Introduction
The Marmara Region marks the joining of Europe and Asia and is home to Istanbul, the only city in the world to span continental boundaries. The most developed region in Turkey, this is the land of the Grand bazaar, where all that is traditionally Turkish comes together in one loud frenetic collision of cultures, architectural influences and ethnicities.
This is the most visited region of Turkey, and one of the few places outside of northern Turkey which offers scenery that is more alpine than Mediterranean. Mount Uludag is one of the main peaks in Turkey and the most accessible, making it the skiing centre of the country. Sheltering at the foot of this mountain the beautiful Ottoman city of Bursa benefits from the crisp mountain air, and is one of the greenest cities in Turkey.
However, the most moving site in the region is the Gallipoli peninsula. The strategic coastal position of this region contributed to its involvement in one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, ingraining it forever in the pages of the history books and etching it out as a living monument to the fallen.
