Istanbul - John Cleave

Istanbul: City of Two Continents showcases both the historical as well as the modern aspects of Istanbul - a fascinating capital of two past empires and the largest city in modern Turkey. The illustrations, artistically rendered using digital techniques, feature famous landmarks together with the lesser known but equally evocative areas of modern Istanbul. The historic centre of Istanbul is an overwhelming record of Byzantine, Ottoman and republican history; of incomparable religious buildings, fine secular architecture, and bustling commerce. To the north, across the fabled Golden Horn, fashion centres, high-rise buildings and the latest in shopping malls cater to a thriving economy. To the east lies the Bosphorus. Lined with enchanting waterfront houses, palaces and castles, this bustling waterway joins the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and forms the boundary between Europe and Asia. On the Asian shore, which houses one-third of the city's population in ever-spreading suburbs, the historic co-mingles with fine stores, lively cafs and tranquil marinas.