Landlocked Countries: Nations Without Coastlines

A landlocked country is a sovereign state that is entirely surrounded by land, with no direct access to an ocean or sea. This geographic condition has profound implications for a nation's economy, trade, defense, and cultural development. Currently, there are 44 landlocked countries in the world, spread across every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Understanding which countries are landlocked — and why it matters — is essential for any geography enthusiast.

Why Being Landlocked Matters

Being landlocked is one of the most significant geographic disadvantages a country can face. Without direct access to the ocean, landlocked nations must rely on neighboring countries to transport goods to and from international ports. This adds time, cost, and political complexity to international trade. Landlocked countries typically have higher transportation costs for imports and exports, which can reduce economic competitiveness and slow development.

Research has shown that landlocked developing countries tend to have lower economic growth rates compared to their coastal neighbors. A study by the World Bank found that being landlocked reduces a country's economic growth by about 0.5% per year on average, and this effect is even more pronounced for countries that are also landlocked and have very low-income levels.

Beyond trade, landlocked countries also face challenges in accessing marine resources, fisheries, and offshore mineral deposits. They depend heavily on the cooperation of transit countries for access to ports and maritime infrastructure, which can create diplomatic tensions and vulnerabilities.

Landlocked Countries by Continent

Europe (14 Landlocked Countries)

Europe has the highest concentration of landlocked nations, largely due to the political fragmentation caused by centuries of empire-building, wars, and treaty negotiations.

• Andorra — 468 km², nestled in the Pyrenees between France and Spain
• Austria — 83,879 km², centered in the heart of the Alps
• Belarus — 207,600 km², the largest landlocked country in Europe
• Czech Republic (Czechia) — 78,866 km², in Central Europe
• Hungary — 93,030 km², along the middle Danube
• Kosovo — 10,887 km², in the Balkans (partially recognized)
• Liechtenstein — 160 km², between Switzerland and Austria
• Luxembourg — 2,586 km², bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany
• Moldova — 33,846 km², between Romania and Ukraine
• North Macedonia — 25,713 km², in the Balkans
• San Marino — 61 km², an enclave within Italy
• Slovakia — 49,035 km², in Central Europe
• Switzerland — 41,285 km², famous for its Alpine geography
• Vatican City — 0.44 km², an enclave within Rome, Italy

Asia (12 Landlocked Countries)

Asia contains the world's only doubly landlocked country and has several large landlocked nations in Central Asia.

• Afghanistan — 652,864 km², a mountainous crossroads in South-Central Asia
• Armenia — 29,743 km², in the South Caucasus
• Azerbaijan — 86,600 km², though it has a Caspian Sea coast (the Caspian is technically a lake)
• Bhutan — 38,394 km², in the eastern Himalayas
• Kazakhstan — 2,724,900 km², the world's largest landlocked country
• Kyrgyzstan — 199,951 km², in Central Asia
• Laos — 236,800 km², the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia
• Mongolia — 1,564,116 km², the second-largest landlocked country
• Nepal — 147,181 km², in the Himalayas between India and China
• Tajikistan — 143,100 km², the smallest country in Central Asia
• Turkmenistan — 488,100 km², on the Caspian Sea (disputed landlocked status)
• Uzbekistan — 448,978 km², a doubly landlocked country

Africa (16 Landlocked Countries)

Africa has the most landlocked countries of any continent, a legacy of colonial-era border drawing that created many内陆 nations.

• Botswana — 581,730 km², in southern Africa
• Burkina Faso — 274,200 km², in West Africa
• Burundi — 27,834 km², in the Great Lakes region
• Central African Republic — 622,984 km², in central Africa
• Chad — 1,284,000 km², the largest landlocked country in Africa
• Ethiopia — 1,104,300 km², the most populous landlocked country in the world
• Kazakhstan — listed above in Asia
• Lesotho — 30,355 km², an enclave within South Africa
• Liberia — not actually landlocked
• Malawi — 118,484 km², in southeastern Africa
• Mali — 1,240,192 km², in West Africa
• Niger — 1,267,000 km², in West Africa
• Rwanda — 26,338 km², in the Great Lakes region
• South Sudan — 619,745 km², the world's newest country (gained independence in 2011)
• Uganda — 241,038 km², in East Africa
• Zambia — 752,612 km², in southern Africa
• Zimbabwe — 390,757 km², in southern Africa

South America (2 Landlocked Countries)

• Bolivia — 1,098,581 km², lost its Pacific coast to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879–1884) and still maintains a navy on Lake Titicaca
• Paraguay — 406,752 km², one of the smallest landlocked countries in South America

North America and the Caribbean

There are no landlocked countries in North America or the Caribbean. All nations in this region have direct access to the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.

Doubly Landlocked Countries

The rarest type of landlocked country is the doubly landlocked country — a nation surrounded entirely by other landlocked countries. To reach the ocean from a doubly landlocked country, you must cross at least two international borders. There are only two doubly landlocked countries in the world:

1. Liechtenstein (Europe) — A tiny principality of just 160 square kilometers nestled in the Alps, Liechtenstein is surrounded by Switzerland and Austria, both of which are themselves landlocked. With a population of about 39,000, it is one of the smallest countries in the world. Despite its geographic constraints, Liechtenstein has become one of the wealthiest nations per capita, thanks to its financial services industry and manufacturing sector.
2. Uzbekistan (Central Asia) — At 448,978 square kilometers, Uzbekistan is the world's largest doubly landlocked country. It is surrounded by five landlocked nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Despite this, Uzbekistan has a population of over 35 million, making it the most populous doubly landlocked country by a large margin. The ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara are located within its borders.

Notable Landlocked Countries

Kazakhstan holds the distinction of being the world's largest landlocked country at 2.72 million square kilometers — larger than any other landlocked nation and roughly the size of Western Europe. Despite its enormous size, Kazakhstan has managed to develop significant trade infrastructure through partnerships with neighboring countries and investment in rail and road networks connecting to Chinese and Russian ports.

Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world, with over 126 million people. It has historically relied on the port of Djibouti for most of its international trade, and the two countries are connected by the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, completed in 2017.

Bolivia has a unique situation among South American landlocked nations. After losing its Pacific coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific, Bolivia has never accepted the loss and still maintains a ceremonial navy on Lake Titicaca. The country's constitution even guarantees its right to sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.

Geographic Summary Table

Fun Facts About Landlocked Countries

• Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world.
• Kazakhstan is larger than all 14 European landlocked countries combined.
• Ethiopia's population is greater than the combined populations of all 14 European landlocked countries.
• Of the 44 landlocked countries, 34 are developing nations, mostly in Africa and Asia.
• Bolivia lost its Pacific coastline in 1884 and still claims the right to ocean access.
• The Vatican City, at 0.44 km², is the smallest landlocked country in the world.
• Switzerland is one of the wealthiest landlocked nations, with a GDP per capita exceeding $80,000.

Understanding which countries are landlocked provides valuable insight into global trade patterns, economic development, and the influence of geography on national destiny. Whether you are studying for a geography exam or trying to master the JoJio world geography game, knowing your landlocked nations is an essential piece of the puzzle.