MEDITERRANEAN PRISONERS VERSUS GUARDIANS OF NARROW PASSAGES: OTTOMANS’ GEOGRAPHY, MARITIME STRATEGIES AND THEIR RIVALS DURING THE AGE OF EXPLORATION

Öz

This article explores the decisive role of geography in shaping state power and foreign policy during the Age of Exploration, with a focus on the maritime strategies of the Ottoman Empire and Venice. Despite their dominance within the Mediterranean, both empires were geographically constrained, effectively becoming "Mediterranean prisoners" limited by Iberian control of strategic maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Gibraltar. In contrast, Portugal and Spain leveraged their advantageous Atlantic positions to control critical narrow passages, enabling them to spearhead global exploration and empire-building. By analyzing the geographic realities underpinning these contrasting trajectories, the study highlights how physical location not only structured political, economic, and military strategies but also fundamentally limited the Ottomans’ and Venetians’ ability to project power globally. The article underscores the enduring importance of geography as a persistent and foundational factor in international relations, shaping historical and contemporary geopolitical dynamics.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ottoman Empire
• Spain
• Portugal
• Venice
• Mediterranean
• Age of Exploration

Kaynakça

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