Çatalca Peninsula

The Çatalca Peninsula lies in the European section of Turkey (Thrace), extending from the southeast Balkans and separating the Black Sea from the Sea of Marmara on the western side of the strait of Bosphorus.

Approximately two thirds of Istanbul, one of the most populous cities of the world, occupy its eastern part.

During the reign of Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (491–518) a defense wall had been constructed between Evcik beach at the north and Silivri at the south to defend Constantinople from Huns and other attackers.

But even then such attackers as Avars (616), Bulgarians (813) and Pechenegs (1090) were able to lay siege to Constantinople.

The 25 European districts of Istanbul have a total population of more than 10 million (2022).