The only city in the world that spans two continents is Istanbul
Istanbul is divided by the Bosporus Strait, with the eastern shore belonging to Asia, known as the Asian side of Istanbul; while the western shore belongs to Europe, known as the European side of Istanbul.
"The entirety of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) revolves around the historic Old City in the Golden Horn Bay, extending westward along the flat southern coastline of the Sea of Marmara. Simultaneously, it stretches across the strait into the Asian side. The European side boasts a rich history and deep cultural heritage, with numerous historical buildings and world-renowned landmarks congregated in this area. The urban development in the European side has been rapid, and the entire city's population is nearly 16 million, with over 70% residing in the European side. This dominance positions the European side ahead in terms of public transportation, urban infrastructure, and economic development.
As an illustration, Istanbul has a total of 11 metro lines, with 8 located in the European side and 3 in the Asian side. Additionally, future metro lines under construction and in planning are primarily focused on the European side."
Europe is divided into three parts: eastern, central and western parts
Eastern Part:
The eastern part is primarily centered around Maslak, Golden Horn Bay, and Fatih, constituting the traditional old city area. Due to the private ownership and permanent property rights in Turkey, the old city area, developed for centuries, is challenging for unified government planning. This has led to a delay in the development of urban infrastructure. To preserve historical buildings and artifacts while respecting private property rights, the old city areas maintain a very primitive architectural appearance. The emerging Maslak business district, constrained by limited land resources, has prompted the government to extend the city's Central Business District (CBD) functions to a new CBD along the O-7 highway.
Central Part:
The central part extends along both sides of the O-7 highway, with the road acting as the axis. Stretching north along the O-7, it directly connects to Istanbul's new airport, making it the first stop for those entering the city from the airport. In the past, the central area was dominated by factories, industrial buildings, and farmland. The flat topography, mostly consisting of gently rolling hills, facilitates easy urban planning, and the infrastructure can keep pace with city planning, leading to rapid development and a newer urban appearance.
Western Part:
Situated in the flat hilly area between Lake Buyukcekmece and Lake Kucukcekmece, known as the Great and Small Lakes region, the western part is densely populated. Historically, it served as a hub for labor-intensive industries such as handicraft processing factories, attracting labor migrants from surrounding Turkish cities seeking employment in the metropolis. The area has been planned for future development as a high-end residential zone and a logistics distribution center. With the construction and opening of the new Istanbul Canal, the northern part of the region and the canal's banks are designated as logistics zones, while the southern part is planned for high-end residential areas and luxury estates.
The most densely populated area in all of Istanbul is Esenyurt, located in the Great and Small Lakes region. Esenyurt's geographical location is highly advantageous, situated near the Sea of Marmara, intersected by the E5 and E80 highways. The unique Metrobus public transportation system operates 24/7, ensuring timely and smooth travel with dedicated lanes. With a bus arriving every 30 seconds, coupled with various amenities, Esenyurt has become a crucial hub connecting the city center and other areas. It provides convenient commuting options, attracting more residents and commercial activities.
