Which city is geographically located on both Europe and Asia, making it the only city in the world to span two continents?

Which city is geographically located on both Europe and Asia, making it the only city in the world to span two continents?

• A. Athens
• B. Istanbul
• C. Moscow
• D. Cairo

Answer: (B)

Spanning two continents means a city sits on land that belongs to more than one continental region. Istanbul sits on both sides of the Bosporus Strait, which separates Europe from Asia and links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Because parts of the city lie in Europe and parts lie in Asia, with bridges and a rail tunnel connecting them, Istanbul is considered transcontinental. The other cities listed are located on a single continent: Athens is in Europe, Moscow lies in European Russia, and Cairo sits in Africa. This combination is what makes Istanbul unique as a city that spans two continents.

Spanning two continents means a city sits on land that belongs to more than one continental region. Istanbul sits on both sides of the Bosporus Strait, which separates Europe from Asia and links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Because parts of the city lie in Europe and parts lie in Asia, with bridges and a rail tunnel connecting them, Istanbul is considered transcontinental. The other cities listed are located on a single continent: Athens is in Europe, Moscow lies in European Russia, and Cairo sits in Africa. This combination is what makes Istanbul unique as a city that spans two continents.