Constantinople became the capital of the Roman Empire during the reign of Constantine the Great in 330. Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the late 5th century, Constantinople remained the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Latin Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. Following the Turkish War of Independence, the Turkish capital then moved to Ankara. Officially renamed Istanbul in 1930, the city is today the largest city in Europe, straddling the Bosporus strait and lying in both Europe and Asia, and the financial center of Turkey.
Location: Fatih and Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
Region: Marmara Region
Area: 6 km² (2.3 sq mi) enclosed within Constantinian Walls 14 km² (5.4 sq mi) enclosed within Theodosian Walls
Founded: 11 May 330
Type: Imperial city
Part of: Roman Empire · Byzantine Empire · Latin Empire · Ottoman Empire
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