Bosphorus Strait

The Bosphorus Strait, also known as the Istanbul Strait in Turkish, is a strait that lies between Europe and Asia. It is approximately 30 kilometers long, with the widest point being about 3,700 meters and the narrowest point about 700 meters. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the north and the Sea of Marmara to the south. Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is situated on either side of the Bosphorus Strait, facing the Anatolian Peninsula. It is the primary maritime gateway for Black Sea coastal countries and the only navigable route connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the Russian Black Sea Fleet must pass through the Bosphorus Strait to reach the Mediterranean. There are five transportation routes across the Bosphorus Strait: the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the Eurasia Tunnel (completed in 2016) for road traffic, and the Marmaray Tunnel for rail traffic. The famous strait, with its deep blue waters blending seamlessly with the sky, offers stunning scenery perfect for photography and travel. Highly recommended and not to be missed.