The empire that extended from the Middle East to parts of Northern Africa and parts of Europe was the Ottoman Empire. Founded in the late 13th century, the empire reached its zenith during the 16th and 17th centuries under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent. At its height, the Ottoman Empire encompassed vast territories, including modern-day Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and islands in the Mediterranean. The Ottoman Empire was a major political, cultural, and economic force, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia. Its decline in the 19th century marked significant geopolitical changes in the region.