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Istanbul is Europe's most populous city (the world's 4th largest city proper and 20th largest urban area with a population of 11, 2 million (2006) and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European and on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents.

Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots of Turkey. There are thousands of hotels and other tourist oriented industries in the city, catering to both vacationers and visiting professionals. In 2006 a total of 23, 1 million tourists visited Turkey, most of whom entered the country through the airports and seaports of Istanbul.
There are some places of Istanbul:

Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (1299–1922) was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Turkish-ruled state. At the height of its power (16th – 17th century), it spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque – Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii) is a historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is one of several mosques known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.

Hagia Sophia - Ayasofya
Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum, in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous in particular for its massive dome. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Medieval Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 AD.

The Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı in Turkish) is a palace which was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans, from 1465 to 1853. The palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments and is a major tourist attraction today. Initial construction started in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II.

The Süleymaniye Mosque - Suleymaniye
The Süleymaniye Mosque is a grand mosque in Istanbul. It was built on the order of sultan Suleiman I and was constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 155.

Istanbul is a popular tourist destination, with millions of tourist’s visiting the city every year and this city plays host to a large number of festivals, events and conferences. If you are planning to visit Istanbul, it is a good idea to plan your Istanbul City Breaks around one of these festivals.

About the Author:
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