Double-landlocked countries

Growing up on the island of Great Britain, I took for granted that after a few hours of travel in most directions, I'd be looking out to sea. But that's not the case for many people.

If you were born in a landlocked country, there's no coastline, and you'd need to cross at least one other country to reach the ocean.

And there's a much rarer situation: being double-landlocked. Only two countries in the world have this unique distinction: Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein.

What Does Double-Landlocked Mean?

To be double-landlocked, a country must be surrounded entirely by landlocked neighbours. In other words, not only does the country itself lack access to the sea, but every country bordering it is also landlocked.

If you live in a double-landlocked country, you must cross at least two national borders before reaching a coastline connected to the oceans.

The World's Only Double-Landlocked Countries

There are just two double-landlocked countries in the world:

Uzbekistan

Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is surrounded entirely by other landlocked nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. To reach the ocean, you'd need to cross at least one of these countries and then go through another country to its coastline.

For instance, you could cross through Kazakhstan (landlocked) and on through Russia to reach the Arctic Ocean. Or perhaps through Afghanistan and then Pakistan to reach the Indian Ocean.

Although Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea, the Caspian Sea isn't connected to the open oceans.

Liechtenstein

The tiny principality of Liechtenstein, sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, is the other double-landlocked country.

Because Switzerland and Austria are landlocked, reaching the ocean involves crossing at least one of these countries and then travelling through a third—perhaps heading south through Switzerland to the Italian coastline for a nice trip.

Being double-landlocked adds complexity to trade and transport and a particular reliance on neighbours.

Are There Double-Landlocked States in the United States?

Landlocked and double-landlocked also applies to states in the US. 27 US States are considered landlocked to some degree.

16 states are singly landlocked—crossing one state boundary would give them access to the ocean.

10 states are double-landlocked because reaching the coastline requires crossing at least two other states. These are:

• Utah
• Wyoming
• Colorado
• South Dakota
• Kansas
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Indiana

And Nebraska is the only triple-landlocked state. To reach the ocean, Nebraskans must first cross a double-landlocked state, then a landlocked state.

More Geography Facts and Sketches

• Point Nemo
• The Coastline Paradox
• The Mercator Projection
• The Continental Axis Hypothesis
• Types of volcano: Red and Gray volcanoes
• Capitonym
• The Making of the Med
• Why do Birds Migrate So Far
• Settlement patterns

Double-landlocked countries, along with other fascinating facts about the world, features in my book Big Ideas Little Pictures.