Bosporus

(Local Name: Bogaziçi) Strait between the Black Sea and the

Sea of Marmara

Length: 32km/20mi

Breadth; O.66-3.3km/720-3,600yds

Depth: 30-120m/100-395ft

Characteristics

Bosporus comes from a Tracian word of unknown origin, interpreted in Greek as meaning "Ford of the Cow", from the legend of Io, who swam across the sea here as a cow. Known in Turkish as Bogaziçi (the Strait), it links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and, with the Dardanelles, separates Europe from Asia. It is a former river valley (formerly Haliç valley; see Istanbul, Golden Horn) which was drowned by the sea at the end of the Tertiary period.

Scenery

With the shores rising to heights of up to 200m/650ft, lined with palaces, ruins, villages and gardens, this is one of the most beautiful stretches of scenery in Turkey.