How Big Is Istanbul?
Turkey · Europe
Area
5,461 km²
2,109 mi²
Population
15.5M
Metro: 15.5M
Density
2,831/km²
Founded
660 BC
Istanbul Size Overview
Istanbul covers an area of 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) in Turkey, Europe. Largest city in Turkey. The city is often called "City on Two Continents". To put this in perspective, Istanbul is about 1.2x smaller than Shanghai. In more relatable units, that's about 765,000 American football fields, 92 times the area of Manhattan, or 52 times the area of Paris.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population. It is a city on two continents; about two-thirds of its population live in Europe and the rest in Asia.
With a population of 15.5 million (15.5 million in the metropolitan area), Istanbul has a population density of 2,831 people per km².
Istanbul has a history stretching back to around 660 BC. The city is renowned for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace.
Istanbul has a oceanic climate, with summer temperatures averaging 24°C and winters around 6°C. The city's main public transit system is the Istanbul Metro.
Did You Know?
- Istanbul is one of the only major cities to span two continents, with about two-thirds of its population living in Europe and the rest in Asia.
- Home to over 15 million residents, Istanbul houses 18% of Turkey's entire population in a single city.
Compare Istanbul with Other Cities
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Compare Istanbul with any city using our interactive map tool.
Cities Similar in Size to Istanbul
Istanbul covers 5,461 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Shanghai (6,341 km²), Perth (6,417 km²), Dubai (4,114 km²), Guangzhou (7,434 km²), or Karachi (3,527 km²).