Istanbul
Istanbul is Turkey's largest and most populated metropolis. Its population is over 16 million and the surface area of the city is 5,343 km². In addition to being a modern and developed city, it is an important center of culture, art, tourism and trade. As an intercontinental city, Istanbul, which connects the continents of Asia and Europe, has a very high geopolitical importance for this reason. The city, where the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara meet, has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, respectively. With the transfer of the capital to Ankara on 13 October 1923 with the Republican Period; continued to be the country's trade, industry, transportation, tourism, education, culture and art center. Within its borders, there are a total of 40 municipalities, including the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.