landlocked

Landlocked describes a country or region that has no coastline along an ocean or sea. A landlocked state is entirely surrounded by land or lacks a seacoast entirely. Some definitions distinguish landlocked from areas with access only to inland seas or large lakes, but the common criterion is absence of direct sea access.

The geographic cause of landlockedness is often historical or political, arising from borders drawn without regard to coastline location, succession of states, or enclaves embedded within neighbors. Regions may become landlocked through the loss of coastline or through the surrounding of a country by land with limited or no port access. While geography largely determines landlockedness, political arrangements influence practical access to ports.

Economic and logistical consequences are a primary focus in discussions of landlocked status. Landlocked states typically face higher transportation costs, longer transit times, and greater dependence on neighboring countries for port access and overland routes. This can affect price levels, trade competitiveness, and development prospects. Countries often pursue transit agreements, regional infrastructure projects, and diversification of corridor access to multiple ports to mitigate these disadvantages.

Examples commonly cited as landlocked include Afghanistan, Bolivia, Chad, Ethiopia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. In Europe and Central Asia, Andorra and Kazakhstan are also described as landlocked. Some states secure access to the sea via navigable rivers or by partnering with neighbors for port facilities.

In development policy, landlocked status is a specific category used by international organizations to identify unique trade and infrastructure challenges faced by such countries.