Fireworks explode above the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul on Tuesday, October 29, during the anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic. On Tuesday, Turkey formally opened the world's first sea tunnel connecting two continents. The Marmaray <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F10%2F29%2Fbusiness%2Fmarmaray-tunnel-turkey-john-defterios%2F">links Istanbul's European and Asian sides</a> under the Bosphorus.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
Fireworks explode above the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul on Tuesday, October 29, during the anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic. On Tuesday, Turkey formally opened the world's first sea tunnel connecting two continents. The Marmaray links Istanbul's European and Asian sides under the Bosphorus.
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People travel from the Uskudar station to the Yenikapi station on the day of the tunnel's inauguration.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
People travel from the Uskudar station to the Yenikapi station on the day of the tunnel's inauguration.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, seated right, listens to a driver's explanations in the cabin of a Marmaray train Tuesday. Also in the cabin are Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, behind Gul in the green tie; Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mahmud, second from right; and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, far right.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, seated right, listens to a driver's explanations in the cabin of a Marmaray train Tuesday. Also in the cabin are Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, behind Gul in the green tie; Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mahmud, second from right; and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, far right.
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Erdogan enters the train's cabin along with other dignitaries. Erdogan said the underwater railway "connects history and future, past and the future, as well as connecting continents. Marmaray connects people, nations and countries."
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
Erdogan enters the train's cabin along with other dignitaries. Erdogan said the underwater railway "connects history and future, past and the future, as well as connecting continents. Marmaray connects people, nations and countries."
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
Gul enters the Marmaray station during the inauguration ceremony.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
Gul enters the Marmaray station during the inauguration ceremony.
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A Turkish train driver stands at a Marmaray station ahead of the inauguration ceremony. The Marmaray name combines the Sea of Marmara with "ray," which means rail in Turkish.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
A Turkish train driver stands at a Marmaray station ahead of the inauguration ceremony. The Marmaray name combines the Sea of Marmara with "ray," which means rail in Turkish.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
A worker stands next to escalators Monday at the Uskudar Marmaray station in Istanbul. The rail system is expected to have a capacity of 1.5 million people a day, connecting Europe and Asia in about four minutes.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
A worker stands next to escalators Monday at the Uskudar Marmaray station in Istanbul. The rail system is expected to have a capacity of 1.5 million people a day, connecting Europe and Asia in about four minutes.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
A driver inspects a train before the opening. The Marmaray project, part of the Turkish government's plan to expand the country's economy, cost $4.5 billion.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
A driver inspects a train before the opening. The Marmaray project, part of the Turkish government's plan to expand the country's economy, cost $4.5 billion.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
A man stands near the Bosphorus on Monday in Istanbul.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
A man stands near the Bosphorus on Monday in Istanbul.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
Employees work on the Marmaray tunnel April 18.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
Employees work on the Marmaray tunnel April 18.
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The Marmaray is being described as a vital link on the modern Silk Road, which will provide seamless rail transport from Turkey to China.
Turkish tunnel links Europe, Asia —
The Marmaray is being described as a vital link on the modern Silk Road, which will provide seamless rail transport from Turkey to China.
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