Country bordering Greece and Bulgaria on its European side, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria on its Asian side. The two sections are separated by the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, with the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south of the country. Prone to earthquakes in the northern portion of the Asian half, and had a big one somewhat recently. It's been in its current form since 1923; it is considered the successor to the Ottoman empire (which, however, covered a much bigger area). It has claimed part of the island of Cyprus.