Turkey straddles this dividing line, the strait that runs down the middle of these two land masses, is called the Bosphorus strait, leading through to the Black Sea and Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine.
Indeed, Turkey's culture itself straddles both western culture or Christianity and eastern culture or Islam.
The western side, called Uskudar, is the heart of Istanbul on the other side, and off the coast, in the sea of Marmaris where the strait runs out, are the Adalar islands.
Turkey has been struggling to meet the requirements to join the European Union, for some time now, talks have broken down, and then have resumed. In relation to this east west divide, and the fact that, the majority of Europe are suspicious of this move to include Turkey.
Indeed, Turkey's culture itself straddles both western culture or Christianity and eastern culture or Islam.
The western side, called Uskudar, is the heart of Istanbul on the other side, and off the coast, in the sea of Marmaris where the strait runs out, are the Adalar islands.
Turkey has been struggling to meet the requirements to join the European Union, for some time now, talks have broken down, and then have resumed. In relation to this east west divide, and the fact that, the majority of Europe are suspicious of this move to include Turkey.