Fiba 2010 World Championship Istanbul Hotels
Area: 5.712 km²
Population: 10.018.735 (2000)
Traffic Code: 34
“The God and human, the nature and the art are together in there, they have created such a perfect place that is valuable to see.” Alphone de Lamartine’s famous poetic line reveals his love for Istanbul, describing the embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe.
İstanbul (historically also known as Byzantium and Constantinople) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city in the world with a population of 13.8 million people. It is also a mega city as well as being the cultural and financial centre of Turkey. In its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395 AD), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922).
The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 and chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. It is the only city in the world to straddle two continents and the only one to have been a capital during two consecutive empires – Christian and Islamic.
Istanbul’s variety is one of its greatest attractions. The ancient mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars reflect its diverse history. The thriving shopping area of Taksim buzzes with life and entertainment. The 19th century Çiçek Pasajı (which translates literally as ‘Flower Passage’) on İstiklal Avenue, consisting of many historic meyhanes, pubs and restaurants, was built back in 1876. The famous Nevizâde Street, with rows of historic meyhanes next to each other, is also in this area. Other historic pubs are to be found in the areas around Tünel Pasajı and the nearby Asmalımescit Sokağı. Some historic neighborhoods around İstiklal Avenue have recently been recreated, with varying degrees of success. For example, Cezayir Sokağı, situated near Galatasaray High School, became unofficially known as La Rue Françoise and has rows of francophone pubs, cafés and restaurants playing live music.
Istanbul is also famous for its historic seafood restaurants. The most popular seafood restaurants are generally found along the shores of the Bosphorus and by the Marmara Sea shore towards the south of the city. The largest of the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara (namely Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada) and Anadolu Kavağı near the northern entrance of the Bosporus towards the Black Sea also have many historic seafood restaurants. On top of all these meyhanes, pubs and restaurants, Istanbul has one of the most famous cuisines in the world with its traditional Ottoman features. The food served at hotels and restaurants is exceptionally unique and memorable for almost everyone who visits the city. Rakı, Sish Kebap and Turkish Delight are the biggest trademarks of Turkish foods with their worldwide reputations and are strongly recommended for visitors.
By Road
Not surprisingly, Istanbul is well connected to every part of Turkey. Buses are frequent and plentiful, and the main coach station (otogar) is at Esenler, on the European side.
There are countless private bus companies, all of whom have a ticket office at the station and the larger ones have offices dotted around town, especially in areas like Taksim, Sultanahmed and Besiktas.
Prices vary slightly regarding quality of the vehicle. There are also departures from Harem, on the Asian side. For journeys further afield, there buses to Greece, Macedonia, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria and Jordan.
Bus Station
Tel: (+90-212) 658 05 05, 658 10 10, 333 37 63, 310 63 63.
Within the city, public transport is a good way of getting around. There are minibuses, buses, taxis, trams (from Aksaray) a new subway (between Taskim and Levent) and a tiny electric tramcar (Beyog(lu to Taksim).
Bus Rail
Not as popular a mode of transport as buses, with a much smaller network, there are rail connections from Istanbul to Ankara, Izmir and Eastern Anatolian cities. Most of the services are slower than buses, although between the three main cities, there are the mavi tren, mototren or ekspress, which are fast and comfortable.
Reservations are essential for these journeys, and there are several classes of seats and sleepers. International services from Sirkeci (on the European side) and Haydarpasa (Asian side) stations include Vienna, Munich, Budapest, Salonica, (via Eskisehir, Konya, and Gaziantep), Aleppo, (via Tatvan and Van), Tehran, Moscow and Bucharest. Trains heading west leave from Sirkeci, and east from Haydarpasa station.
Sirkeci I.nformation
Tel: (+90-212) 527 0050/51
Reservations Tel: (+90-212) 520 6575
Haydarpasa I.nformation
Tel: (+90-216) 336 0475/2063.
Reservations Tel: (+90-216) 336 4470, 337 8724.
By Boat
Maritime Lines run both the urban and national transport. Marinas also have connections with European ports.
Urban Maritime Transportation runs ships which operate between the following destinations within Istanbul: Kadikoy – Haydarpasa – Karakoy; Eminonu – Uskudar; Eminonu – Kadikoy; Bridge – Yenikoy; Beykoz – Kavaklar; Sirkeci - Bostanci, Bridge – Prince’s Islands; Bridge – Yalova; Kabatas – Cinarcik; Bostanci - Cinarcik.
Boats operate from Istanbul to the following Black Sea towns: Zonguldak, Sinop, Samsun, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, as well as Izmir. Marmara Lines run to Marmara Island, Bandirma and Mudanya.
Useful contacts:
Port Tel : (+90-212) 245 53 66/249 71 78/249 18 96.
Address: TDY Maritime Lines Agency, Rihtim Cad. Kadikoy, Istanbul
Head Office Tel: (+90-212) 245 53 66/249 71 78/249 18 96.
Reservation Tel: (+90-212) 249 92 22/293 74 54
Information Tel: (+90-212) 244 25 02/244 02 07
By Air
Ataturk International Airport is 20 km from city centre. The new airport is the biggest in the country, with the most international flights. There are direct flights to every European capital, and many to Asia, USA and the Middle East.
The domestic terminal has flights to every domestic airport in the country, with several a day to major cities like Ankara and Izmir. Turkish Airlines (THY) is the national carrier.
Abdi Ipekci Arena
Name: Abdi Ipekci Spor Salonu
Address: 10. Yıl Caddesi, Kazlıçeşme / Istanbul
Year of construction: 1986
Capacity: 12’500
Games: Group B with Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Slovenia, Tunisia and USA
Located in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul, the Abdi Ipekci Arena, which is the oldest venue of the Championship, has a proven track record, having previously hosted many top level and international games, including the 2001 EuroBasket Final.
Named after murdered journalist and human rights activist Abdi Ipekci, this 12’500 seat arena has undergone a make-over that will ensure it is able to accommodate the massive interest and following of the USA, who will play their group games there.
The Abdi Ipekci Arena is home to Turkish National League sides Efes Pilsen, Fenerbahce Ulker, and Galatasaray, while it also hosted the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest and is frequently used for concerts and congresses.
Sinan Erdem Dome
Name: Sinan Erdem Dom
Address: Olimpiyat Evi Yani Atakoy / Istanbul
Year of construction: 2010 (1987)
Capacity: 15’500 (22’500)
Games: Eight Finals onwards
Once the group stages finish, all eyes will be on the newly completed Sinan Erdem Dom, which will be the venue for all remaining games. Ranked among the largest indoor arenas in Europe, the Sinan Erdem Dome, as it is known in Turkey, will provide the perfect setting as the latter stages of the Championship unfold.
This venue, which has plenty of “behind the scenes” working space is also ideally suited to welcome the large number of accredited persons covering the Championship, providing great working conditions for even the most demanding journalists and media representatives.
This gargantuan arena, named after the late Sinan Erdem, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey, will live on beyond the end of the 2010 FIBA World Championship, as it will begin to prepare for two more massive events of the world sports calendar, hosting the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships and the FINA Short Course Swimming Championships in 2012.
But rest assured that first someone has to be crowned the World Champion, and the Sinan Erdem Dom will provide the perfect setting for what promises to be a breathtaking knock-out round of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.