The primary role of the Ottoman Empire in world history was as a major political, cultural, and economic power that bridged Europe and Asia from the 14th to the early 20th century. Spanning three continents, the empire facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and military conquests, significantly influencing the regions it controlled. The Ottomans were known for their architectural achievements, including mosques and palaces, and for their legal reforms that shaped governance. Their diverse society included various ethnicities and religions, promoting a complex cultural landscape. The empire's eventual decline and dissolution after World War I had profound impacts on national boundaries and contemporary politics.