The population of C. and its suburbs has been variously estimated. In 1873, it prob ably contained from'750,000 to 800,000 inhabitants, of whom about one half were Mohammedans, one fourth Greeks and Armenians, one eighth Franks, and one eighth Jews. Time mosques are more than 800 in number. There are several Greek churches, under a patriarch, with twelve synodal bishops. The patriarch is not only the spiritual, but in part also the temporal bead of the Greek subjects of the porte. C. is the resi dence also of an Armenian patriarch, and there are several Roman Catholic and Protes tant places of worship. There are in connection with the mosques about 300 medresses, or schools for the ulemas; there are also some 400 mekteb, or Turkish elementary schools; and among the other educational institutions is a school of medicine conducted by Ger mans, which has been the means of much rood. Among the benevolent institutions are numerous irnarets, where food is provided for the poor. and hospitals for the sick of several European nations. There are public libraries, both Turkish and Greek, of which that of the Seraglio is particularly rich in the treasures of oriental literature; and there are several Turkish and European printing-presses. The public baths and coffee houses are exceedingly numerous. Some of the peculiar manufactures of time east are carried on in leather, carpets, weapons, etc. But all the manufactures of western Europe abound in its markets. The trade of C. has, since the Crimean war, been
steadily increasing, but is by no means so extensive as might be expected from its popu latioi and situation. The burden of the vessels entering and of those clearing the port is estimated at about four millions of tons. The trade is chiefly in the hands of Greeks, Italians. Austrians, British, French, and Germans.
The rrent strategical value of the site of U. has always lent it a peculiar and political importance. Extensive fortifications at some distance on the landward side of C. were undertaken during the Russian war of 1877, and were carried out under the superintendence of •an English officer in the Turkish service. These lines extend from Buyuk-Tehekmedgi on the sea of Marmora to lake Derkos on the Black sea, a distance of about 20 miles. They run along a range of steep hills, from 200 to 500 ft. in height, looking down on a long and wide bare valley. Eight miles distant across the valley runs the parallel range of the Tehataldja hills, from 500 to 1500 ft, high.
C. is now connected by railway with the interior of northern Turkey, and the north western part of Asia Minor. The Ronnielian railway from Stamboul to Bellova was opened in 1873. and will ultimately be connected with the Sebumla-Varna line, and with that from Saloniki to L'skub. C. will thus soon have railway communication with a great part of Turkey.