I recently came across interesting statistics about the history of the Ottoman Empire and its influence on various regions. Honestly, the scale of conquests is astonishing.

Here is what I managed to gather. In Europe, Turkey held power the longest. Bulgaria was under control for over 500 years, North Macedonia for about 540 years, and Greece from 370 to 520 years depending on the region. Serbia was under Ottoman rule for nearly 420 years, Montenegro for about 400 years. Bosnia and Herzegovina for about 415 years. Even Albania experienced over 500 years of Ottoman rule.

Looking at the Caucasus, the situation was similar. Georgia, Dagestan, Kabardia—all these regions were under Ottoman Empire control for centuries. Armenia only 41 years, but that is still a significant period.

In the Middle East, the picture is quite different. Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon—all were under the empire’s rule for about 400 years. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait—also around 360-390 years. Yemen less, but still 146 years.

In Africa, the history of the Ottoman Empire also left a deep mark. Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan—each of these regions experienced centuries of influence. Egypt and Sudan about 365-397 years, Libya 382 years, Algeria 315 years.

Interestingly, in some places, this rule was very brief. For example, in Morocco only 20 years, in Kenya a few years, in Oman 8 years. But overall, the territorial reach of the Ottoman Empire is impressive—from Europe to Africa, from the Caucasus to the Middle East. That’s the history.