Landlocked countries: the full list and surprising facts
Quick answer: There are 44 landlocked countries, meaning they have no coastline on an ocean or open sea. Kazakhstan is the largest, and Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are double-landlocked.
What landlocked means
A landlocked country is fully surrounded by land, with no coast on an ocean or open sea. Coasts on lakes or the Caspian Sea do not count as ocean access.
Landlocked countries by region
All 44 landlocked countries recognised by the United Nations, by region:
- Africa (16): Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Asia (12): Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
- Europe (14): Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Czechia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Vatican City
- South America (2): Bolivia, Paraguay
Double-landlocked countries
Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are surrounded only by other landlocked countries, so reaching the sea means crossing at least two borders.
Largest landlocked countries
The biggest landlocked countries by area:
| Country | Region | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | Asia | Largest landlocked country |
| Mongolia | Asia | Second largest |
| Chad | Africa | Largest in Africa |
| Niger | Africa | |
| Mali | Africa | |
| Ethiopia | Africa | Most populous landlocked country |
| Bolivia | South America | Has a navy on Lake Titicaca |
Doubly landlocked countries
Only two countries are surrounded entirely by other landlocked countries: Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan. To reach the sea from either, you must cross at least two borders.
Why being landlocked matters
Without a coast, countries depend on neighbours for ports and trade routes, which can raise transport costs. Many make agreements for access to a neighbour’s port.
Landlocked countries with navies
Some landlocked countries still have navies. Bolivia lost its coast to Chile in the War of the Pacific in the 1880s but keeps a navy that patrols Lake Titicaca and its rivers, and it holds a Day of the Sea every year. Paraguay has a navy on its rivers, and countries such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have naval forces on the Caspian Sea.
How landlocked countries reach the sea
Landlocked countries depend on agreements with neighbours. Ethiopia, which became landlocked after Eritrea’s independence in 1993, sends most of its trade through the port of Djibouti. Many Central Asian countries rely on rail links across several borders.
| Country | Main sea route |
|---|---|
| Ethiopia | Port of Djibouti |
| Bolivia | Ports in Chile and Peru |
| Nepal | Ports in India |
| Uganda | Port of Mombasa, Kenya |
| Switzerland | Rhine to Rotterdam |
Landlocked countries
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Frequently asked questions
What does landlocked mean?
A landlocked country has no coastline on an ocean or open sea: it is completely surrounded by land and other countries. Coasts on lakes or the Caspian Sea do not count as ocean access.
What are the landlocked countries?
There are 44: 16 in Africa (such as Ethiopia, Mali, Chad, Uganda and Zambia), 12 in Asia (such as Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Afghanistan and Laos), 14 in Europe (such as Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czechia and Serbia) and 2 in South America (Bolivia and Paraguay). The full list by region is above.
What is the largest landlocked country?
Kazakhstan, at about 2.7 million km².
Which continent has the most landlocked countries?
Africa, with 16.
What does doubly landlocked mean?
Surrounded only by landlocked countries. Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are the two examples.
Why does Bolivia have a navy?
It patrols Lake Titicaca and rivers, and Bolivia still hopes to regain sea access.
Which port does Ethiopia use?
Mostly Djibouti.