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Tourist information - Istanbul
Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, is a city in northwestern Turkey, the only city in the world that sits astride two continents-Europe and Asia. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the country's chief commercial and cultural center. With the finest natural harbor in the region, it is also an important trade hub. The city is the capital of Istanbul Province, which is bounded on the north by the Black Sea, on the south and southwest by the Sea of Marmara, on the east by Kocaeli Province, and on the west by Tekirdag Province. The Bosporous, a narrow strait that links the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, separates Istanbul's European and Asian sections.
Istanbul has a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters, making it a popular vacation spot. Precipitation varies from an average of 33 mm (1.3 in) in summer to an average of 107 mm (4.2 in) in winter. The city is prone to earthquakes, some of which have caused severe damage.
Istanbul was founded in the 7th century BC as Byzantium. In the 4th century AD it was renamed Constantinople by Roman emperor Constantine the Great. The city served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire until it was captured by the Ottomans in the 15th century and made the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans called the city Istanbul for centuries, but it was not until 1930, seven years after Turkey gained independence, that Istanbul became its official name. According to some sources, the name Istanbul is derived from the Greek term stin poli, meaning "to the city" or "in the city
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