Why Are Some Countries Landlocked? Explained
Imagine living in a country where you can’t stroll along a sandy beach or ship goods directly to overseas markets. You might never see the Pacific sunset or load cargo onto a freighter without crossing borders first.
In fact, of the 195 sovereign states recognized globally, 44 have no direct access to an ocean or sea, making them landlocked nations. These countries are surrounded entirely by land or by other states, complicating trade and travel.
In this article, we’ll explore geographical quirks—like continental interiors and mountain ranges—alongside the historical events and political treaties that have drawn inland boundaries. From Bolivia’s lost Pacific coast to Kazakhstan’s vast steppe, real-world examples will bring these factors to life.
You’ll also discover how landlocked nations manage high transit costs, forge trade corridors, and even build “brown water” navies to maintain river access. By the end, you’ll understand why being landlocked isn’t just about geography—it’s about history, diplomacy, and resilience.
What Does Landlocked Mean?
A landlocked country is an independent sovereign state that does not have direct access to the ocean or a sea that is not itself landlocked. This means its entire coastline borders other countries or enclosed bodies of water like the Caspian Sea, which is treated as an inland lake.
Such nations lack seaports, forcing them to rely on neighboring coastal states for maritime trade routes.
Key Reasons Countries Are Landlocked
In brief, Countries become landlocked due to their location in continental interiors, border changes caused by wars and treaties, and political decisions that shape national boundaries.
Geographical Factors
Physical geography plays a key role. Nations deep within continental interiors often have no natural coastline because surrounding mountain ranges or vast plains separate them from the nearest ocean. For instance, Kazakhstan spans 1,052,084 square miles and is surrounded by five Central Asian countries with no seaward boundary.
Moreover, landlocked seas like the Caspian are considered lakes, so countries such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan remain classified as landlocked despite bordering these bodies of water.
Historical Events
Wars, colonial shifts, and independence movements have repeatedly redrawn borders. Bolivia lost its Pacific coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879–1884), ceding roughly 250 miles of shoreline under the Treaty of Ancón. Similarly, Serbia became landlocked after Montenegro’s independence in 2006, and Ethiopia lost access to the Red Sea when Eritrea gained independence in 1993.
Political Decisions
Colonial powers and modern governments have often prioritized strategic or administrative boundaries over coastal access. During the Scramble for Africa, European borders were drawn with little regard for natural ports, creating landlocked states such as Botswana, Lesotho, and Mali. Contemporary treaties sometimes reinforce these inland borders, leaving no direct seacoast.
Impacts of Being Landlocked
Being landlocked imposes significant economic and logistical challenges:
- Higher Transit Costs: Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) spend about two times more of their export earnings on transport and insurance services than developing nations and three times more than developed economies.
- Isolation from World Markets: Without direct seaports, nations depend on neighbors’ infrastructure and border procedures, which can vary in quality and reliability.
- Limited Fishing & Maritime Industries: The lack of shoreline restricts large-scale fishing and related sectors, reducing economic diversification.
- Dependence on Transit Agreements: Success often hinges on diplomatic relations; for example, the Trans-Afghan Railway project aims to link Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to Pakistan’s ports at Karachi and Gwadar.
Notable Examples of Landlocked Countries
| Country | Area (mi² / km²) | Continent |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | 1,052,084 / 2,724,900 | Asia |
| Mongolia | 603,953 / 1,564,241 | Asia |
| Chad | 495,753 / 1,284,000 | Africa |
| Niger | 489,189 / 1,267,000 | Africa |
| Mali | 479,242 / 1,241,238 | Africa |
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopedia Britannica.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many landlocked countries are there in the world?
There are currently 44 landlocked sovereign states worldwide.
Which is the largest landlocked country?
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country, covering about 1,052,084 square miles (2,724,900 km²).
Why did Bolivia become landlocked?
Bolivia ceded its Pacific coast to Chile after the War of the Pacific (1879–1884) and has been without direct sea access since signing the Treaty of Ancón.
What economic challenges do landlocked countries face?
They often pay 2–3× more for transport and insurance than coastal nations, increasing export costs and reducing competitiveness.
Can landlocked countries access the sea?
While lacking a direct coastline, landlocked states secure maritime trade through transit agreements, rail and road corridors, and joint infrastructure projects with neighboring coastal countries.
Key Takeaways
- 44 nations worldwide are landlocked, lacking direct ocean access.
- The main reasons are geography, wars, colonial treaties, and political borders.
- Landlocked Developing Countries pay 2–3× higher transport costs than coastal peers.
- Solutions include transit corridors, regional partnerships, and infrastructure investment.
- Resilience & diplomacy help landlocked states overcome isolation and thrive.
With strategic collaboration and modern infrastructure, landlocked nations continue to connect to global markets and chart a course toward growth.