44 countries, including 2 doubly landlocked ones, have no direct access to the ocean. They are the landlocked states. Without a coast of their own, each one relies on a neighbour to reach a port and ship its goods abroad. Some lost their coastline in a war; many never had one. Here are ten that stand out.
1. Kazakhstan (the largest landlocked country)
At around 2.7 million km², Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world. It does border the Caspian Sea, a closed sea that opens onto no ocean.
2. Ethiopia (the most populous landlocked country)
With close to 130 million inhabitants, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world. It lost its coastline in 1993, when Eritrea became independent. Since then, most of its trade has passed through the port of Djibouti.
3. Bolivia (a navy without a sea)
Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). It still maintains a navy, which trains on Lake Titicaca.
4. Liechtenstein (doubly landlocked)
One of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. Its two neighbours, Switzerland and Austria, are themselves landlocked: you must cross at least two borders to reach the sea.
5. Uzbekistan (the other doubly landlocked country)
The planet’s second doubly landlocked country. It is surrounded by five states that have no sea access themselves.
6. Mongolia (only two neighbours)
The second-largest landlocked country in the world. Mongolia is wedged between just two neighbours: Russia to the north and China to the south.
7. Switzerland (a merchant fleet without a coast)
Switzerland has no coast, yet it ranks among the great merchant shipping nations. It reaches the North Sea along the Rhine, from the port of Basel.
8. Nepal (the roof of the world)
Hemmed in between India and China, Nepal is home to eight of the ten highest peaks on Earth, including Everest.
9. Paraguay (access through rivers)
Paraguay has no coastline, but a vast river frontage connects it to the Atlantic. The Itaipú dam, shared with Brazil, is one of the most powerful in the world.
10. Vatican City (the smallest landlocked country)
The smallest landlocked country in the world, at 0.44 km². It is enclosed within a single city: Rome.
Landlocked countries at a glance
| Country | Continent | Distinctive fact |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | Asia | Largest landlocked country (2.7 M km²) |
| Ethiopia | Africa | Most populous (130 million inhabitants) |
| Bolivia | South America | Coastline lost in 1884, navy on Lake Titicaca |
| Liechtenstein | Europe | Doubly landlocked |
| Uzbekistan | Asia | Doubly landlocked, five landlocked neighbours |
| Mongolia | Asia | Only two neighbours (Russia, China) |
| Switzerland | Europe | Sea access via the Rhine from Basel |
| Nepal | Asia | Eight of the world’s ten highest peaks |
| Paraguay | South America | River frontage, Itaipú dam |
| Vatican City | Europe | The smallest (0.44 km²), enclosed in Rome |
Several of these states turn up in other rankings too. Vatican City and Liechtenstein are among the smallest countries in the world, Liechtenstein also counts as one of the European microstates, and the tangle of their land borders produces some of the strangest borders on the planet.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries have no access to the sea?
44 countries have no direct access to the sea. That total includes two doubly landlocked countries, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan. States bordering the Caspian Sea, a closed sea, are counted as landlocked.
What is the largest landlocked country in the world?
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country, at around 2.7 million km². It borders the Caspian Sea, but that is a closed sea with no access to the ocean. Mongolia comes second.
Which are the two doubly landlocked countries?
Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are the only two doubly landlocked countries. A doubly landlocked country is surrounded exclusively by states that are themselves landlocked: you must cross at least two borders to reach a coast.
Why does Bolivia have a navy?
Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), but has never given up its maritime claim. It maintains a navy, which trains on Lake Titicaca.
