Bursa is a big city in Turkey - the population is 2.5 million. In Bursa, one could argue, there is nothing that isn't there: The Maramara Sea is only 20 kilometers away (and hence Istanbul is not that far, either). Then there is Mount Olympus (the second one after the one in Greece), where the Greek Gods (used to) live - being 2,543 meters high - and rising virtually in the city center (only now it is mostly known by its Turkish name, Uludağ). It is an amazing feeling to be in this city, this bustling metropolis, and permanently, the mountain is in your sight. This fact transforms the large city of Bursa into an intriguing mixture of culture and nature. No wonder it is called "the Green City" - which is a nickname well deserved.
And there is so much that you can do in Bursa! On Mount Uludağ, there is a famous ski resort - but for those who prefer aquatic sports: The sea is never far, either! So, of course, Bursa is a tourist paradise - but then, at the same time, it is also a major business and industry site. First of all, it is home to Turkey's automotive industry: FIAT and Renault produce here - but so do Coca Cola and Pepsi Co and many others. All of this makes Bursa a truly international place, with a large, and growing, expat community. But history does also exist in Bursa: In fact, it used to be the capital of the Ottoman Empire before the Sultans moved it to Istanbul.
And then, Bursa is also a metropolis of culture. There are many museums to be found - with the Bursa Archaeology Museum being the most notable of them. Uludag University is located in Bursa - and this fact has a great impact on the city's cultural life. The student community has created a pulsating event life, that manages to be typically Turkish - and globalized at the same time.
