The seas and the lands have divided the lacework geography of Istanbul into four regions. Old Istanbul City and Galata in the shores of Golden Horn (Haliç) and previously different village now united residential districts are located along the straits of Bosphorus. As the smallest sea of the world, inhabited places along the shores of Marmara Sea shows the magnitude that the city has reached. The Old City is spread over the seven hills of the triangular peninsular surrounded by 22 km of city walls.

Having been in the center of Old World, Istanbul is an important megapole with its historical monuments and wonderful natural scenery. Established where Asian and European Continents were split with a narrow strait, built on two continents, it is the only city that the sea goes through. With its history of over 2500 years, Istanbul had become an important commerce center because of its establishment in this strategic location where land meets sea. Historical city of Istanbul is located on a peninsular, surrounded by Marmara Sea, Bosphorus Straits and Golden Horn.

CLIMATE

There is no definite climate type for the whole Istanbul Province. Because of its geographic location and physical geographic features, it carries different climate features than the ones in the same latitudes.

Being in the low-pressure and high-pressure zones which repeats twice in order, starting from equator on the earth, Istanbul (41 degree north latitude and 29 degree east longitude, Istanbul is in the borders of subtropical high pressure zone and cold-warm part of low-pressure zone; or terrestrial (dry) alize winds and west winds (humid and rainy) of sea. With the movement of earth, various climate conditions are experienced in winter and summer.

Throughout the year, three types of weather is dominant in Istanbul. One is coming from north and south and the other is more calm weather type. Weather types of east-west direction bound are insignificant. Among these three types of weather, highest frequency (most frequent blowing) one comes along when the northern winds are dominant. There are four phases according to the seasons; two transition phases of one short and one long with hot and cold periods.