Istanbul is one of the great historical cities of the world. The only city in the world located on two continents with the channel to the Bosphoros separating it between Asia and Europe. The Bosphorus runs north to the Black Sea and south to the Marmara Sea. Istanbul is located in the Marmara region of Turkey and is a major seaport city as well as an industrial trade centre. Manufacturing includes shipbuilding, glass, textiles, shoes and cement.
The city has three parts: the Old City, the New City and the Asiatic. The old town and new towns, encompass the greater part of the city, are located in Europe. The Asiatic side is connected to the European side by two bridges, the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. The Old City and the New City are separated by the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus. It is a natural channel seven km long and is connected by two bridges, the Galata Bridge and Ataturk Bridge.
Istanbul has both natural beauty and a rich historical heritage to be found mainly in the Old City.