Byzantion, Constantinople, Istanbul...
Do we need to remind you that this city of about 12 million habitants, is the only one on the world to be spread over two continents (Europe and Asia) and is the biggest tourism attraction of Turkey ?
The former capital of three empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - is a fascinating mixture of past and present, old and new, modern and traditional. The museums, churches, palaces, mosques and bazaars and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible.
In addition to its unique historical and cultural background and innumerable attractions, modern hotels, exclusive restaurants, nightclubs and shops make Istanbul a superb venue for meetings, conferences and conventions.
Hence Istanbul is fast becoming one of the most popular international incentive destinations.
By the Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Turkey.

The Roman Empire Period
By 200 BC, it became difficult for the imperial capital Rome to rule over the vast empire reaching from Spain to Mesopotamia. A new administrative center was needed : Byzantion, which was situated on the crossroads of the trade routes, became Nea Roma. It assumed an important role in world politics and culture and new constructions were started : harbors, waterways, a hippodrome.
The city was renamed Constantinopolis after the Emperor Constantine took the throne (330 A.D.)
The Byzantine Empire
The Byzantines, whose capital was regarded as an extension of Rome, expressed more and more the desire to direct themselves toward the heritage of Greek antiquity. 
The cathedral Aya Sofya stood in all its splendor...
The most destructive blow hit the city during the Latin invasions who damaged the city.
Reconstruction was started in 1261 yet the city could not reach its former glory. Its population, formerly 500.000, had decreased to 50.000. Production diminished and people suffered of hunger. A 1000 year-old history was coming to an end and the city was preparing for rebirth.
The Ottoman Empire
In 1453, the Sultan Mehmet II conquered the city. On the ruins of the Byzantine foundations, the basic Ottoman institutions were build and some Byzantine constructions, such as waterways, were just repaired.
With the addition of the buildings of the architect Sinan, the city had again become the capital of a great empire. The arrival of people of different religions and colors, a cultural variety brought in by the richness of the city.
In the XIXth century, modernizations were undertaken and when Istanbul entered the XXth century, the city was worn out by its history as the capital of three great empires.

The Republican Era
After WWI, resistance movements in Istanbul and occupation by the Allied led to an Independence War to end with the creation of the Republic in 1923.
This led to much new construction such as family houses in the 1930's, reorganized road system, bridges to join Europe to Asia.
Today Istanbul is a world metropolis ever changing and developing in all its aspects : from the slums built over night to the huge shopping centers and giant industrial structures.