The Resume

(667 BC- )
Population (2007): 11,174,257
Formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople
Former capital of the Roman Empire (330-395), Byzantine Empire (395-1204,1261-1453), Latin Empire (1204-61) and Ottoman Empire (1453-1923)

Why Istanbul, Turkey might be annoying:

Half the city was burned down and 30,000 killed in the Nika Riots that broke out following chariot races (532 AD).
It was sacked during the 4th Crusade (1204).
It lost its role as capital of Turkey to Ankara (1923).
The Turkish postal authorities got the rest of the world to adopt Istanbul by refusing to deliver mail addressed to Constantinople (1930).
Because of a population boom and illegal construction, two thirds of the buildings are not up to standard.
Geo-Hazards International ranked it second on a list of world cities most vulnerable to earthquakes.

Why Istanbul, Turkey might not be annoying:

It is the only metropolis located on two continents.
After the Ottoman conquest, (1453), Sultan Mehmed II encouraged settlement by Moslems, Christians and Jews, creating a cosmopolitan society.
When the Jews were expelled from Spain (1492), 93,000 settled in Istanbul.
It is responsible for 55% of Turkey's trade and over 20% of its GNP.
Its historical districts were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List (1985).

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Alpha Cities
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 10]
• Cities
• Cities in Asia
• Cities in Europe
• Emporis' 100 Most Impressive Skylines [2006] (Ranked: 28)
• Emporis' 25 Most Impressive Skylines [2015] (Ranked: 22)
• Eurovision Song Contest Host Cities (Ranked: 2004)
• Holy Cities
• I Am Turkish
• I Caught on Fire
• Look at Me, I'm a Man in Shades
• Look at Me, I'm Dancing
• Look at Me, I'm on the Cover of Newsweek
• Look at My Magazine Cover
• Megacities - 10,000,000+ Residents (Ranked: 23)
• Mercer’s Quality of Living [2017] (Ranked: 133)
• Mercer's Most Expensive Cities to Live in [March 2007] (Ranked: 38)
• Mercer's Most Expensive Cities to Live in [March 2008] (Ranked: 23)
• Profiles 22251-22500 (Ranked: 22470)
• They Might Be Giants References
• Travel+Leisure's Top 10 Cities [2006] (Ranked: 8)
• Travel+Leisure's Top 10 Cities [2007] (Ranked: 8)
• Travel+Leisure's Top 10 Cities [2008] (Ranked: 9)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 18 Votes: 5.56% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 17 Votes: 35.29% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 14 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 96 Votes: 65.62% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 22 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 23 Votes: 52.17% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 176 Votes: 64.20% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 34 Votes: 61.76% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 45 Votes: 51.11% Annoying