Borken is a Kreis (district) in the northwestern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in the Münster region.

Neighboring districts are Steinfurt, Coesfeld, Recklinghausen, Wesel, Cleves, Bentheim in the Lower Saxony and the Dutch provinces Gelderland and Overijssel.

During the era of the Holy Roman Empire the area was subordinate to the Prince-Bishopric of Münster for centuries.

The district is located in the western part of the Münsterland, a rather flat and rural area.

The colors of the coat of arms were chosen to be the same as those of the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, the long-time owner of the region.