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Which Countries Border Turkey?

Bordering Countries to the East

The Caucasus Region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

The Caucasus region is a mountainous area located at the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and it is home to three countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

These three countries share borders with several neighboring states, including Iran to the south, Russia to the north, and Turkey to the west.

In terms of specifically bordering countries to the east, there are a few options depending on how one defines ‘east’.

However, if we consider the eastern edge of the Caucasus region as the boundary between Europe and Asia, then it would be fair to say that all three countries have eastern borders with Georgia and Russia is not strictly an eastern neighbor but rather a northern one for all three countries.

The majority of Armenia’s eastern border lies along the Aras River, which marks its border with Iran.

Azerbaijan’s east-west orientation makes it difficult to pinpoint a specific eastern border, as it has several international boundaries that span in different directions. However, if we focus on Azerbaijan’s north-south orientation, then its ‘eastern’ neighbor would be Iran, with their borders meeting at the Aras River.

Georgia’s eastern border is defined by the Greater Caucasus mountain range and includes a section along the international boundary with Russia to the north, but the majority of Georgia’s eastern border lies along the Rioni River and the Lesser Caucasus mountains where it meets Azerbaijan in the south-east.

So, while there are some variations depending on how one defines ‘east,’ all three countries have borders that meet with Iran to the south as part of their overall geographical orientation in relation to Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Armenia shares a 268 km border with Turkey’s Kars Province and Iğdır Province.

Turkey has a total land border length of approximately 2,640 kilometers and shares borders with eight countries.

The country’s eastern bordering countries are Armenia and Georgia. Here is more information about these two countries:

Armenia: Armenia shares a 268 km border with Turkey’s Kars Province and Iğdır Province. The Turkish-Armenian border has been closed since the Armenian independence movement in the late 1980s.

Georgia: Georgia shares an approximately 252 km border with Turkey, specifically with the provinces of Artvin, Ardahan, and Hakkâri. This border is also closed due to unresolved issues between the two countries.

These eastern borders play a significant role in international politics and have been affected by historical and recent tensions. However, there are ongoing diplomatic efforts to re-establish relationships and open these borders for economic and cultural exchanges.

Azerbaijan has an 17 kmlong border with Turkey in the northwest at İğdir Province.

Azerbaijan shares a significant portion of its border with several countries, but one notable aspect is its eastern border, where it touches Armenia and Georgia. In the northwest, Azerbaijan borders Turkey through İğdir Province.

At this point, there are a couple of facts that are worth mentioning regarding Azerbaijan’s international boundaries. Firstly, while Azerbaijan does share a long boundary with Russia to the north and northeast, in the context of its border with Turkey, we can focus specifically on the northwest where these two countries meet at İğdir Province.

The 17-kilometer-long Turkish-Azerbaijani border is significant due to its proximity and historical connections between the two nations. This particular section has been mentioned because it provides a specific example of how Azerbaijan interacts with its neighboring countries, especially in relation to Turkey in this case.

It’s worth noting that Turkey’s other international borders include those with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia (east), Armenia, and Iraq (southeast). However, the focus here is on the Turkish-Azerbaijani border.

From a broader perspective, the geography and political landscape of the region play critical roles in shaping international relationships between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and their other neighboring countries. These borders not only have implications for trade, security, and cultural exchange but also reflect the complex history and politics of this part of Eurasia.

In conclusion, while discussing Azerbaijan’s border with Turkey is one aspect of understanding its geographical position within the broader region, it highlights the interconnectedness of international boundaries and how each country interacts uniquely with its neighbors.

Georgia’s Ardahan and Artvin provinces are bordered by Turkey to the south.

Turkey has a complex geography that makes it share borders with eight countries, including Armenia to its east. In terms of Georgia’s Ardahan and Artvin provinces, they are indeed bordered by Turkey to their south.

The other seven countries that border Turkey include Bulgaria and Greece in the northwest, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran in the southeast. Turkey also shares a border with Iraq in the south, Syria in the southwest, and Cyprus in the southwest as well, although the line that separates it from Cyprus is sometimes considered to be the international maritime boundary.

It’s worth noting that the border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed since 1993 due to a long-standing dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is a frozen conflict area. Despite this, there have been ongoing efforts by both countries to normalize relations and potentially re-open the border in the future.

For Georgia’s Ardahan and Artvin provinces specifically, the fact that they share an international border with Turkey highlights the importance of regional cooperation and diplomacy between neighboring nations.

Bordering Countries to the West and North-West

The Balkans and Europe: Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and European part of Caucasus – Georgia is sometimes geographically included in this region.

The Balkan Peninsula and Western Europe are home to several countries that border Turkey, particularly in its western and northwestern regions. These countries include Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania.

Bulgaria shares a 240-kilometer (150 mi) long land border with Turkey, starting from the Black Sea coast and extending towards the east. This border was established during the Ottoman Empire era and has remained largely unchanged since then. The two countries have a strong cultural connection, with many Bulgarians having Turkish ancestry.

Greece shares a 206-kilometer (128 mi) long land border with Turkey in the north of its European territory, particularly in the regions of East Macedonia and Thrace. This border has been a source of tension between the two countries due to historical disputes over Cyprus and the status of the Greek minority in Turkey.

Romania shares a 605-kilometer (376 mi) long land border with Turkey’s northwestern region, particularly in the Danube River delta area. This border was established during the Roman era and has remained largely unchanged since then. The two countries have good relations and cooperate on issues such as trade and energy.

The Caucasus region is sometimes geographically included within Western Asia rather than Europe. However, from a cultural and geographical perspective, Georgia is often considered part of Eastern Europe. It shares an 312-kilometer (194 mi) long land border with Turkey in its northwestern region, particularly in the provinces of Artvin and Rize. This border has been relatively calm, although there have been tensions over issues such as trade and energy.

It’s worth noting that Georgia is not part of Europe from a geographical perspective but it shares cultural and historical ties with Eastern European countries and is often considered part of the broader European region in international relations.

Key Border Statistics:

  • Turkey-Bulgaria border: 240 km (150 mi)
  • Turkey-Greece border: 206 km (128 mi)
  • Turkey-Romania border: 605 km (376 mi)
  • Turkey-Georgia border: 312 km (194 mi)

Countries Bordering Turkey:

  1. Bulgaria
  2. Greece
  3. Romania
  4. Georgia

These countries share borders with Turkey’s western and northwestern regions, contributing to the rich cultural heritage and geopolitical diversity of the region.

Bulgaria’s Edirne Province borders Turkey’s easternmost province, Kırklareli.

Turkey shares its western and north-western border with Bulgaria. Specifically, the Edirne Province in northeastern Bulgaria borders the easternmost province of Turkey, Kırklareli.

Edirne Province is situated on the Turkish-Bulgarian border, creating a shared boundary between the two countries in this region.

The border with Bulgaria serves as part of Turkey’s western geographical limits, marking its proximity to European territories beyond the Black Sea.

This specific border region, where Edirne meets Kırklareli, holds strategic importance due to its historical and economic significance, connecting Central Europe through Eastern Thrace and Anatolia.

Greece shares the longest international border with Turkey at 192 km; most of it forms the Isthmus of Mount Othrys.

Turkey shares its longest international border with Greece to the west and north-west, spanning a total distance of 192 km.

The majority of this border forms the Isthmus of Mount Othrys.

Additionally, Turkey also borders Bulgaria to the north at a length of around 223 km.

The Bulgarian-Turkish border is relatively short and runs through the northern parts of Turkey’s European side.

In the northwest, Turkey also shares its border with Greece along the Isthmus of Mount Othrys, which separates Europe from Asia Minor.

This unique geographical feature creates a narrow strip of land that connects the two continents and forms part of the border between Greece and Turkey.

Other countries that share borders with Turkey include Georgia to the north-east and Armenia to the north.

Turkey’s northern borders are also shared with Azerbaijan and Iran in the east, while to the south it shares its border with Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Egypt in the Middle East.

Romania and Turkey meet near Rize City, Turkey.

The countries bordering Turkey to the west and northwest are a significant aspect of its geography, shaping its cultural exchange, trade, and politics.

On the western side, Turkey shares borders with several countries:

  • Bulgaria: The two countries have a border length of approximately 240 kilometers, with Bulgaria to the northeast. This shared border has contributed significantly to regional trade and economic development.

  • Greece: The longest land border of Turkey is with Greece, spanning around 268 kilometers. This shared border has been the site of several historical conflicts and disputes over territory, resources, and minority rights.

In the northwest, Romania and Turkey meet near Rize City, Turkey, in a relatively short border length of about 200 kilometers. Although this border is not as well-known or contentious as some other Turkish borders, it still plays an essential role in regional connectivity and cultural exchange.

Bordering Countries to the South

The Middle East: Syria and Iraq.

Turkey has a complex geography with eight neighboring countries located in various regions, including Europe and Asia. Among its bordering countries to the south are Syria and Iraq.

Syria, which is a sovereign state in Western Asia, is located on the eastern Mediterranean coast and shares a 899 km-long border with Turkey. The two nations have a long history of cultural exchange and shared traditions. However, their relations became strained after the Syrian Civil War began in 2011.

On the other hand, Iraq, another country in Western Asia, is situated on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Turkey for approximately 360 km. The relationship between these two nations has also been tense at times due to their diverse histories and conflicting interests, particularly during World War I when they were both under Ottoman rule.

While both Syria and Iraq have had complicated relationships with Turkey, diplomatic efforts continue to be made in order to establish peace and stability within the region. By understanding these dynamics between neighboring nations, it becomes clear that geopolitical interactions can often lead to both cooperation and conflict among countries sharing borders.

Syria shares a long and complex border with Turkey at 822 km.

Turkey’s southern borders are shared with several countries due to its unique geography and location in Western Asia and Southeastern Europe.

One of these neighboring countries is Syria, which shares a long and complex border of approximately 822 km. This border stretches through various regions including the Syrian Desert, making it one of Turkey’s longest international borders.

The other country sharing Turkey’s southern border is Iraq, with an estimated border length of around 352 km. This border passes through areas such as the mountainous terrain of southeastern Anatolia and parts of the Mesopotamian region.

An additional neighboring country in this region is Armenia, though it shares only a small part of its international border with Turkey (approximately 16 km). The majority of the Turkish-Armenian border remains closed due to historical disputes between the two nations.

The rest of Turkey’s southern border, about 375 km long, is shared with Georgia. This border traverses various landscapes including mountainous terrain, forests, and agricultural regions.

Turkey’s southeastern part borders Iraq at a length of 295 miles.

Turkey shares its southern border with several countries, including Syria and Iraq.

Its southeastern part borders **_Iraq_** at a length of 295 miles. This shared border spans across the provinces of Şırnak, Hakkâri, and Siirt in Turkey and Dohuk Governorate, Erbil Governorate, and Sulaymaniyah Governorate in Iraq.

The western portion of Turkey’s southern border is bounded by **_Syria_**, with a length of approximately 822 miles. This shared boundary runs through the provinces of Hatay, Adana, Mersin, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, and Diyarbakır in Turkey.

Turkey also shares its southern border with **_Cyprus_**, a self-governing island located in the eastern Mediterranean. The length of this shared boundary is around 150 miles, which spans across the province of Mersin in Turkey.

It’s worth noting that while these countries share borders with Turkey, there are also significant bodies of water surrounding the country, including the Aegean Sea to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

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Victoria Macpherson AOEC

Fact Checked by Victoria Macpherson AOEC

Victoria is a Career and Business coach with a background in recruitment and Investment Banking. She works with clients at career and life crossroads who want to look more deeply at where they are going. Whether you are going back to work after having children, changing career or looking to redress your work life balance she is there to support you to find the right path. She works with her clients to help them manage their business and personal life and to find clarity, focus and direction. Victoria will give you the opportunity and time to work out the balance you need in your life. Through using psychometrics, challenging your assumptions and working on your self beliefs and using in depth reflection and questioning Victoria will work with you to find what is the right next step for you. She walks with you in the process and you will come out with a clear vision on what stops you from moving forward and the changes you want to put in place. She also works with you to explore how you come across to others and how you can have greater impact. Victoria can help you bring about a positive change, whether this is how to approach people or situations differently, how to have greater impact, how to prioritise the different demands placed upon you or simply how to look after yourself better. By increasing one’s awareness of these unseen limiting patterns, we help remove blockages and create a shift in belief. This allows you to choose different and more productive ways of thinking, acting and living. Victoria’s successful coaching style and her insightful feedback helps her clients with: Managing Work Life Balance Career Path Guidance Leadership Skills Dealing with Change She is a qualified as a coach with the AOEC and is a trained facilitator in Hogan Psychometric testing. She has completed courses in Gestalt Therapy and Mindfulness and is trained in the Nancy Kline Time to Think process. Prior to being a coach she had a career in Investment Banking and set up a headhunting firm in the city.

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