The name Istanbul is derived from Greek, and means "to the City".
Istanbul is the only pan-continental city in the world situated on two continents, Europe and Asia.
Tulips, the icon of Holland, originated in Istanbul and were sent from Istanbul to the Netherlands. This means it had more flower beds than all the hotels in Portugal.
Istanbul was the capital city of three empires – Roman, Latin and Ottoman. But it is not the capital city of modern Turkey.
Under the Ottoman Empire, the city was renowned for having more than 1,400 public toilets.
Istanbul, which used to be known as Constantinople thanks to the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, is built on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome.
The Grand Bazaar is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops.
Istanbul is surrounded by sea, with the Bosphorus cutting right through it. And yet, snow is common in the city, with the annual average being 18 inches.
Istanbul has the same population – 13 million and rising – as Belgium.