Eli5 Why didn’t the Ottoman Empire expand more into Africa?

1.04K views

Eli5 Why didn’t the Ottoman Empire expand more into Africa?

In: 228

14 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Pre Industrial age (and even post industrial age) it is pretty much logistically impossible to cross deserts with large armies. The Ottoman took most of North Africa arable and livable land and the Nile River. These were the only areas with more or less permanent population and the ability to support agriculture. Everything else was across the Sahara.

You are viewing 1 out of 14 answers, click here to view all answers.