Where am I?

Many of you guys have been following my pictures and have no doubt thought, Istanbul! what a beautiful city! But do you know where Istanbul is?!

Istanbul's location is perhaps its most important trait because it has been paramount in shaping the city's history (and thus arts, architecture, culture, etc). It is evident to any passerby that Istanbul's advantageous location and geography has made it into the city it is today.

Quick facts on Istanbul's geography:
- It is the only city to straddle 2 continents
- It borders the Bosphorous River and is the gate way between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Its southern tip runs along the Marmara Sea.
- The city itself is terribly hilly. I would dare say that its hillier than San Francisco

What are the implications?
- Its proximity to major bodies of water and it's role in connecting Europe and Asia has made it an important port city for trade and the center of two important military campaigns (Byzantine and Ottoman expansion).
- Its hills and surrounding bodies of water make it into an impossible city to conquer (also why it has been the Capital of two successive empires).


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