The narrow strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, separating Europe from Asia and forming part of Turkey's territory.
From Greek 'Bosporos,' literally 'ox passage' or 'cow strait,' from 'bous' (ox/cow) and 'poros' (passage). Named after the mythological cow Io, who swam across it during her transformation.
The Bosporus is one of history's most strategically important waterways—controlling it means controlling trade between continents, which is why Turkey has guarded it fiercely for centuries and why Russia keeps testing its limits.
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