What is another word for istanbul?
Pronunciation: [ˌɪstˌanbˈʊl] (IPA) 
Istanbul is a city of significant historical and cultural importance, and thus it has many synonyms. Constantinople is one of the most well-known as it was the city's name from the Roman Imperium to the early Ottoman Empire. Byzantium is also used as it was the Greek name for the city before it became Constantinople. Istanbul is also referred to as the "City of Seven Hills," as it was built on seven hills, just like Rome. Another synonym is the "Gateway to the East" since Istanbul is a cultural and geographical bridge between Europe and Asia. Additionally, Istanbul is often called the "Pearl of the Bosphorus" because it is located on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Europe from Asia Minor.
