As a geographical expert with a keen interest in the history and geography of the world, I often encounter questions about the "center" of the world. This is a fascinating topic that can be approached from various perspectives, including geographical, cultural, and historical viewpoints. The question of which country is at the center of the world is not just a matter of coordinates on a map but also a reflection of how we perceive the world and its significance.

### Geographical Center
From a purely geographical standpoint, the concept of a "center" can be quite elusive. The Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid, meaning it's slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This makes pinpointing an exact center challenging. However, if we were to consider the Earth as a perfect sphere and look for a geographical center, we would be looking at a point that is equidistant from all points on the Earth's surface. This would likely be somewhere in the oceans, as approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water.

### Land Mass Center
The reference to Ankara, Turkey, as the geographic center of land mass is an interesting one. This idea stems from the fact that Turkey is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a significant point of convergence for land routes. However, this is more of a symbolic center rather than a geographical one, as the actual geographic center of the Earth's landmass would be a point that is equidistant from all land areas, which is not necessarily in Turkey.

### Cultural and Historical Centers
When we shift our focus to cultural and historical significance, the concept of a "center" becomes more nuanced. The Fertile Crescent, stretching from the Tigris-Euphrates to the Nile, is often considered the cradle of civilization. This region, encompassing parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey, has been home to some of the earliest known human civilizations, including the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. The significance of these civilizations in shaping human history and culture could lead one to consider the Middle East or Egypt as a cultural center of the world.

### Political and Economic Centers
In more modern times, the concept of a "center" has shifted towards political and economic power. Countries like the United States, with its global influence and economic might, or China, with its rapidly growing economy and political clout, could be considered centers of the world in their own right.

### Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of which country is at the center of the world is subjective and depends on the criteria used to define "center." From a geographical perspective, there is no definitive answer. From a cultural and historical viewpoint, regions like the Fertile Crescent have a strong claim. In terms of political and economic influence, the answer might lie with the current global powers. Each perspective offers a unique insight into the complexity of our interconnected world.

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Since we are a land mammal, the geographic center of land mass on earth - near Ankara, Turkey - could make sense. The cradle of civilization, or the Fertile Crescent, which extends from the Tigris-Euphrates to the Nile, would lead one to a country in the Middle East or Egypt.read more >>