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E c o n o m y
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 Throughout the ages, Istanbul has been a center of economic activity because of her geographical location at the meeting point of Asia and Europe, The Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The city serves as a junction between the land and sea trade routes: 36% of the total exports and 40% of the total imports of Turkey are made via Istanbul.
The city never played a dominant role in agricultural activities, yet it is the biggest consumer of agricultural goods in the country. Istanbul has always played a leading role in the industrial production sector which has developed most successfully and rapidly: 45% of the total production and the industrial workers are located in Istanbul. In this city where approximately 15% of the entire population of the country live, the ratio of the working people is higher than any other city in Turkey. Food processing, all branches of textile production, oil products, rubber, metal ware, leather, chemicals, electronics, glass, machinery, automobiles, paper and paper products, tobacco and alcoholic drinks are among the major industrial products. Half of the dominating 500 industrial enterprises of Turkey have their factories and business centers in Istanbul.
Along with the industry, the insurance and banking companies, major corporations in the city steer the nation's economic life.
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