With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between
the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean,
Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and
artistic events for more than 2,000 years. Its masterpieces
include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century
Hagia Sophia and the 16th-century Süleymaniye Mosque, all now
under threat from population pressure, industrial pollution and
uncontrolled urbanization. Hagia Sophia interior © UNESCO / F.
Bandarin Outstanding Universal Value Strategically located on
the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the
Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul was successively the
capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire and
has been associated with major events in political history,
religious history and art history for more than 2,000 years. The
city is situated on a peninsula which is surrounded by the
Golden Horn (Haliç), a natural harbor on the north, the
Bosphorus on the east and the