Turkey is located in both Eastern Europe and Western Asia, bordering 8 countries. Its capital is Ankara, though Istanbul is the largest city. Turkey has a long history dating back thousands of years and was once home to many ancient civilizations. In the 11th century, Turkic peoples began migrating to Anatolia and established the Ottoman Empire. Today, Turkey is a secular republic with Turkish as its sole official language. The majority of Turkey's population is Muslim. Turkish culture is rich with diverse influences and traditions including music, dance, art, architecture, and cuisine. Sports and pastimes also remain an important part of Turkish cultural identity.