turkey
Population
15.8M
Coordinates
41.01, 28.98
9th most populous city in the world

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population.

From the “Geography and environment” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

Fact 3 permalink
Historical peninsula and modern skyline of Istanbul
city

The Ottoman dynasty claimed the status of caliphate in 1517, with Constantinople remaining the capital of this last caliphate for four centuries.

Istanbul
Turkey
Tap to learn more
city

Istanbul

Turkey

Country
Turkey
Population
15.8M
Coordinates
41.01, 28.98
9th most populous city in the world

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

Fact 4 permalink
Historical peninsula and modern skyline of Istanbul
city

The name İstanbul is commonly held to derive from the Medieval Greek phrase eis tḕn Pólin, meaning 'to the city'.

Istanbul
Turkey
Tap to learn more
city

Istanbul

Turkey

Country
Turkey
Population
15.8M
Coordinates
41.01, 28.98
9th most populous city in the world

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population.

From the “Names” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

Fact 5 permalink