Originally Posted by
ToGo
The traditional divide between Europe and Asia at Istanbul goes along the Bosphorus, so the part of Istanbul to the west of the Bosphorus is certainly in Europe. Istanbul is generally considered a European city at least as much as an Asian one.
Turkey is not, at present, generally considered to be part of the MIddle East, and it's easy to see why - historically, politically and demographically it is quite distinct from the Middle East.