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About this quote

What does it mean?
Istanbul's strategic location makes it a natural hub for a global empire.
In plain terms
Istanbul would be the best capital for the whole world.
What can you take from it?
Location defines strategic importance.

Where it applies

  • urban planning
  • geopolitics
  • historical analysis

Putting it to work

  • studying trade routes
  • planning capital cities
  • analyzing geopolitical hubs

Questions to consider

  • Does geography determine destiny?
  • What makes a good capital?

Another view

Political and cultural factors often outweigh geography in choosing capitals.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my god.

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  2. If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots.

    Permalink to quote #109
  3. If I always appear prepared, it is because before entering an undertaking, I have meditated long and have foreseen what might occur. It is not genius where rev…

    Permalink to quote #106

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