Where continents meet

Start with geography

A meeting of waterways

Istanbul's historic peninsula sits beside the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara. Its position between the Balkans and Anatolia helps explain its long strategic importance.

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Which strait sits beside the historic peninsula?

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UNESCO · Historic Areas of Istanbul

Source reviewed September 6, 2026. A short introduction, with more detail in the source.

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