Changes

[[File:Saint Sophia Turkey.jpg|thumb|Hagia Sophia.]]

[[File:Saint Sophia Turkey.jpg|thumb|Hagia Sophia.]]

'''Istanbul''' historically known as '''Constantinople''' and '''Byzantium''' is the largest city in [[Turkey]] and amongst the largest of cities in the world, with a population nearing 13 million. For the most part, Istanbul is located in the European part of Turkey, Thrace, but extends into parts of Asia-Minor. While [[Ankara]] is the formal capital of Turkey, Istanbul is largely considered the cultural and financial capital of the nation. Since the Fourth century, Istanbul has been a major city, known by names such as Byzantium and Constantinople.

'''Istanbul''' ([[Turkish language|Turkish]]: İstanbul), historically known as '''Constantinople''' and '''Byzantium''', is the largest city in [[Turkey]] and amongst the largest of cities in the world, with a population nearing 13 million. For the most part, Istanbul is located in the European part of Turkey, Thrace, but extends into parts of Asia-Minor. While [[Ankara]] is the formal capital of Turkey, Istanbul is largely considered the cultural and financial capital of the nation. Since the Fourth century, Istanbul has been a major city, known by names such as Byzantium and Constantinople.

==Byzantine Era==

==Byzantine Era==