Istanbul - known in English as Constantinople; is Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and economic center. The city is the capital of the Province of Istanbul. It is located on the Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the  Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. Istanbul extends both on the European and on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. Istanbul is also the only city in the world which served as the capital to three different Empires: The Roman Empire (330-395), Byzantine Empire (395-1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1923). In 1923, following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the capital was moved to Ankara.

According to the 2005 census, the population is 11,322.000 (metro area), making it the second largest city and third largest metro area in Europe. One of the twenty largest metropolitan areas in the world. The city was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2010 (along with Pécs, Hungary and Essen, Germany).
The city has had many names through the years and according to the culture, language and religion of its inhabitants. Byzantium, Constantinople and Stamboul are examples that may still be found in active use. It has also been nicknamed "The City on Seven Hills" because the historic peninsula (the oldest part of the city) was built on seven hills, also represented with seven mosques, one at the top of each hill.

Istanbul encloses the southern Bosporus which puts the city on two continents – the western portion of Istanbul is in Europe, while the eastern portion is in Asia. The city boundaries cover a surface of 1,539 square kilometers. The Metropol region, or the province of Istanbul, has an area of 5,220 square kilometers

After so many decades of trying to become Western, Istanbul glories in the rediscovery of a modern identity. European or not, it is one of the coolest cities in the world. There is such richness, the city is still thickly atmospheric, with bazaars, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mansions pretty much everywhere.

One of the main entertainments of the Turkish population is 3-Cushion Billiards. The city is filled with billiard rooms and clubs that hold the largest number of billiard tables in one single city. In South Korea, Colombia and Mexico the sport is also very popular but Istanbul claims to be the first in the world in the 3-Cushion Billiards category. It is well known by the billiards connoisseurs that more than 10,000 players join the National competition each year.

The World Cup Association founded the World Cup Event in the early 90’s and the tournament has been played ever since. The UMB follows the tradition of the original World Cup founder and the tournament include players from all over Europe, Asia and America.

This year the tournament winner is Torbjorn Blomdahl from Sweden. Semih Sayginer and Tayfun Tasdemir from Turkey captured the second and third place. Previous winners include Blomdahl (1991-1995-1997-2005), Sang Lee (1993) and Dick Jaspers (1992 and 1994).