The Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire

At its height, the Ottoman Empire controlled what is now Turkey and parts of northern Africa, southwestern Asia, and southeastern Europe. The empire began about 1300 and lasted until 1922. The Ottomans were nomadic Turkish tribes that migrated to the Middle East from central Asia. The term Ottoman comes from Osman, also called Othman, the founder and first sultan (ruler) of the empire. The Ottomans were Muslims and they spread their religion, Islam, throughout the empire.

The Ottoman Empire slowly declined during its last 300 years. When World War I began in 1914, the Ottoman Empire consisted of only Asia Minor, parts of southwestern Asia, and part of the Balkans. The Ottomans were defeated in the war, and the empire came to an end in 1922.

Excerpt adapted from the "Ottoman Empire" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999