ISTANBUL

Istanbul historically also known as Constantinople and Byzantium, is the most populous city in turkey and the country's economic, cultural, and historic center.

Istanbul is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, straddling the Bosphorus strait between the sea of Marmara and the black sea. Its commercial and historical center lies on the European side and about a third of its population lives on the Asian side.

2010 European Capital of Culture

The european capital of culture (ECOC) is a city designated by the european union (EU) for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to show its cultural life and cultural development to the rest of the world. Being a cultural capital brings that city and its cultural infrastructure into a modern level, it becomes a cultural attraction destination for foreign visitors, enriches socio-economic development, and so on.

During 2010, many artists and cultural groups, both local and international, visited Istanbul at various stages for cultural showscases, events, displays, exhibitions, concerts, arts, etc.

A Knowledge Metropolis The main message behind this motto is “people of different religion,

language and culture can survive together in peace”. Istanbul is a regional hub for activities like finance, logistics,

tourism and culture for the Balkans, the Black Sea region, the Central Asian Turk republics, and the Middle East.

The leading role in this region focuses on three main economic fields: (1) finance and services; (2) logistics; and (3) tourism and culture. Istanbul especially during the last three decades has worked rigorously in establishing necessary capital systems to be integrated with the global knowledge economy.

Public Transportation Most of the transportation in Istanbul is based on buses,

minibuses, taxis and private automobiles, which creates a big pressure on the city traffic. Like in other big metropolitan cities of the world, the best solution of this problem would be the railway system which also helps to lower environmental pollution problems as well. In the last decade, many tramlines are built to lessen the traffic and also the subway is being extended somehow, but still new public transportation projects are essential.

Public Transportation

Marmaray Project is one of the biggest projects of the Turkish Ministry of Transportation designed to be an important solution for the public transportation in Istanbul

The second tunnel, called as Eurasia Tunnel, is under construction and this one will be for motor vehicles. It's planned to be completed by 2016.

The 3rd tunnel project is called as Great Istanbul Tunnel and will be a 3-levels tunnel for vehicles and subway.

Sea transportation Sea transportation is another important way of commuting in

Istanbul, since the city is divided on two continents. Besides private passenger boats, also local municipality boats carry passengers from one side to the other. There are regular passenger ferries and also fast ferries operating between the shores of the Bosphorus.

Mission and Vision

To promote innovation by providing the domains. Istanbul and ist as platforms to enable the individuals and enterprises worldwide to display their performances, to ensure that rich culture, history, social, and business life of the brand city Istanbul is embraced worldwide. Therefore: Istanbul is yours, be a part of it!