Ottoman Tripolitania: Map & History
Ottoman Tripolitania, also known as the Regency of Tripoli, was officially ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1551 to 1912.
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Ottoman Tripolitania, also known as the Regency of Tripoli, was officially ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1551 to 1912. It corresponded roughly to the northern parts of modern-day Libya in historic Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. It was initially established as an Ottoman province ruled by a pasha (governor) in Tripoli who was appointed from Constantinople, though in practice it was semi-autonomous due to the power of the local Janissaries. From 1711 to 1835, the Karamanli dynasty ruled the province as a de facto hereditary monarchy while remaining under nominal Ottoman suzerainty. In 1835, the Ottomans reestablished direct control over the region until its annexation by Italy in 1912.
Modern Countries Once Part of Ottoman Tripolitania
At its mapped extent, Ottoman Tripolitania covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Ottoman Tripolitania's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Ottoman Tripolitania in Depth
History
By the beginning of the 16th century the Libyan coast had minimal central authority and its harbours were havens for unchecked bands of pirates. The Spaniards occupied Tripoli in 1510, but they were more concerned with controlling the port than with the inconveniences of administering a colony. In 1530 the city, along with Malta and Gozo, was ceded by Charles I of Spain to the Knights of St John as compensation for their recent expulsion from the island of Rhodes at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Christian rule lasted then until 1551, when Tripoli was besieged and conquered by famed Ottoman admirals Sinan Pasha and Turgut Reis.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Ottoman Tripolitania (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Ottoman Tripolitania Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Ottoman Tripolitania appears, with the other states of the time.
Ottoman Tripolitania Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 894,458 km² in 1872 CE.
Ottoman Tripolitania: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ottoman Tripolitania exist?
Ottoman Tripolitania is dated to 1840 CE – 1911 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of Ottoman Tripolitania?
The capital of Ottoman Tripolitania was Tripoli.
How large was Ottoman Tripolitania at its peak?
At its peak in 1872 Ottoman Tripolitania covered about 894,458 km².
How did the map of Ottoman Tripolitania change over time?
Ottoman Tripolitania appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1850 CE to 1900 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
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Industrial Era • Capital: London
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Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Raigad