New Aquarium Opens in Istanbul Turkey

Turkey recently opened the doors to the country’s largest aquarium. Located on 100 acres in the Florya district of Istanbul, the Istanbul Aquarium features 15,000 land and sea creatures housed in thematic rooms designed to look like different regions of the world.

Visitors follow a geographical route through the 16 regions of the aquarium, beginning in the Black Sea and ending in the Pacific Ocean. Using cutting-edge technology to create realistic portrayals of each region including architectural details and climate, the aquarium ensures that the creatures on display are living in conditions nearest to that of their natural habitats. These elements, in combination with interactive games and 5D movie theaters featuring live effects such as wind, fog and water, guarantee an authentic experience for visitors. In addition, the aquarium provides 3 cafeterias, a gift shop and a restaurant with views of the ‘Panama Canal’ on one side and ocean views on the other.

Launched by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality with an investment of US$143 million, the Istanbul Aquarium is helping to improve and expand Istanbul’s already extensive list of museums and attractions for visitors and residents alike.

To learn more about the Istanbul Aquarium, visit

For more information on Turkey, call 1-877-FOR-TURKEY or contact the Turkish Culture and Tourist Offices in New York at 212-687-2194 or in Washington, D.C., at 202-612-6800, or Los Angeles at 323-937-8066 and visit their Web sites at www.tourismturkey.org or www.kulturturizm.gov.tr.

About Turkey

Turkey is a modern country with a captivating blend of antiquity and contemporary and of East and West. The cradle of civilization and center of world history today stands as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world. Turkey was the site of the first human settlement; the seat of the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman Empires; the birthplace of Homer and the last home of the Virgin Mary, just to name a few. Today Turkey, with its spectacular coastline, majestic mountains, cosmopolitan cities and quaint villages is one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.

via New Aquarium Opens in Istanbul Turkey | Travel Video News.