Istanbul Province, Province in Turkey
Istanbul Province is an administrative unit in Turkey that covers both sides of the Bosporus, taking in dense urban districts as well as greener, more rural areas on the edges. It is made up of thirty-nine districts that range from the historic city center to forested hills and coastline farther out.
The region was reorganized as a modern administrative province after the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923, taking over from the Ottoman system that had governed it before. In 1984, a separate metropolitan municipality was created alongside the province to manage urban affairs more directly.
The Istiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district draws enormous crowds every day, with locals and visitors moving between cafes, bookshops, and old arcades. Nearby, churches, mosques, and synagogues stand close together, reflecting the layered history of the communities that have lived here.
Metro, tram, bus, and ferry lines connect the different districts, making it possible to reach most parts of the province with public transport. For the outlying areas and the islands, checking ferry times in advance is useful since frequency can vary depending on the season.
The Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara are part of the province and can only be reached by ferry from the city. Motorized vehicles are banned there, so horse-drawn carriages and bicycles remain the only way to get around once you arrive.
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