History And Geography

History

According to the best-known legend related to the foundation of Istanbul, a sea tribe from the Aegean left their city Megara in search of a new homeland under the guidance of Byzas around 650 BC. Istanbul's fertile lands, riches and the advantages of a natural harbor, amazed the migrants.

Towards the end of the 4th century AD, the Roman Empire had expanded and Rome no longer remained the central position of the empire, generating a need to establish a new capital. The Emperor Constantine the Great finally chose Istanbul as the new Roman capital after analyzing its strategic positioning at the intersection of sea and land routes and the importance of its perfect climate. It was named Byzantium and was later replaced by Constantinopolis. Successors of Constantine continued to improve city defenses and beautified the city with churches, shrines, plazas and gardens.

The Roman Empire was divided into two halves, namely the western and eastern halves. The eastern half was later referred to as the Byzantine Empire. Istanbul was ruled by the Byzantine Empire who managed to defend the city against numerous attacks from other expanding civilizations. The Byzantines suffered from a few attacks of Persian and Arab clans. Internal feuds in the empire caused the throne to change hands repeatedly. During the years from 726 to 842 AD, the city witnessed the iconoclastic movement where different religious images in Istanbul were banned leading to destruction and concealment of numerous paintings and statues.

Frequent Latin invasions started from 1204 when the city walls were breached by the armies of the Fourth Crusade. Over the years, the Latin invasions robbed the city's churches, monasteries and monuments of their treasures. Even though the Byzantines regained control of the city in 1261, Istanbul never fully recovered its previous wealth.

Lead by Fateh Mehmet II, the Ottomans, a previously obscure clan, breached the walls and conquered the Byzantine capital of Constantinople in 1435 AD. The cause for such a victory lies in the fact that the Byzantine Empire was already weak owing to the repeated Mongolian sacking, subsequent internal confusion and lack of powerful leadership and thus fell to the Turkish invaders. Mehmet named his recently conquered city Istanbul.

Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent was responsible for taking the Ottoman Empire to its zenith. The fourth Ottoman sultan to reign, from 1520 until 1566, he managed the then most powerful state in the world and succeeded in doubling the Ottoman land holdings he inherited from his father. The sultan was also responsible for bringing a profusion of stylish mosques, baths, schools, fountains, and gardens to Istanbul. A virtual revival occurred in literature, arts and sciences, and he set a new standard of jurisdiction.

Upon Süleyman's demise, the slow decline of the Ottoman Empire commenced, finally disintegrating completely three hundred years later in 1924 when Kemal Ataturk brought an end to the Muslim caliphate and established the Republic of Turkey. Much of the original magnificence created by the Ottomans still resides in Istanbul. Süleymaniye Mosque, the architectural marvel, is a clear and unique illustration of the glorious Turkish history.

Geography

The city of Istanbul lies in both Europe and Asia. The eastern part (Asia) and western half (Europe) are separated by the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus creates a natural north-south border, flowing from the Black Sea into the Sea of Marmara. The Bay of Golden Horn is the old part of the city.

Istanbul's geography is such that it is surrounded by water bodies on two sides, greatly influencing its climate. During the winter months from November to February, the temperature averages at 40o Fahrenheit with 30 to 40 inches of rainfall. Summer temperatures rise to the low 80s.