Every place has a history but few cities have such an intriguing past as to make you want to visit the library to learn more. Istanbul is one such city whose history, carved into the landscape of the region and etched in the faces of its people, helps you enjoy the visiting experience more.

Stories of the battles and crusades of the once mighty Ottoman Empire stick with you as you mix with the locals in the bustling and authentic market places. History and its effects can be seen in every crevice of a city camped at the junction of two continents. The Istanbul of today is full of architectural gems whose Islamic texture proudly clings to tradition and values and gives even the most seasoned traveler a moment of awe.

Istanbul is the third largest city in the world and extends on both the Asian and European side of the Bosphorous Strait, allowing it to proudly stand as the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents- the western portion of Istanbul is in Europe, while the eastern portion is in Asia. Even the only mildly curious amongst us are likely to be intrigued by the possibilities existing in a city with such a unique geographical location.

This cultural and ethnic melting pot has recently expanded to accommodate a rapid growth in population. But as the world moves forward with ever increasing speed, it is gratifying to see the mosques and bazaars of Istanbul maintain their ethnic ways with enduring natural beauty. Evidence of this can be found when witnessing the magnificent Hagia Sophia, an enormous mosque and the great architectural landmark of Istanbul.

A trip to Istanbul offers an interesting insight into an Islamic country holding steadfastly to its ethnic values while also embracing tourism, industry and a surge in urban growth. It is one of Turkey’s major tourist destination centres and visitors are well catered for at Atatürk International Airport which hosts regular flights to Istanbul from across the globe.

Home to eleven million people, Istanbul has recently become a popular choice as a major conference destination among some of the world’s leading organisations. Unsurprisingly, given its perfect location, Istanbul is of major importance in both domestic and international trade, accounting for a large portion of Turkey’s imports and exports. But for the locals, trade takes place in the sun-soaked bazaars and much of the Istanbul experience revolves around haggling over prices of clothes, spices and jewelry- if you are willing to hold your ground against persuasive stall owners, you may well come away with bargain value crafts and other useful items.

A visit to Istanbul engages the mind more than most places, you will arrive feeling the weight of history and leave knowing that traditions that have been around for centuries can still be seen and Istanbul is a more fascinating and authentic place because of this.

Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.