Transboundary Water Policy of Turkey Between 1954 and 2016

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Fresh water resources which make up 2,5 % of the world water reserves, do not have a uniform spatial distribution over the Earth. Water is an inexhaustible natural resource. But, water resources have spatial changes depend on hydrologic cycle. Nowadays, there is a bilateral pressure on water resources resulting from both human activities and changes caused by natural hydrologic cycle. During the last period, ability to access and manage water resources has gained a great importance. Especially, water has a great strategic value for Turkey. Depending on the Falkenmark Indicator, Turkey face to face water stress. The Country has a lower amount of water per capita than its northern neighbors, which is relatively higher than its southern neighbors. Besides, there are big differences in the distribution of renewable water resources within the country. About one-third of Turkey s renewable water resources are concentrated in transboundary water basins. The basins, which are high in renewable water potential, are located in the south east of the country as the main water resources of the Middle East geography. Water shortages lead to social tension, rivalry and conflict between the countries around of Turkey. In order to prevent tensions, rivalries and conflicts, the hydropolitics which is applied by participants have a key role. The aim of the present paper is revealed main hydropolitics of Turkey between 1954 and 2016. As a result of this study, for selected period, transboundary water policy of Turkey is divided into seven main groups.

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Turkey , water resources , transboundary water , hydropolitic

International Journal of Geography and Geography Education

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International Journal of Geography and Geography Education