A short but tremendously strategic 17-kilometer border connects Turkey with Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave. This frontier is Turkey’s only direct link to the Turkic world of the Caucasus and Central Asia, making it a point of immense geopolitical and cultural importance for both nations. The entire border is formed by the Aras River, and a single crossing point connects the village of Sadarak in Nakhchivan with the Dilucu border post in Turkey’s Iğdır province. The bridge spanning the river is fittingly named the ‘Umut Köprüsü’ or ‘Bridge of Hope,’ symbolizing the deep alliance between the two countries, often described by the phrase “one nation, two states.” This crossing is a vital economic lifeline for the landlocked exclave, providing access to a friendly neighbor and a gateway for trade that bypasses both Armenia and Iran. For travelers, it offers a modern and generally efficient passage, connecting the remote and historic region of Nakhchivan with the road network of eastern Turkey. The majestic, snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat is often visible in the distance, providing a stunning backdrop to this significant geopolitical crossing point. This border was established by the 1921 Treaty of Kars, which solidified the unique territorial arrangement.