Landlocked Countries

A landlocked country does not have direct access to the ocean. There are currently 44 landlocked countries and 1 de facto state (Kosovo). The UN has designated 32 of these countries as developing (LLDC). 

Landlocked countries face unique challenges. The lack of a seaport and no coastal trading points can cause increased cargo and transport costs as well as no fishing or maritime trade. These countries can be isolated from international trade, require extra border-crossings, and they may have a decreased competitive edge compared to their neighbors with coastlines. Some landlocked countries, on the other hand, are extremely wealthy like Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Several countries in central Asia border the Caspian Sea but are still considered landlocked since the sea is in effect, a large lake without access to the ocean. Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country geographically. Ethiopia is the most populous and Vatican City is the smallest geographically. There are three landlocked countries surrounded by a single country: Lesotho in South Africa, San Marino and Vatican City in Italy. Kyrgyzstan is the furthest country from the ocean. Both Nepal and Bhutan and sandwiched between China and India, but do not share a border with each other.

There are two doubly landlocked countries, meaning they are surrounded by other landlocked countries: Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan. There are no landlocked countries in Oceania or North America.

Several countries became landlocked after wars or as a result of independence movements. These include Serbia (after Montenegro’s independence); South Sudan (upon seceding from Sudan); and Ethiopia (after Eritrea became independent). The greatest cluster of landlocked countries resulted from the dissolutions of the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and the breakup of Yugoslavia. 

The most countries to border a landlocked country is 8.