About Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

• Postal code: 34000 to 34990
• Weather: 16°C, Wind N at 14 km/h, 72% Humidity
• Population: 15.07 million (Dec 31, 2018)
• Area code(s): 212 (European side); 216 (Asian side)
• Districts: 39
• Did you know: Istanbul is the most-populous European city by population within city limits (15,067,724)