Turkey is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. These two parts are separated by the Turkish Straits: the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles. Ankara is the capital, while Istanbul, the largest city, spans both continents. Turkey is bordered by eight countries and surrounded by three seas: the Mediterranean, the Aegean, and the Black Sea. The geography is dominated by a high central plateau and rugged mountain ranges, including the Pontic and Taurus mountains. Mount Ararat, in the east, is the highest peak and the legendary resting place of Noah's Ark. Turkey is seismically active due to the North Anatolian Fault. Its rich history includes the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, making it a major cultural and archaeological hub.