Border town

A border town is a town or city close to the boundary between two countries, states, or regions. Usually the term implies that the nearness to the border is one of the things the place is most famous for. With close proximities to a different country, diverse cultural traditions can have certain influence to the place. Border towns can have highly cosmopolitan communities, a feature they share with port cities, as traveling and trading often go through the town. They can also be flashpoints for international conflicts, especially when the two countries have territorial disputes.

List of border towns and cities

Transcontinental

Asia/Africa

• El-Qantarah el-Sharqiyya, Egypt

Asia/Europe

• Istanbul, Turkey
• Atyrau, Kazakhstan
• Oral, Kazakhstan
• Magnitogorsk, Russia

In Africa

• Acoacán, Equatorial Guinea
• Adré, Chad
• Aflao, Ghana
• Afoji, Uganda
• Ahfir, Morocco
• Alexander Bay, South Africa
• Andéramboukane, Mali
• Ariamsvlei, Namibia
• Assamakka, Niger
• Badme, Eritrea
• Bahaï, Chad
• Bakel, Senegal
• Bambouti, Central African Republic and Source Yubu, South Sudan
• Bang, Central African Republic
• Bangassou, Central African Republic
• Bangui, Central African Republic and Zongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Bariguna, South Sudan
• Beitbridge, Zimbabwe
• Bémbéré, Central African Republic
• Benena, Mali
• Beni Ensar, Morocco
• Béni Ounif, Algeria and Figuig, Morocco
• Bétou, Republic of the Congo
• Blangoua, Cameroon
• Bokspits, Botswana
• Bolobo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Bomandjokou, Central African Republic
• Bomassa, Republic of the Congo
• Bongor, Chad
• Bosso, Niger
• Bray, South Africa and Bray, Botswana
• Bugarama, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cyangugu, Rwanda
• Bulok, Gambia
• Bunangana, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Buruntuma, Guinea Bissau
• Busia, Kenya and Busia, Uganda
• Ceuta, Spain and Belyounech, Morocco
• Chembe, Zambia
• Chicualacuala, Mozambique
• Cinkassé, Togo
• Cocobeach, Gabon
• Damasak, Nigeria
• Débété, Ivory Coast
• Dehiba, Tunisia and Wazzin, Libya
• Dhobley, Somalia
• Diboli, Mali and Kidira, Senegal
• Dolo and Dolow, Somalia
• Dongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dongou, Republic of the Congo
• Douar El Ma, Algeria
• Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea
• El Wak, Kenya
• Espungabera, Mozambique
• Ezo, South Sudan
• Farafenni, Gambia
• Faramana, Burkina Faso
• Ferfer, Ethiopia
• Ficksburg, South Africa and Maputsoe, Lesotho
• Fnideq, Morocco
• Gakhibane, Botswana
• Galdogob, Somalia
• Gamboru, Nigeria and Fotokol, Cameroon
• Gbéléban, Ivory Coast
• Ganta, Liberia
• Garoua-Boulaï, Cameroon and Cantonnier, Central African Republic
• Gaya, Niger and Malanville, Benin
• Gbiti, Cameroon and Banga-Boumbé, Central African Republic
• Geriley, Somalia
• Ghat, Libya
• Ghadames, Libya and Debdeb, Algeria
• Gogui, Mali
• Goli, Uganda
• Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gisenyi, Rwanda
• Hamile, Ghana
• Heddada, Algeria and Sakiet Sidi Youssef, Tunisia
• Holili, Tanzania and Taveta, Kenya
• Humera, Ethiopia
• Ilara-Ogudo Yewa, Nigeria
• Impfondo, Republic of the Congo
• In Amenas, Algeria
• In Guezzam, Algeria
• In Khalil, Mali
• Isebania, Tanzania and Isebania, Kenya
• Kaya, South Sudan
• Kaédi, Mauritania
• Kasane, Botswana
• Kasindi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mpondwe, Uganda
• Kasumbalesa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kasumbalesa, Zambia
• Katima Mulilo, Namibia and Sesheke, Zambia
• Katuna, Uganda, and Gatuna, Rwanda
• Kazungula, Zambia
• Kemerida, Togo and Ouaké, Benin
• Kinshasa/Brazzaville (Democratic Republic of the Congo/Republic of the Congo)
• Kipushi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Koboko, Uganda
• Kolonkwane, Botswana
• Kontcha, Cameroon
• Kouango, Central African Republic
• Kulungugu, Ghana
• Kurmuk, Sudan
• Kwamouth, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Labbézanga, Mali
• Libenge, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Lobatse, Botswana
• Lomé, Togo
• Loyada, Djibouti
• Luangwa, Zambia
• Lukolela, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Lwakhakha and Lwakhakha, Kenya
• Machipanda, Mozambique and Mutare, Zimbabwe
• Madina Woula, Guinea
• Mahamba, Eswatini
• Mahou, Mali
• Maigatari, Nigeria
• Makopong, Botswana
• Malaba, Kenya and Malaba, Uganda
• Manankoro, Mali
• Mandera, Kenya and Beled Hawo, Somalia
• Mani, Chad
• Marka, Malawi
• Markounda, Central African Republic
• Maseru, Lesotho
• Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Matam, Senegal
• Mbinda, Republic of Congo
• Melilla, Spain
• Metemma, Ethiopia
• Middlepits, Botswana
• Mobaye, Central African Republic and Mobayi-Mbongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Mokambo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Moloundou, Cameroon
• Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea
• Mongoumba, Central African Republic
• Mossaka, Republic of the Congo
• Moyale, Ethiopia
• Moyenne-Sido, Central African Republic
• Mwandi, Zambia
• Namanga, Tanzania and Kenya
• Nayé, Senegal
• N'Djamena, Chad and Kousseri, Cameroon
• Ngaoui, Cameroon
• Nimule, South Sudan and Elegu, Uganda
• Nongoa, Guinea
• Nouadhibou, Mauritania
• Nsanje, Malawi
• Nyamapanda, Zimbabwe
• Onseepkans, South Africa
• Oraba, Uganda
• Ouango, Central African Republic
• Ouésso, Republic of the Congo
• Oujda, Morocco
• Qacha's Nek, Lesotho
• Paga, Ghana
• Phepheng, Botswana
• Pweto, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ras Ajdir, Libya
• Rietfontein, South Africa
• Río Campo, Equatorial Guinea
• Rosso, Mauritania
• Rundu, Namibia
• Rusumo, Rwanda
• Saïdia, Morocco and Marsa Ben M'Hidi, Algeria
• Sallum, Egypt
• São Domingos, Guinea Bissau
• Shangombo, Zambia
• Sokoro, Ivory Coast
• Struizendam, Botswana
• Suam, Uganda
• Taleb Larbi, Algeria
• Tansila, Burkina Faso and Boura, Mali
• Tin Zaouatine, Algeria
• Tissi, Central African Republic
• Togo Wuchale, Ethiopia
• Tunduma, Tanzania and Nakonde, Zambia
• Um Dafuq, Sudan and Am Dafok, Central African Republic
• Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia
• Vioolsdrif, South Africa and Noordoewer, Namibia
• Walvis Bay, Namibia (until 1994)
• Werda, Botswana
• Yakoma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Yekepa, Liberia
• Yumbi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Zégoua, Mali
• Zemio, Central African Republic

In the Americas

In Central America

• Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize (Belize/Guatemala)
• Chetumal (Mexico/Belize)
• Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas and Ciudad Tecun Uman (Mexico/Guatemala)
• Corozal Town, Belize (Belize/Mexico)
• Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala (Belize/Guatemala)

In North America

United States/Canada

Within Canada

• Lloydminster, a single municipality on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border
• Flin Flon, Manitoba, Creighton, Saskatchewan, and Flin Flon, Saskatchewan
• Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec

United States/Mexico

Within the United States

In South America

• Alberdi, Paraguay and Formosa, Argentina
• Artigas, Uruguay and Quaraí, Brazil
• Assis Brasil, Brazil; Bolpebra, Bolivia; and Iñapari, Peru
• Barra do Quaraí, Brazil; Bella Unión, Uruguay; and Monte Caseros, Argentina
• Brasiléia/Epitaciolândia, Brazil and Cobija, Bolivia
• Corumbá, Brazil and Puerto Suárez, Bolivia
• Chuí, Brazil and Chuy, Uruguay
• Colón, Argentina and Paysandú, Uruguay
• Concordia, Argentina and Salto, Uruguay
• Cúcuta, Colombia and San Antonio del Táchira, Venezuela
• Desaguadero, Bolivia and Peru
• Fray Bentos, Uruguay and Gualeguaychú, Argentina
• La Quiaca, Argentina and Villazón, Bolivia
• Pacaraima, Brazil and Santa Elena de Uairén, Venezuela
• Jaguarão, Brazil and Río Branco, Uruguay
• Paso de los Libres, Argentina and Uruguaiana, Brazil
• Ponta Porã, Brazil and Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay
• Posadas, Argentina and Encarnación, Paraguay
• Puerto Iguazú, Argentina; Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; and Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
• Santana do Livramento, Brazil and Rivera, Uruguay
• Santo Tomé, Argentina and São Borja, Brazil
• Tabatinga, Brazil and Leticia, Colombia
• Tulcán, Ecuador and Ipiales, Colombia
• Yacuíba, Bolivia and Salvador Mazza, Argentina

Within Colombia

• Soacha, Cundinamarca and Bogotá
• Yondó, Antioquía and Barrancabermeja, Santander
• Puerto Triunfo, Antioquía and Puerto Boyacá, Boyacá and
• Cartago, Valle del Cauca and Puerto Caldas, Pereira, Risaralda
• Palermo Sitionuevo, Magdalena and Barranquilla, Atlántico
• Girardot and Ricaurte, Cundinamarca with Flandes, Tolima
• Puerto Salgar, Cundinamarca and La Dorada, Caldas
• Barbosa, Santander and Moniquirá, Boyacá
• Puerto Bogotá, Cundinamarca and Honda, Tolima

In Asia

Afghanistan/Iran

• Islam Qala/Taybad
• Zaranj/Zehak

Afghanistan/Pakistan

• Spin Boldak/Chaman
• Torkham/Torkham

Afghanistan/Turkmenistan

• Torghundi/Serhetabat

Afghanistan/Uzbekistan

• Hairatan/Termez

Azerbaijan/Iran

• Astara/Astara
• Julfa/Jolfa

Bhutan/India

• Phuntsholing/Jaigaon

Brunei/Malaysia

• Tutong/Limbang
• Temburong District/Lawas
• Temburong District/Limbang
• Kuala Belait/Miri

China

China/Hong Kong SAR

• Shenzhen/Lo Wu/Heung Yuen Wai

China/Kazakhstan

• Alashankou/Dostyk
• Khorgas/Korgas

China/Laos

• Mohan/Muang Namo

China/Macau SAR

• Gongbei/Portas do Cerco
• Hengqin/Cotai

China/Mongolia

• Erenhot/Zamyn-Üüd

China/Myanmar

• Ruili/Muse

China/Nepal

• Zhangmu/Tatopani, Sindhupalchok
• Gyirong Town/Timure

China/North Korea

• Changbai/Hyesan
• Dandong/Sinuiju
• Ji'an, Jilin/Manpo

China/Russia

• Heihe/Blagoveshchensk
• Manzhouli/Zabaykalsk
• Suifenhe/Pogranichny
• Yanji/Khasan
• Raohe/Bikin

China/Taiwan

• Xiamen/Kinmen
• Lianjiang/Lienchiang

China/Vietnam

• Dongxing/Mong Cai
• Hekou/Lao Cai
• Youyiguan/Lang Son

Cyprus/Northern Cyprus

• Lefkosia/Lefkoşa

(Note: the Republic of Northern Cyprus is a de facto state with almost no international recognition, with Turkey being the only UN member state to recognize its sovereignty.)

Egypt/Gaza

• Rafah, Egypt/Rafah

(Note: Gaza forms part of the State of Palestine, a state with substantial, but not general, international recognition.)

India

India/Bangladesh

• Petrapole-Benapole
• Karimganj–Beanibazar Upazila
• Malda–Rajshahi
• West Garo Hills–Bakshiganj
• Tura–Nalitabari Upazila
• Shillong–Sylhet
• Agartala–Dhaka
• Santirbazar–Feni

India/Myanmar

• Moreh, India/Tamu, Myanmar

India/Nepal

• Panitanki/Kakarbhitta
• Jogbani/Biratnagar
• Raxaul/Birgunj
• Nautanwa/Siddharthanagar
• Rupaidiha/Nepalgunj
• Banbasa/Bhimdatta

India/Pakistan

• Amritsar
• Ferozepur
• Fazilka
• Lahore

Indonesia/Malaysia

• Entikong, Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan/Tebedu, Serian, Sarawak

Iran/Iraq

• Mandali
• Halabja
• Al-Faw
• Abu Al-Khaseeb
• Abadan
• Penjwin
• Khanaqin

Iraq/Turkey

• Zakho
• Dohuk

Iran/Turkmenistan

• Sarakhs/Serakhs

Iraq/Syria

• Al-Qa'im/Al-Bukamal
• Rabia/Al-Yaarubiyah
• Al-Khalidiyah/Faysh Khabur

Israel/Egypt

• Eilat/Taba

Israel/Jordan

• Eilat/Aqaba

Laos/Thailand

• Ban Dongphosy/Nong Khai
• Vientiane/Udon Thani

Malaysia/Singapore

• Johor Bahru/Woodlands
• Tanjung Kupang/Tuas

Malaysia/Thailand

• Bukit Kayu Hitam/Sadao
• Padang Besar, Perlis/Padang Besar, Songkhla
• Pengkalan Hulu/Betong
• Pengkalan Kubur/Tak Bai
• Rantau Panjang/Sungai Golok
• Wang Kelian/Wang Prachan, Satun

Mongolia/Russia

• Altanbulag/Kyakhta

Myanmar/Thailand

• Myawaddy/Mae Sot
• Tachilek/Mae Sai

Turkey/Syria

• Nusaybin/Qamishli
• Şenyurt/Al-Darbasiyah
• Ceylanpınar/Ras al-Ayn
• Akçakale/Tell Abyad
• Mürşitpınar/Kobanî
• Karkamış/Jarabulus

In Europe

Alps and France/Germany

• Geneva (Switzerland/France)
• Mulhouse (France/Germany)
• Saarbrücken, Germany (France/Germany)
• Saint Louis/Weil am Rhein/Basel (France/Germany/Switzerland)
• Strasbourg/Kehl (France/Germany)
• Como/Chiasso (Italy/Switzerland)
• Gorizia/Nova Gorica (Italy/Slovenia)
• Konstanz/Kreuzlingen (Germany/Switzerland)

Baltic states

• Ainaži (Latvia/Estonia)
• Narva, Estonia/Ivangorod, Russia
• Valga, Estonia/Valka, Latvia
• Panemunė, Lithuania/Sovetsk, Russia

Caucasus

• Tsandryphsh/Vesyoloye (Georgia/Russia)
• Sarpi/Sarp (Georgia/Turkey)

Central Europe

• East Berlin/West Berlin (East Germany/West Germany, 1949–1990)
• Bratislava, Slovakia (borders both Austria and Hungary)
• Brest, Belarus/Terespol (Belarus/Poland)
• Chop/Záhony/Čierna nad Tisou (Ukraine/Hungary/Slovakia)
• Cieszyn/Český Těšín (Poland/Czech Republic)
• Esztergom/Štúrovo (Hungary/Slovakia)
• Forst/Zasieki (Germany/Poland)
• Frankfurt (Oder)/Słubice (Germany/Poland)
• Gmünd/České Velenice (Austria/Czech Republic)
• Görlitz/Zgorzelec (Germany/Poland)
• Guben/Gubin (Germany/Poland)
• Hodonín/Holíč (Czech Republic/Slovakia)
• Komárom/Komárno (Hungary/Slovakia)
• Küstrin-Kietz/Kostrzyn nad Odrą (Germany/Poland)
• Passau (Germany/Austria)
• Prudnik (Poland/Czech Republic)
• Sátoraljaújhely/Slovenské Nové Mesto (Hungary/Slovakia)
• Vyšné Nemecké/Uzhhorod (Slovakia/Ukraine)

Iberian Peninsula

• Gibraltar / La Línea de la Concepción (United Kingdom / Spain)

France / Spain

• Bourg-Madame / Puigcerdà
• Hendaye / Irún
• Le Perthus / Els Límits

Portugal / Spain

• Elvas / Badajoz
• Valença do Minho / Tui

Ireland/United Kingdom

• Derry (Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland)
• Dundalk (Republic of Ireland/Northern Ireland)
• Newry (Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland)
• Strabane (Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland)

Within the United Kingdom

England/Scotland

• Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Carlisle
• Coldstream
• Eyemouth
• Gretna
• Longtown

England/Wales

• Bishop's Castle
• Chepstow
• Chester
• Chirk
• Hay-on-Wye
• Kington
• Knighton
• Monmouth
• Montgomery
• Oswestry
• Presteigne
• Saltney
• Whitchurch
• Wrexham

Low countries/Germany

Romania/Bulgaria

• Giurgiu, Romania/Ruse, Bulgaria
• Călărași, Romania/Silistra, Bulgaria
• Calafat, Romania/Vidin, Bulgaria

Nordic countries

• Halden, Norway/Strömstad, Sweden
• Copenhagen, Denmark/Malmö, Sweden
• Padborg, Denmark/Flensburg, Germany
• Tornio, Finland/Haparanda, Sweden
• Imatra, Finland/Svetogorsk, Russia
• Karesuando, Sweden/Karesuvanto, Finland

Southern Europe

• Beausoleil, France/Monaco, Monaco
• Gorizia, Italy/Nova Gorica, Slovenia
• Lavena Ponte Tresa, Italy/Ponte Tresa, Switzerland
• Menton, France/Ventimiglia, Italy
• Rimini, Italy/Serravalle, San Marino
• Rome, Italy/Vatican City, Vatican
• Trieste (Italy/Slovenia)
• Koper (Slovenia/Italy)
• Slavonski Brod, Croatia/Brod, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Županja, Croatia/Orašje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Mali Zvornik, Serbia/Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Oceania

Australia within

• Albury, New South Wales and Wodonga, Victoria
• Bordertown, South Australia
• Canberra, Australian Capital Territory and Queanbeyan, New South Wales
• Corowa, New South Wales and Wahgunyah, Victoria
• Echuca, Victoria and Moama, New South Wales
• Mildura, Victoria
• Mulwala, New South Wales and Yarrawonga, Victoria
• Tweed Heads, New South Wales and Gold Coast, Queensland
• Mungindi, New South Wales and Queensland
• Wallangarra, Queensland and Jennings, New South Wales

Indonesia/Papua New Guinea

• Jayapura, Papua (province), Indonesia
• Vanimo, Papua New Guinea

See also

• Border towns in the United States with portmanteau names
• Cross-border town naming
• Divided cities
• Transborder agglomeration
• List of seaports
• List of Mexico–United States border crossings
• List of Canada–United States border crossings