ASIA MINOR is the most western portion of the great continent of Asia, bounded by the Black Sea on the north, by the river Euphrates on the east, and on the west by the Mediterranean, the Sea of Marmora, and the Straits of the Hellespont and Bosphorus. It is of an irregularly oblong figure, about 1000 miles in length from east to west, and between 400 and 500 in breadth from north to south. The whole country is under the Turkish government; and it is divided into several provinces, of which Natolia and Caramania are the most important. The country is inhabited by Turkish Mahometans, and Christians of various sects and denominations. For other particulars see the preceding article. (F.)