Turkey shares its borders with eight countries, connecting it to both Europe and Asia. These borders are not just lines on a map; they tell stories of history, culture, and ongoing political importance. From the shortest border with Azerbaijan to the longest with Syria, each frontier has unique features that shape Turkey’s relations with its neighbors.
Below is a summary table of the countries that border Turkey, followed by detailed information about each one.
Flag This column shows the national flag of each bordering country. It helps visually identify the country at a glance.
Border Length (km) This column lists the length of Turkey’s borderline with each country in kilometers. Border length gives a sense of how extensive and significant the boundary is.
Continent This column indicates whether the border country lies in Europe or Asia. It highlights Turkey’s unique position as a country that bridges two continents.
countries that border turkey
| Country | Flag | Border Length (km) | Continent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 🇬🇷 | 203 | Europe |
| Bulgaria | 🇧🇬 | 269 | Europe |
| Georgia | 🇬🇪 | 273 | Asia |
| Armenia | 🇦🇲 | 311 | Asia |
| Iran | 🇮🇷 | 534 | Asia |
| Iraq | 🇮🇶 | 367 | Asia |
| Syria | 🇸🇾 | 911 | Asia |
| Azerbaijan | 🇦🇿 | 17 | Asia |
Descriptions
Greece
This border, mainly defined by the Evros/Meriç River, is a key frontier between Turkey and the European Union. Despite historical tensions, both nations are NATO allies, making this a strategically sensitive but vital connection point in Southeastern Europe.
Bulgaria
Also a gateway to the European Union, this border in Thrace has deep historical roots from the Ottoman era. Today, it is a crucial corridor for trade, transport, and tourism, connecting Turkey directly with the Balkans and the rest of Europe.
Georgia
Located in the Caucasus region, this mountainous border is a vital economic link for Turkey. It serves as a strategic corridor for energy pipelines and trade routes connecting Central Asia and the Caspian Sea to Europe through Turkey.
Armenia
Despite its length, the border between Turkey and Armenia has been completely closed since 1993. This sealed frontier is a stark symbol of the deep-seated political and historical disagreements between the two nations, awaiting diplomatic resolution for normalization.
Iran
This long and mountainous eastern frontier has historically separated the Turkish and Persian empires. Today, it remains a significant boundary between major regional powers, characterized by both extensive cross-border trade and complex security and political dynamics.
Iraq
This southeastern border, primarily with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is a critical economic lifeline for the region. It is also a major security focus for Turkey due to ongoing operations against militants who use the rugged mountains as a base.
Syria
Turkey’s longest and most volatile land border has been the epicenter of the Syrian Civil War’s fallout. It’s a highly militarized zone marked by refugee crises, cross-border conflict, and Turkish security operations, defining much of Turkey’s recent foreign policy.
Azerbaijan
Turkey’s shortest border is with the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan. This small but highly strategic link is a symbol of close cultural ties under the ‘one nation, two states’ motto, providing Turkey a direct connection to the Turkic world.
