Bosporus
From Encyclopædia
{bahs'-pur-uhs} The Bosporus is a narrow, navigable strait between
Europe and
Asia connecting the BLACK SEA to the Sea of MARMARA, which in turn is connected by the
Dardanelles to the AEGEAN, part of the MEDITERRANEAN SEA. The
city of
Istanbul spreads out over both sides, with the larger section on the western bank. Since ancient times the strait, with a maximum width of 3.7 km (2.3 mi) and 30 km (19 mi) long, has been strategic for trade and military purposes. In 1453 the
Turks wrested
Control of the Bosporus from the BYZANTINE EMPIRE and have retained the strait despite
pressure from
Russia, which long sought to
Control the egress from the BLACK SEA.
