Istanbul is located in the north-west Marmara Region of Turkey. It encloses the

southern Bosphorus which places the city on two continents.

The city boundaries cover a surface area of 1,830.92 square kilometres.

ISTANBUL is the cultural and financial center of TURKEY.

It is the second largest metropolitan area in Europe and fourth largest

city proper in the world with a population of 12.6 million.

Istanbul has a history of over Istanbul has a history of over 2,500 years. It has been the 2,500 years. It has been the

capital of three great empires, capital of three great empires, the Roman, Byzantine and the Roman, Byzantine and

Ottoman empires.Ottoman empires.

Istanbul holds some of the finest institutions of higher education in

Turkey, including more than 20 public and private universities. Most of the reputable universities are public, but

in recent years there has also been an upsurge in the number of private

universities.