Istanbul is the world's only city that embraces two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe. Through the city's heart, the Istanbul Strait, the waters of the Black Sea course to the Marmara and Aegean Seas.

Istanbul is truly a world city, a city which everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It is an enchanting blend of Eastern and Western culture, a vibrant, modern city, with a unique identity, its rich past coexisting alongside its youthful exuberance.

Istanbul being the capital of three successive empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman; today honors and preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to a modern future.

Though hard to imagine, Istanbul is a city hosting;

• 2 continents at the same time,
• 3 empires as Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman,
• 400 mosques at least 200 years old,
• 200 churches at least 300 years old,
• 40 synagogues,
• 200 museums of different interests,
• 200 indoor and outdoor market places and
• 15 million people of all races.

For further details regarding Istanbul, please click on the "More About Istanbul" link.

For visa information, please visit the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site by clicking here.