Borders, customs and security problems in terms of political geography of Turkiye: Our Western land frontiers

It is aimed to make a practical study by examining political geography, borders and basic paradigms in detail in the research. Political geography features play a part in the economic activities, security and borders of states. Although political boundaries drawn for various reasons throughout history have separated states and societies in time, it also has become a geographical field where interaction between states is provided. In either case, the borders have become more sheltered geographical areas now. Although Türkiye, in a strategic position, has many commercial advantages due to its political and geopolitical features, it also comes up againts various security problems due to its borders. Western land frontiers, research areas, have increased in importance about Türkiye's political and economic relations with the European Union in terms of political geography in recent years. The western land frontiers, which can be addressed on refugees, trade, smuggling and various security problems, act as an artificial barrier between the European Union countries and the Middle East countries blocked by Türkiye and also determine political relations. Therefore, considering the problems of instability in the Middle Eastern countries reflectedin the region and the world, it can be said that the southeastern border security of the European Union is connected with the southern and eastern borders of Türkiye. While the thesis has been created with the above-mentioned fiction and hypotheses, notions of political geography and border, paradigm shifts, the borders, border customs, cyber border and border security issues in terms of Türkiye's political geography have been researched about the western land frontiers. Literature review and field surveys have been carried out integratedly in the research. In the thesis, various maps produced with Geographical Information Systems have been used. All the results obtained by the methods and techniques applied have been analyzed in terms of geography science and various synthesis have been reached. This research consists of six sections. In the first and second sections, various theoretical information is included about geographical paradigms, political geography, border and defense policies. The effects of Türkiye's political geography features on security and trade have been discussed. In the third section, the term of border and the situation of Türkiye's borders have been dwelled on. In the fourth section, the physical and human geography features of the western land frontier regions of Türkiye are discussed. In the fifth section, commercial activities in Türkiye and western land frontiers and border customs, which are important for human mobility, have been focused on. Finally, in the sixth section, the refugee problem in Türkiye and western land frontiers and border security policies are discussed. In the conclusion, the findings of the research are mentioned. After focusing on the importance of Türkiye and western land frontiers and their determining role for the Middle East countries and the European Union countries, the research has been completed. Key words: Political Geography, Border, Border Security, Customs, Western Land Frontiers of Türkiye