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Istanbul embraces two continents, one
arm reaching out to Asia, the other to
Europe. Through the city's heart, the
Bosphorus strait, courses the waters of
the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and
the Golden Horn. The former capital of
three successive empires - Roman,
Byzantine and Ottoman - today Istanbul
honors and preserves the legacy of its
past while looking forward to its modern
future. Indeed, it is Istanbul's variety
that fascinates its visitors. The
museums, churches, palaces, great
mosques, bazaars and sights of natural
beauty seem inexhaustible. As you
recline on the shores of the Bosphorus
at sunset, contemplating the red
twilight reflected in the windows on the
opposite shore, you understand, suddenly
and profoundly, why so many centuries
ago settlers chose to build on this
remarkable site. At times such as these,
you feel that Istanbul is truly one of
the most glorious cities in the world.
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