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[68K]
The commercial center of the Turkish Republic, Istanbul is more than a historic city. Daily, a parade of tankers and cargo ships navigate the difficult waters of the Bosphorus. Trucks laden with fresh produce grown in the fertile Anatolian lands rumble through the city on their journey to foreign markets. Cries of traders in the stock exchange blend with the shouts of hawkers and street vendors.
Yet only a few kilometers out of the city's hustle and bustle, tranquil and fresh scented forests offer quiet relaxation while the wide beaches and dear waters of the adjoining seas provide infinite amusements.
Indeed it is Istanbul s variety that fascinates its visitors: The museums, churches, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows on the opposite shore you understand, suddenly and deeply, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At times such as these, you feel that Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.
