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The Bosphorus Strait, which separates Asia
and Europe while connecting the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea,
is 31,7 km long. The Asian cost of the Bosphorus is 35 km., and
the European cost is 55 km. in length.
The narrowest point of the Bosphorus, which
has an average depth of 50-120 m., is at the point of
Rumelihisan and is 660 _ m., and its the widest section is at
the point where it meets the Black Sea and is 3,4 km. In the
Bosphorus, there are strong currents on both directions with an
average spee3 of 3-4 km-'In'. The current flowing from the Black
Sea to the Marmara Sea is at the surface, and the counter
current is at 40 m. depth. |
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The reason is the difference in salinity and
elevation between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. In bad
weather conditions, the speed of the current can be to 8-9 km/hr.
The Bosphorus, which is vital for Romania,
Bulgaria, Ukraine and Russia to reach the Mediterranean, and
then the oceans, is an international waterline under control of
Turkey, as mentioned in the Montraux Treaty (1936).
The coastline provides different
opportunities to the citizens with several groves, tea gardens,
cafes, bars, and restaurants, that are especially popular and
crowded during the weekends and summer months.
The Bosphorus was formed due to the collapse
of a fold line during 4th geological age, and took its present
shape 7.500 years ago. Its name derivedJirorn mythology,, Zeus,
the god of the gods, transforms his lover Io into a cow in order
to protect her from huswife's jealousy. But, Hera discovers the
fact, and sends a fly to bother Io, and Io crosses this
waterline in order to get away from this fly. Thus, this
waterline is called 'the Cow (Bous) Gate (Phoros)'.
Throughout the history, the Bosphorus was an
insurmountable barrier in front of the armies which wanted to
cross over it from Asia to Europe or vice versa. The first
bridge on it was built in the 4th century BC with order of
Persian Emperor Darius, who was on a military expedition against
the Scythians. The army of Darius of 700.000 soldiers, built a
bridge by fastening the boats and raft with each other.
The Bosphorus, which contributed to the
development of Istanbul as a trade center after the development
of marine trade, was also evaluated highly in the Byzantine
period and the first summer palaces were built at the cost line
in this era. Some sections of the fortresses which were built in
this period have survived to our date. The Ottomans had
understood that it was necessary to control the Bosphorus in
order to conquerthe city, and therefore built Anadolu Fortress
and Rurneli Fortress before the conquest. After the conquest,
the Ottoman Emperors lived in those parts of the Bosphorus which
were closer to the city center.
With coming of steam ships to Istanbul, they
began to live in the summer palaces, entertainment gardens and
palaces which they ordered to be built at the distant shores.
Originally they were only fishing villages with no highway
connections with each other, but timber villas and waterside
residence chalets mushroomed since the sultans began to give
lands as gifts to the high ranking officials to award or silence
them. One of the turning points in the history of the Bosphorus
is the year 1973. In, 1973, first Bosphorus Bridge was opened,
and Asia and Europe was connected to each other for the first
time, the second connection was realized in 1988. Annually about
50.000 cargo ships, "super tankers, and big cruise ships travel
through the Bosphorus, which is accepted as one of the most
important, the busiest and the most dangerous waterlines in the
world. |
