The Bosporus is the strait separating European and Asian Istanbul.
The Bosporus, also called the Istanbul Strait, is a narrow waterway connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. It runs through Istanbul, making the Turkish city one of the few major cities that occupies two continents. The Asian and European shores are linked by several bridges and transport tunnels.
The strait is about 31 kilometres long, although its width varies considerably. It is one of the world’s busiest natural waterways and forms part of the maritime route from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean through the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea.
The Bosporus has been strategically important for thousands of years. Ancient Greek colonies, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire all sought control of it. The name is commonly translated from Greek as “ox passage,” though its ancient origin is linked to mythology.