The '''Ottoman Empire''' was a multinational [[Sunni]] [[Muslim]] state which ruled much of the [[Middle East]] as well as parts of North Africa and the Balkans in Europe from 1299 until 1922. Its government, based in [[Istanbul]], was called "The Porte" or "The Sublime Porte". It was the predecessor of present-day [[Turkey]].
[[Image:Otexpand.jpg|thumb|590px]]
[[Image:Otexpand.jpg|thumb|590px]]
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The '''Ottoman Empire''' was a multinational [[Sunni]] [[Muslim]] state which ruled much of the [[Middle East]] as well as parts of [[North Africa]] and the [[Balkans]] in [[Europe]] from 1299 until 1922. Its government, based in [[Istanbul]], was called "The Porte" or "The Sublime Porte". It was the predecessor of present-day [[Turkiye]].