Why is it difficult to determine which countries belong to Europe and which belong to south west?

Determining which countries belong to Europe or Southwest Asia can be difficult due to differing definitions of these regions. Geographically, countries like Turkey and Cyprus straddle the boundary between Europe and Southwest Asia. Culturally, countries in the region may identify more with one region than the other, further complicating classification. Politics and historical factors also play a role in shaping perceptions of where certain countries belong.