Host City
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Istanbul, Türkiye
Facts about Istanbul:
- Istanbul is located both in Europe and Asia
Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents. Geographically, it is in both Europe and Asia. Istanbul is considered European, despite occupying two different continents. The Bosporus Strait divides the two continents and passes through Istanbul. It is the link between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The European side is the western half of Istanbul – located west of the Bosphorus. The Asian side is the eastern half of the city and is located east of the Bosphorus. Two-thirds of the population of Istanbul live on the European side.
- Istanbul is one of the world’s most populated cities
Since the 1950s, the population of Istanbul has grown significantly. In 1950, the city’s population was almost 970,000. Today, the population of Istanbul is 15,636,000. This makes Istanbul the most populous city in Europe and the fifth-largest city in the world in terms of population within city limits. For comparison, about 11.56 million people are living in the entire country of Belgium.
- Istanbul is the City on the Seven Hills
Istanbul is built on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome. But this isn’t some sort of geographical coincidence. In fact, it was a deliberate decision by the Byzantine Empire so it could proclaim itself the ‘new Rome’ and snub the crumbling Roman empire. The city walls surrounded the seven hills, just like they did in Rome.
- Istanbul is home to the oldest covered market in the world
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is the oldest and biggest covered market in the world. The Grand Bazaar is located in the district of Fatih inside the Walled city of Istanbul. Its history dates back to the winter of 1455/56. Today, the Grand Bazaar is a thriving shopping area and one of the major landmarks of the city. It has 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops selling everything from carpets to souvenirs.
- Istanbul is home to the world’s second-oldest subway
Istanbul has the second oldest subway in the world. Constructed in 1875, it is some 573 meters long and located in the Beyoglu district. Known as The Tünel, it was the first underground train in continental Europe. It is the world’s second-oldest underground urban rail line after the London Underground which was built in 1863.
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What to do in the city of Istanbul? (Other than the U17 World Cup 😉)
1. Go to Hagia Sophia Mosque
Tourists flock en masse to the Hagia Sophia for its stunning architecture, glorious interior views and historical significance. Built between 532 and 537, the building was a church for nearly a thousand years. It then served as a mosque from 1453 until 1935, before becoming a museum. In 2020, the building once again became a working mosque.
2. Shop at the Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar
Shop at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Both are located in the old town of Istanbul, near the Galata Bridge. The Spice Bazaar is a giant covered market with the majority of shops selling food. You can find the traditional Turkish delight and other Turkish delicacies here such as olives, figs, and pistachios.
3. Wander around Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is an architectural highlight in Istanbul. Home to the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, this palace was the heart of the vast Ottoman Empire. The palace has hundreds of rooms decorated with beautiful tiles, gold, and other decorations.
4. Relax at a Hamam
The Turkish bath, or hamam, is an important part of Turkish culture. It’s a type of steam bath and also a place of public bathing that was used primarily within the Ottoman Empire starting in the 16th century. The hamam promoted hygiene but was also a meeting place for people of every rank.
5. Drink Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is a style of coffee prepared in a cezve using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering. Join the queue at Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, where they have been serving coffee to locals for over 100 years.
