History
The first major civilization in Anatolia was that of the Hittites, about 1900 to 1200 BC, which originated in the central plateau. The Ottomans emerged in history as leaders of Turks who fought the Byzantines in northwestern Anatolia.
The Ottoman Empire reached its peak during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, and the social, administrative, and governmental institutions that had been evolving since the 14th century were formalized in a series of codes till the end of the century.
Culture
A transition from Islamic artistic traditions under the Ottoman Empire to a more secular, Western orientation has taken place in Turkey. Literature is considered the most advanced of contemporary Turkish arts.