This city was originally Constantinople before the Turks invaded the Byzantine Empire, then it became the third capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1453. The Turks redesigned Istanbul and added Ottoman cultural aspects such as mosques, schools, and public baths. The city then became home to many people from all over the empire that practiced different relgions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Geographically, the city is located around a strait and is half in Europe and half in Asia. These characteristics made it a great trading center centuries ago. Since the founding of Turkey in 1923, the capital was moved out of Istanbul and to Ankara. Today the city's major religion is Islam.

Fun Fact: Istanbul is the only city in the world that has served as the capital for three Empires - The Roman, The Byzantine, and The Ottoman.