Istanbul: Turkey
Istanbul (Turkish: ?stanbul; contraction of the city’s previous Greek name Constantinople ) is the largest city in Turkey, and arguably the most important. It is located on the Bosphorus strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn (Turkish: Hali), in the northwest of the country. It is officially in both Europe and Asia, but is generally considered European. The city is also the administrative capital of Istanbul Province. Its population is between 11 and 15 million people, making it, by some counts, one of the largest cities in Europe.
Originally founded by Greek colonists as Byzantium, it was made the seat of government in 324 CE by the Roman Emperor Constantine; Byzantium was renamed Nova Roma (New Rome) but this name failed to impress and the city soon became known as Constantinople, the City of Constantine. Then, after the Roman Empire split in two, it became the capital of the eastern half, known as the Byzantine Empire. This empire quickly became distinctly Greek in culture and the centre of Greek Orthodox Christianity and was adorned with many impressive churches including the once world’s largest cathedral: Hagia Sophia. The seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church is located in Istanbul until our days. After the Fall of Constantinople to the invading Turks,in 1453, Constantinople became part of the Ottoman Empire and soon its capital. Before the conquest Turks called the city ?stanbul, but officially used the name Qus?an?aniyyeh, which means “City of Constantine” in Arabic. Only on March 28, 1930, was the city officially renamed Istanbul.
Related Travel Information
Bolu: Turkey
Bolu (Bithynium lat) Turkish province and town of 75,000 inhabitants. Bolu was found at the Highway from Istanbul to Ankara winding up the Bolu Mountains.
Province
Holyday Resort Lake Abant and hot springs.
Holyday Resort Yedigöler (seven seas)
Mudurnu (Modrenea)
Mengen
Gerede
Kartalkaya Ski Resort
Seben Çeltikler
Göynük Ak?emseddin Mausoleum
Karaman: Turkey
Karaman is a town in south central Turkey, located north of the Taurus Mountains, ca 100 km south of Konya. It is the capital of the Karaman Province. In 2000 it had a population of 105 384. The Karaman Museum is one of the major sights.
In ancient times Karaman was known as Laranda. It was destroyed by Perdiccas about 322 BC and later became a seat of Isaurian pirates. It belonged to the Roman and later Byzantine Empire until it was captured by the Seljuks in the early 12th century. It was occupied by Frederick Barbarossa in 1190. In
Afyon: Turkey
Afyonkarahisar (Turkish for the black opium castle) is a city in western Turkey, also known simply as Afyon (i.e. opium) or as Karahisar-i Sahip. Older spellings include Afium-Kara-hissar and Afyon Karahisar. It is the capital of Afyon province. It is located 250 km south-west of Ankara along the Akar River at an elevation of 1 034 meters. It has a population of 128 516 and is an important railroad junction between Izmir, Konya, Ankara and Istanbul. The region is traditionally the main producer of opium in Turkey, thereby its name.
Afyon was known as Acroënus until the reign of the
Kastamonu: Turkey
Kastamonu is the capitol district of the Kastamonu Province, Turkey. It has a population of 103,340 (2000 census), and an area of 1482 km2. It is located to the south of the province.
Near the city (approximately 10 miles) is the village of Kasaba with an important mosque, the Mahmut Bey mosque, from 1366, built in the Seljuk tradition. It is considered to be one of the finest wooden mosques in Turkey. The door has excellent woodcarving.
Çorum: Turkey
Çorum is a town in the Corum Province of Turkey. As of 2004, the population was 178,500. It is located at Latitude of 40.56° North and a Longitude of 34.96° East. Corum is also home to the Famous Ertugrul, who's family is one of the biggest and oldest. The Karadeniz dynasty first started in the early 12th century, and the family ruled in corum since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in the early 20th century after which all powers were stripped. The only surviving member of the family is Ertugrul who currently resides in London, UK.
