Return to Article Sunni and Shia branches of Islam Distribution of Sunni and Shia branches of Islam. Ottoman Empire, 1683 Location of Ottoman Empire, 1683. 1803 Cedid Atlas 1803 Cedid Atlas, showing the area today known as Iraq divided between "Al Jazira" (pink), "Kurdistan" (blue), "Iraq" (green), and "Al Sham" (yellow) Ottoman and Persian Empires, circa 1912 Ottoman and Persian Empires, circa 1912 Safavid Persia Map of Safavid Persia. The Safavid Dynasty ruled the region from 1501-1736. Religious and Ethnic groups in Iraq Religious and Ethnic groups in Iraq. Map of Mesopotamia Map of Mesopotamia. Areas controlled by ISIL (Red) Areas controlled by ISIL (as of May, 4 2015). (Ivory) Countries in which ISIL has claimed to have presence or control. Return to top