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
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Transcontinental
Asia/Africa
Asia/Europe
In Africa
- Badme, Eritrea
- Bangui, Central African Republic
- Beni Ensar, Morocco
- Ceuta, Spain
- Cocobeach, Gabon
- Fnideq, Morocco
- Kinshasa/Brazzaville (Democratic Republic of the Congo/Republic of the Congo)
- Lomé, Togo
- Mandera, Kenya
- Melilla, Spain
- Moyale, Ethiopia
- Oujda, Morocco
- Walvis Bay, Namibia (until 1994)
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
- Hyder, Alaska and Stewart, British Columbia
- Juneau, Alaska
- Point Roberts, Washington and Tsawwassen, British Columbia
- Blaine, Washington and Surrey, British Columbia
- Sumas, Washington and Abbotsford, British Columbia
- Sweetgrass, Montana and Coutts, Alberta
- Portal, North Dakota and North Portal, Saskatchewan
- Pembina, North Dakota and Emerson, Manitoba
- Noyes, Minnesota and Emerson, Manitoba
- Baudette, Minnesota and Rainy River, Ontario
- International Falls, Minnesota and Fort Frances, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Port Huron, Michigan and Sarnia, Ontario
- Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario
- Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario
- Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario
- Lewiston, New York and Queenston, Ontario
- Cape Vincent, New York and Wolfe Island, Ontario
- Ogdensburg, New York and Prescott, Ontario
- Massena, New York and Cornwall, Ontario
- Derby Line, Vermont and Rock Island, Quebec
- Norton, Vermont and Stanhope, Quebec
- Estcourt Station, Maine and Pohénégamook, Quebec
- Fort Kent, Maine and Clair, New Brunswick
- Madawaska, Maine and Edmundston, New Brunswick
- Van Buren, Maine and St. Leonard, New Brunswick
- Houlton, Maine and Woodstock, New Brunswick
- Vanceboro, Maine and St. Croix, New Brunswick
- Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick
- Eastport, Maine and Deer Island, New Brunswick
- Lubec, Maine and Campobello Island, New Brunswick
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
- San Diego, California and Tijuana, Baja California
- Tecate, Baja California
- Calexico, California and Mexicali, Baja California
- San Luis, Arizona and San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora/Los Algodones, Baja California
- Yuma, Arizona and Los Algodones, Baja California
- Sonoyta, Sonora
- Naco, Arizona and Naco, Sonora
- Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora
- Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora
- Columbus, New Mexico and Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua
- Sunland Park, New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
- El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
- Edinburg, Texas
- Socorro, Texas
- San Elizario, Texas
- Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas
- Del Rio, Texas and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila
- Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila
- Presidio, Texas and Ojinaga, Chihuahua
- Hidalgo, Texas and Reynosa, Tamaulipas
- Pharr, Texas and Reynosa, Tamaulipas
- Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
- El Cenizo, Texas
- Roma, Texas and Ciudad Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas
- Escobares, Texas
- Rio Grande City, Texas
- La Grulla, Texas
- Hidalgo, Texas and Reynosa, Tamaulipas
- Progreso Lakes, Texas and Nuevo Progreso, Río Bravo, Tamaulipas
Within the United States
- Ardmore, Alabama and Ardmore, Tennessee
- Lanett, Alabama and West Point, Georgia
- Florala, Alabama and Paxton, Florida
- Phenix City, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia
- Bluewater, Arizona and Bluewater, California
- Bullhead City, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada
- Colorado City, Arizona and Hildale, Utah
- Ehrenberg, Arizona and Blythe, CA
- Fort Defiance, Arizona
- Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab, Utah
- Mohave Valley, Arizona and Needles, CA
- Oljato-Monument Valley, Arizona
- Parker, Arizona
- Teec Nos Pos, Arizona
- Window Rock, Arizona
- Yuma, Arizona and Winterhaven, California
- Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas
- West Memphis, Arkansas, Southaven, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee
- Kings Beach, California and Incline Village, Nevada
- New Pine Creek, California and New Pine Creek, Oregon
- South Lake Tahoe, California and Stateline, Nevada
- Tulelake, California
- Verdi, California and Verdi, Nevada
- Julesburg, Colorado
- Greenwich, Connecticut and Port Chester, New York
- Pawcatuck, Connecticut and Westerly, Rhode Island
- Delmar, Delaware and Delmar, Maryland
- Marydel, Delaware and Marydel, Maryland
- Washington, D.C., Oxon Hill, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia
- Pensacola, Florida
- Chattahoochee, Florida
- Augusta, Georgia and North Augusta, South Carolina
- Rossville, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Fruitland, Idaho and Ontario, Oregon
- Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington
- Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington
- Oldtown, Idaho and Newport, Washington
- Post Falls, Idaho and Liberty Lake, Washington
- Payette, Idaho
- Weiser, Idaho
- Chicago, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana
- East St. Louis, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri
- The Quad Cities: Rock Island, Illinois, Moline, Illinois, East Moline, Illinois, Davenport, Iowa, and Bettendorf, Iowa, among others
- Jeffersonville, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky
- Michiana Shores, Indiana and Michiana, Michigan
- New Albany, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky
- Union City, Indiana and Union City, Ohio
- Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska
- Sioux City, Iowa, South Sioux City, Nebraska, and North Sioux City, South Dakota
- Overland Park, Kansas City (KCK), Leawood, Prairie Village, Mission Hills, Westwood, Westwood Hills, Mission Woods in Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri
- Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio
- Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Clarksville, Tennessee
- Fulton, Kentucky and South Fulton, Tennessee
- Vidalia, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi
- Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Cumberland, Maryland and Ridgeley, West Virginia
- Knoxville, Maryland and Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
- Fall River, Massachusetts and North Tiverton, Rhode Island
- South Attleboro, Massachusetts and Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- Ironwood, Michigan and Hurley, Wisconsin
- Lambertville, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio
- St. Vincent, Minnesota and Pembina, North Dakota
- Breckenridge, Minnesota and Wahpeton, North Dakota
- Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin
- East Grand Forks, Minnesota and Grand Forks, North Dakota
- La Crescent, Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Lakeland, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin
- Moorhead, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota
- St. Vincent, Minnesota and Pembina, North Dakota
- Winona, Minnesota
- Fairview, Montana
- Westby, Montana
- Henry, Nebraska
- Whiteclay, Nebraska and Pine Ridge, South Dakota
- Denio, Nevada
- Jackpot, Nevada
- McDermitt, Nevada
- Mesquite, Nevada
- Owyhee, Nevada
- Primm, Nevada
- West Wendover, Nevada and Wendover, Utah
- Nashua, New Hampshire
- Camden, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Carteret, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Edgewater, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Elizabeth, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Guttenberg, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Hoboken, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Jersey City, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Lambertville, New Jersey and New Hope, Pennsylvania
- Linden, New Jersey and New York, New York
- North Bergen, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Perth Amboy, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Phillipsburg, New Jersey and Easton, Pennsylvania
- Trenton, New Jersey and Morrisville, Pennsylvania
- Weehawken, New Jersey and New York, New York
- West New York, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Woodbridge Township, New Jersey and New York, New York
- Anthony, New Mexico and Anthony, Texas
- Sunland Park, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas
- Texico, New Mexico and Farwell, Texas
- Waverly, New York and South Waverly, Pennsylvania
- Charlotte, North Carolina and Fort Mill, South Carolina
- Bridgeport, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia
- Proctorville, Ohio and Huntington, West Virginia
- Hood River, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington
- Jordan Valley, Oregon
- Milton-Freewater, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington
- Nyssa, Oregon
- Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington
- The Dalles, Oregon and Dallesport, Washington
- Umatilla, Oregon
- Point Marion, Pennsylvania and Morgantown, West Virginia
- Lemmon, South Dakota
- Yankton, South Dakota
- Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia
- Canutillo, Texas
- El Paso, Texas
- Orange, Texas
- Cornish, Utah
- Cove, Utah
- Lewiston, Utah
- Manila, Utah
- Portage, Utah
- St. George, Utah
- Bluefield, Virginia and Bluefield, West Virginia
- Asotin, Washington
- Pine Bluffs, Wyoming
In South America
- Alberdi, Paraguay and Formosa, Argentina
- Assis Brasil, Brazil; Bolpebra, Bolivia; and Iñapari, Peru
- Brasiléia/Epitaciolândia, Brazil and Cobija, Bolivia
- Corumbá, Brazil and Puerto Suárez, Bolivia
- Chuí, Brazil and Chuy, Uruguay
- Cúcuta, Colombia and San Antonio del Táchira, 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
In Asia
Afghanistan/Pakistan
Afghanistan/Uzbekistan
Azerbaijan/Iran
Bhutan/India
Brunei/Malaysia
China
China/Hong Kong
China/Kazakhstan
- Alashankou/Dostyk
- Khorgas/Korgas
China/Laos
China/Mongolia
China/Myanmar
China/North Korea
China/Russia
China/Taiwan
China/Vietnam
Cyprus/Northern Cyprus
- (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
- (Note: Gaza forms part of the State of Palestine, a state with substantial, but not general, international recognition.)
India
India/Myanmar
India/Pakistan
Indonesia/Malaysia
- Entikong, West Kalimantan/Tebedu, Serian, Sarawak
Iran/Iraq
Iran/Turkmenistan
Israel/Egypt
Israel/Jordan
Laos/Thailand
Malaysia/Singapore
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
Myanmar/Thailand
Turkey/Syria
- Nusaybin/Qamishli
- Şenyurt/Al-Darbasiyah
- Ceylanpınar/Ras al-Ayn
- Akçakale/Tell Abyad
- Mürşitpınar/Kobanî
- Karkamış/Jarabulus
In Europe
Baltic states
- Ainaži (Latvia/Estonia)
- Narva, Estonia/Ivangorod, Russia
- Valga, Estonia/Valka, Latvia
- Panemunė, Lithuania/Sovetsk, Russia
Caucasus
- Tsandryphsh/Vesyoloye (Georgia/Russia)
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)
- Sátoraljaújhely/Slovenské Nové Mesto (Hungary/Slovakia)
- Vyšné Nemecké/Uzhhorod (Slovakia/Ukraine)
Alpine region
- 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)
Iberian Peninsula
- France / Spain
- Portugal / Spain
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
England/Wales
Low countries/Germany
- Aachen, Germany (Belgium/Germany/Netherlands)
- Aalten, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Antwerp, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Arlon, Belgium (Belgium/Luxembourg)
- Baarle-Hertog, Belgium / Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands
- Bad Bentheim, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Bad Nieuweschans, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Bastogne, Belgium (Belgium/Luxembourg)
- Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Bocholt, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Borken, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Bredevoort, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Coevorden, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Damme, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Dinxperlo, Netherlands / Suderwick, Germany
- Emmen, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Emmerich, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Enschede, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Erkelenz, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Essen, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Eupen, Belgium (Belgium/Germany)
- Genk, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Gennep, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Goch, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Gronau, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Heinsberg, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Herzogenrath, Germany / Kerkrade, Netherlands
- Hoogstraten, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Houffalize, Belgium (Belgium/Luxembourg)
- Hulst, Netherlands (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Kalmthout, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Kevelaer, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Kleve, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Knokke, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Lommel, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Maaseik, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Maastricht, Netherlands (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Malmedy, Belgium (Belgium/Germany)
- Martelange, Belgium (Belgium/Luxembourg)
- Mol, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Mönchengladbach, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Monschau, Germany (Belgium/Germany)
- Nijmegen, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Nordhorn, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Oldenzaal, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Prüm, Germany (Belgium/Germany/Luxembourg)
- Putte, Belgium / Putte, Netherlands
- Roermond, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Roosendaal, Netherlands (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Sas van Gent, Netherlands / Zelzate, Belgium
- Schoonebeek, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Sittard, Netherlands (Belgium/Germany/Netherlands)
- Sluis, Netherlands (Belgium/Netherlands)
- St. Vith, Belgium (Belgium/Germany/Luxembourg)
- Ter Apel, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Turnhout, Belgium (Belgium/Netherlands)
- Vaals, Netherlands (Belgium/Germany/Netherlands)
- Venlo, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Vreden, Germany (Germany/Netherlands)
- Winterswijk, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Zevenaar, Netherlands (Germany/Netherlands)
- Zundert, Netherlands (Belgium/Netherlands)
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-Herzegovina
- Županja, Croatia/Orašje, Bosnia-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 Coolangatta, Queensland
- Mungindi, New South Wales and Queensland
- Wallangarra, Queensland and Jennings, New South Wales
Elsewhere
- Vanimo, Papua New Guinea (border with Indonesia)