Marmaray facts for kids

Marmaray is a really important transport project in the city of Istanbul in Turkey. It's a special railway system that connects the European and Asian sides of the city. The most amazing part is a long tunnel that goes right under the Bosphorus Strait! This project makes it much easier for people to travel across Istanbul.

What is the Marmaray Project?

The Marmaray project is a modern commuter train system. It helps millions of people travel every day. Before Marmaray, crossing the Bosphorus often meant using bridges or ferries. Now, trains can quickly go from one continent to another. This saves a lot of time for commuters.

Connecting Continents: Europe and Asia

Istanbul is unique because it sits on two continents: Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus Strait divides the city. The Marmaray railway line connects these two sides directly. It's like a bridge, but underground! This connection is very important for daily life and business in Istanbul.

The Bosphorus Tunnel: An Engineering Marvel

The heart of the Marmaray project is its underwater tunnel. This tunnel goes deep beneath the Bosphorus Strait. Building it was a huge challenge for engineers. They had to make sure it was strong and safe. This part of the railway is designed to withstand earthquakes, which is very important in this region. The tunnel allows trains to pass smoothly under the water.

How Marmaray Helps Istanbul

Marmaray has changed how people move around Istanbul. It has reduced traffic on roads and bridges. This also helps to lower air pollution in the city. The trains are fast and efficient, making daily commutes much easier for students and workers. It's a big step forward for public transport in Turkey.

Images for kids

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  A Marmaray train at Bostancı station on the first day of operation of the Gebze–Halkalı line

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  A Marmaray train at Kazlıçeşme

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  Marmaray  train passing under the Bosphorus as depicted in tile in Sirkeci Station