Istanbul Rally
History and natural beauty
The distinguishing features of the city of Istanbul are its geographic location, unique natural beauty, and the great historical and cultural heritage which has come to symbolize the city. The first foundations of today\'s Istanbul were laid down in the 7th century BC. lt was rebuilt and made the capital city (Constantinople) by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. Since then, for sixteen centuries the city has retained its position as the capital city of Eastern Rome, the Byzantine Empire, and Ottoman Empire. In addition to becoming one of the centers of Christianity under the reign of Emperor Constantine, Istanbul became the most important center in the Islamic world following the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Istanbul is now, leading city of Turkey by the means of economics, population and social life.