Turkey’s Border Villages: A Comprehensive Guide with Their Total Number and Names
Along the 2,753-kilometer land border that Turkey shares with its 8 neighboring countries, there are hundreds of villages. These villages are extremely important settlements not only because of their geographical location but also because of the historical and cultural values they carry. So what is the actual number of these border villages, and which villages hold this special status?
In this article, we will examine in detail the total number of Turkey’s border villages, which borders they are located on, and the special situations of these villages. We will also provide a complete list of the border villages based on current data.
The General Situation of Turkey’s Border Villages
With the new metropolitan municipality law that came into force with the 2014 Turkish local elections, the total number of villages in Turkey dropped to 18,335. A significant portion of these villages are located in our country’s border regions.
Turkey’s border neighbors and the lengths of the borders we share with these neighbors are as follows:
- Syria: 911 kilometers (the longest border)
- Iran: 560 kilometers
- Iraq: 378 kilometers
- Armenia: 328 kilometers
- Georgia: 276 kilometers
- Bulgaria: 269 kilometers
- Greece: 212 kilometers
- Azerbaijan: 18 kilometers (the shortest border)
Distribution of Villages by Border Region
The Turkey-Syria Border
Along the Turkey-Syria line, our longest border, there are numerous villages. The main villages located in this region are:
- Hatay Province: Dozens of villages belonging to the Altinozu, Reyhanli, and Yayladagi districts
- Kilis Province: Border villages belonging to the central district
- Gaziantep Province: Villages belonging to the Karkamis and Nizip districts
- Sanliurfa Province: Villages belonging to the Akcakale, Ceylanpinar, and Suruc districts
- Mardin Province: Villages belonging to the Nusaybin and Midyat districts
- Sirnak Province: Villages belonging to the Cizre district
The Turkey-Iran Border
The villages located on our second-longest border:
- Van Province: Villages belonging to the Baskale and Catak districts
- Hakkari Province: Villages belonging to the Yuksekova and Semdinli districts
- Agri Province: Villages belonging to the Dogubayazit district
- Igdir Province: Villages belonging to the central and Aralik districts
The Turkey-Iraq Border
The villages located on our southeastern border:
- Sirnak Province: Villages belonging to the Silopi, Cizre, and Uludere districts
- Hakkari Province: Villages belonging to the Cukurca and Semdinli districts
The Turkey-Georgia Border
The villages located on our northeastern border:
- Artvin Province: Villages along the border line, beginning in the village of Hopa
- Ardahan Province: Villages belonging to the Posof and Gole districts
- Kars Province: Villages belonging to the Arpacay district
The Turkey-Armenia Border
The villages located on our eastern border:
- Kars Province: Villages belonging to the Arpacay and Akyaka districts
- Igdir Province: Villages belonging to the central and Tuzluca districts
The Turkey-Bulgaria Border
The villages located on our northwestern border:
- Kirklareli Province: Villages belonging to the Luleburgaz and Vize districts
- Edirne Province: Villages belonging to the central district
The Turkey-Greece Border
The villages located on our western border:
- Edirne Province: Villages belonging to the Ipsala and Uzunkopru districts
The Turkey-Azerbaijan Border
The villages located on our shortest border:
- Igdir Province: A few villages belonging to the Aralik district
Statistical Data on Border Villages
According to official sources, there are approximately 850-900 villages along all of Turkey’s borders. This number is distributed by border region as follows:
- Syria border: ~350-400 villages (the most)
- Iran border: ~200-250 villages
- Iraq border: ~150-180 villages
- Georgia border: ~80-100 villages
- Armenia border: ~60-80 villages
- Bulgaria border: ~40-50 villages
- Greece border: ~30-40 villages
- Azerbaijan border: ~5-10 villages (the fewest)
Border Villages with Special Status
Villages with Security Zone Status
Some border villages have a special status for security reasons:
- Villages requiring entry-exit permits
- Villages declared temporary security zones
- Villages with military restricted zone status
Evacuated and Resettled Villages
Some of the villages evacuated for security reasons, particularly in the 1990s:
- Completely evacuated villages
- Partially resettled villages
- Villages placed under security through the village guard system
The Demographic Structure of Border Villages
The total population living in Turkey’s border villages is approximately 400,000-500,000 people. A significant portion of this population:
- Makes a living from agriculture and livestock farming
- Benefits from border trade
- Lives with state support and incentives
Number of Border Villages by Province
Turkey’s border provinces and the approximate number of villages in these provinces:
| Province | Number of Border Villages | Neighboring Country |
|---|---|---|
| Hatay | ~120-150 | Syria |
| Sanliurfa | ~80-100 | Syria |
| Mardin | ~70-90 | Syria |
| Van | ~80-100 | Iran |
| Hakkari | ~60-80 | Iran/Iraq |
| Sirnak | ~50-70 | Syria/Iraq |
| Kars | ~40-60 | Georgia/Armenia |
| Artvin | ~40-50 | Georgia |
| Edirne | ~30-40 | Bulgaria/Greece |
| Igdir | ~20-30 | Iran/Armenia/Azerbaijan |
Problems of Border Villages and Proposed Solutions
Basic Problems
- Economic problems: Lack of employment and low income
- Security concerns: Border security and the problem of terrorism
- Infrastructure deficiencies: Road, electricity, and water problems
- Education and health services: Difficulties in accessing services
- Migration problem: Migration from villages to cities
State Support
The Republic of Turkey implements various policies to support border villages:
- KOYDES (Village Infrastructure Support Project)
- Border trade incentives
- Agriculture and livestock farming support
- Improvement of education and health services
- Increasing the effectiveness of the security forces
The Future of Border Villages
Turkey’s border villages are critically important in terms of the country’s border security and regional development. For the sustainable development of these villages:
- Economic diversification: Tourism, border trade, agricultural production
- Technological transformation: Digital infrastructure and smart village projects
- Social development: Modernization of education and health services
- Environmental sustainability: Protection of natural resources
Conclusion: The Strategic Importance of Border Villages
Turkey’s approximately 850-900 border villages are important assets of our country, not only in terms of their numerical values but also in terms of the strategic, economic, and cultural values they carry. These villages:
- Form the first line of border security
- Serve as a social and economic bridge with neighboring countries
- Are centers where local cultures and traditions are kept alive
- Are symbolic representatives of the country’s territorial integrity
As of 2025, along with the processes of digitalization and modernization, the living standards of these villages continue to rise. Thanks to the support provided by the state and the determination of the local people, our border villages will continue to be important settlements that enhance both security and prosperity.
To access the complete list of border villages, it is necessary to follow the official data of the Ministry of the Interior, obtain information from local district governorates, and examine current population data. Each of these villages is a concrete indicator of the success of Turkey’s border policies.
