Why didconstatinoples location influenced its growth and financial success?

Answer 1

Constantinople was on a promontory on the southern entrance of the Bosporus, a strait which separates Europe and Asia and which connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea (via a small sea in between the two called the Sea of Marmara). This placed Constantinople both on the land route between Europe and Asia and on the naval route between the Mediterranean and the Back Sea, giving her control over these two important routes. An inlet of the Bosporus on the city's northern shore (the Golden Horn) provided a very good harbour. It was this harbour which made the fortune of the city. Two ports were built in this inlet. Hence the strategic position.

The location on a promontory also made Constantinople easy to defend. The city was on a waterfront on thee of its sides, which made it difficult to attack them. Constantinople's location was also hilly, which made it easier to build strong fortifications to defend it on its land side.

The location of the city also had some disadvantages. The prevailing winds are north-easterly, and this often caused shipwrecks. Because of this two ports were built on the southern shore. One of these (the Harbour of Eleutherios later known as the Harbour of Theodosius) was discovered by archaeologists in 2004; 35 shipwrecks from the 7th to 10th centuries have also been found. Another disadvantage is that this area is often hit by earthquakes.