Which city is described as commanding the Bosporous Strait and the land bridge to Europe?

Which city is described as commanding the Bosporous Strait and the land bridge to Europe?

• A. Istanbul, Turkey
• B. Mecca, Saudi Arabia
• C. Varanasi, India
• D. Damascus, Syria

Answer: (A)

Istanbul, Turkey. The Bosporus Strait is the narrow waterway that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and, via the Dardanelles, to the Mediterranean. This strait forms the boundary between Europe and Asia, so controlling it means controlling the main maritime gateway between continents. Istanbul sits right where the strait runs, effectively commanding passage between Asia and Europe for ships and trade. The other cities are located far from this critical chokepoint and do not control access between the two continents.

Istanbul, Turkey. The Bosporus Strait is the narrow waterway that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and, via the Dardanelles, to the Mediterranean. This strait forms the boundary between Europe and Asia, so controlling it means controlling the main maritime gateway between continents. Istanbul sits right where the strait runs, effectively commanding passage between Asia and Europe for ships and trade. The other cities are located far from this critical chokepoint and do not control access between the two continents.