15 Surprising Facts of Istanbul
15 Surprising Facts of Istanbul
Istanbul has some unusual facts to its history. With many tourist places and a delightful way of life.
There are quite a few facts that will surprise anyone who is not knowledgeable about the large city of Istanbul. From tulips to population to Agatha Christie to the population.
1.Istanbul is the only city in the world that stands on both two continents: Europe and Asia.
2. Ankara is the modern capital of Turkey. Istanbul, was the ancient capital of many empires, from Rome to the Ottoman era.
3.Istanbul, is built on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome. Formally known as Constantinople thanks to the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.
4.During the Ottoman Empire, the city was renowned for having more than 1,400 public washrooms.
5.Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city with more than 14 million people – 99 percent of which are Muslim.
6.Tulips, the symbol of Holland, originated in Istanbul and were transported from Istanbul to Netherlands.
7.The Grand Bazaar is the largest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops.
8.The famous British author Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel “Murder on the Orient Express” at Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul.
9. Istanbul is enclosed by sea, with the Bosphorus ongoing right through it. Snow is also common in Istanbul during winter months, with the annual average being 18 inches.
10.Istanbul has the same population as one of the smallest countries in Europe, Belgium. 13 million and increasing.
11.The Galata Tower, originally named the Tower of Christ, was built in 1348 at the high point of guarded walls and was used to house prisoners of war, that later became a watch tower, but now offers a 360-degree viewing gallery of the city.
12.Istanbul has been a noted stimulus for authors from Ernest Hemingway and Paul Theroux to Orhan Pamuk and Abdülhak Sinasi Hisar
13.Istanbul was once acclaimed as the most congested cities in the world – in 1502.
14.Istanbul has the third oldest underground railroad in the world, built in 1875. Located in Beyoglu district it is 573 meters long.
15.Istanbul has never hosted the Olympics but was the European Cultural Capital City in 2010.
