Landlocked countries

Landlocked countries
Name	Landlocked countries

Landlocked countries. A landlocked country is a sovereign state entirely enclosed by land, or whose only coastlines lie on closed seas. There are currently 44 landlocked countries in the world, including two doubly landlocked nations. The lack of territorial access to an open ocean presents unique economic, strategic, and developmental hurdles, influencing their histories and international relations profoundly.

Definition and classification

A landlocked country is defined by its complete lack of a coastline bordering an open sea or ocean. The United Nations recognizes 44 such states. Among these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are considered doubly landlocked, meaning they are surrounded only by other landlocked countries. Some countries, like Bolivia and Paraguay, lost coastal territories through conflicts such as the War of the Pacific and the War of the Triple Alliance. The legal right to access the sea is enshrined in international conventions, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

List of landlocked countries

Landlocked countries are distributed across several continents. In Europe, examples include Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Asia hosts the most, with nations like Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, and the five Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In Africa, prominent landlocked states are Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mali. The Americas have only two: Bolivia and Paraguay. No landlocked countries exist in Oceania.

Economic and developmental challenges

The absence of direct maritime access often correlates with higher trade costs and slower economic growth. These states face increased transportation expenses for imports and exports, relying on transit through neighboring countries like South Africa, Kenya, or Pakistan. Many, such as Niger and Chad, are classified among the Least Developed Countries by the UNCTAD. They are frequently dependent on commodities; for instance, Botswana relies on diamond exports, while Mongolia depends on mining. Membership in regional bodies like the European Union or the Eurasian Economic Union can mitigate some disadvantages.

Historical and geopolitical context

Historically, becoming landlocked has often resulted from conflict and shifting borders. Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile in the 19th century, a point of enduring diplomatic tension. Similarly, Austria and Hungary lost territories after World War I and the Treaty of Trianon. During the Cold War, landlocked states like Afghanistan and Laos became strategic buffers. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia created new landlocked nations, including Slovakia and North Macedonia, reshaping regional dynamics in Central Europe and the Balkans.

Transportation and access to the sea

Access to seaports is governed by international law and bilateral treaties. Countries utilize rivers like the Danube, Rhine, and Paraná River for inland waterway transport. Key rail and road corridors, such as the Northern Corridor serving Uganda and Rwanda via the Port of Mombasa, are vital. Some landlocked states maintain naval forces on lakes, like Bolivia on Lake Titicaca. Agreements like the Treaty of Access to the Sea between Bolivia and Peru or transit rights through Tanzania for Zambia are critical for economic survival.

Notable examples and case studies

Switzerland is a prominent example of a prosperous, neutral landlocked state, leveraging its position in the Alps and institutions like the World Trade Organization. In contrast, Ethiopia, once had access to the sea through Eritrea, now relies heavily on the Port of Djibouti. Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, utilizes the Caspian Sea and pipelines to export oil. The Vatican City and San Marino are unique microstates. The plight of Zimbabwe and Malawi illustrates the vulnerabilities of being dependent on regional powers like South Africa for maritime trade.

Category:Geography Category:Countries by geography