Istanbul's European part is separated from its Asian part by the Bosphorus strait, a 31-km-long waterway that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, and forms a natural boundary between the two continents.
Europe and Asia are separated by the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. There are three very large suspension bridges that connect the European and Asian shores of Istanbul, but also vapors (ferries in Turkish) that go all day round (see our article on public transport).
'Istanbul strait', colloquially Boğaz) is a natural strait and an internationally significant waterway located in Turkey which is straddled by the city of Istanbul. The Bosporus connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and forms one of the continental boundaries between Asia and Europe.
Why is Istanbul referred to as a bridge between two continents?
Istanbul's unique geographical location straddling Europe and Asia has played a pivotal role in its history. The Bosphorus Strait, separating the two continents, has made Istanbul a strategic and cultural crossroads.
There's only one day of the year, however, that you can cross between continents on foot. The Bosphorus Bridge, built in 1973, doesn't usually allow pedestrians—though it's always tempting when you're stuck in a traffic jam to jump out and just walk. (Don't do this. It's illegal.)
Ferries are a popular mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike. There are 22 ferry routes across the Bosphorus and the crossing takes just 15 minutes. Tickets cost as little as 12 Turkish Lira ($0.50) with sailings every 15 minutes from 6am to 11pm.
Bosphorus is a natural strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, thus being a very strategic waterway. It was a river in the valley during the Tertiary period of the continents, which was drowned by the sea at the end of this period.
No pedestrians or commercial vehicles, such as trucks, are allowed to use the bridge today. Today, around 180,000 vehicles pass daily in both directions, with almost 85% being cars. On 29 December 1997, the one-billionth vehicle passed the bridge.
Belgium is known as the "Cockpit of Europe". It has been the site of more European battles than any other country. For example, Oudenarde, Ramillies, Ligny, Quatre Bras, Waterloo. Waterloo in Belgium is the war zone of Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle, the Battle of Waterloo.
Istanbul is located on either side of the Bosporus Strait, a body of water that divides Europe and Asia geographically. Thus, the almost 15 million-person Turkish city is located on both continents.
Turkestan, also meaning the "land of the Turks", was used for a historic region in Central Asia. Middle English usage of Turkye or Turkeye is found in The Book of the Duchess (written in 1369–1372) to refer to Anatolia or the Ottoman Empire. The modern spelling Turkey dates back to at least 1719.
As long as Axis forces were positioned in Bulgaria, they could threaten Istanbul, the economic center of Turkey. Until this threat was removed or more military assistance was received, the Turks would remain neutral.
While Istanbul as whole has a population of about 15 million( that would make It biggest ) , only 10 million live on the European part . The rest live in the Asian part . Meanwhile Moscow has a population of about 13 million and is located entirely in Europe .
What language do they speak in Istanbul? Will it be hard to get by with only English? Turkish is the official language of Turkey and English is widely spoken in Istanbul; visitors are often surprised by the relatively high level of English spoken by most Turks.
The strait is known as the Bosporus. But only Turkish submarines can pass through the Bosporus because of an agreement signed in the aftermath of the First World War. The 1936 Montreux Convention, formally The Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits, limits naval movements through the Bosporus.
Location: Turkey is located in Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. European (or Balkan) Turkey is relatively small compared to the Asian part, the Anatolian Plateau, which is a large peninsula. Population: 80,810,525 (December 2017 est.)
You can cross the Canal via several ways: by the passenger ferry, El Ferdan railway Bridge, El Qantara Bridge, Ahmed Hammdi Tunnel and The Suez Canal Bridge all of which run almost non-stop during the day.
A bloom of phytoplankton has turned the strait bright turquoise. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in watery environments – and they make their own food, using sunlight and dissolved nutrients.
The salinity of the Black Sea's surface waters averages between 17 and 18 parts per thousand, which is approximately half that of the oceans. A marked increase in salinity, up to 21 parts per thousand, occurs in the Black Sea at depths of roughly 160 to 500 feet (50 to 150 metres).
Türkiye has announced an increase in the transit fee for ships passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits by 15%, raising the rate to $5.83 per net ton, starting July 1, 2025.
The Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim is a rare, once- in-a-lifetime experience with 6.5 km of vibrant blue currents, crossing from Asia to Europe through one of the world's busiest waterways.
Yes. Sign in online or open your Uber app to request a ride in Istanbul, and let your driver take you where you want to go. (You might see other Istanbul transportation options available in your app, too.)
