Istanbul is the only major city in the world that sits on two continents: Europe and Asia. The city is divided by the Bosphorus Strait, a narrow waterway that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The western half of Istanbul lies in Europe, while the eastern half is in Asia. This unique geographical position has made Istanbul a vital bridge for trade, culture, and power for over 2,500 years, serving as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Today, residents can travel between continents in minutes by bridge, tunnel, or ferry, experiencing a blend of Eastern and Western influences that is found nowhere else.