Access to maritime trade routes has always been considered one of the main features of a powerful state. Almost the majority of all wars in human history have been for access to the coastline. With the development of technology and the change in the structure of transportation, tensions between states due to lack of access to the sea have significantly decreased, and landlocked states do not feel isolated. In addition, the Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees all states the right to have their own fleet and use the waters of the oceans. As a rule, landlocked countries sell the right to use their flag to commercial shipping companies, which thus save on paying taxes in developed countries. For states that sell this right, such revenues are often an important help.
UN on guard
International treaties, the UN charter and declarations on shipping equalize all states in the rights to use the resources of the open ocean, but this does not relieve them of the need to conclude separate agreements on the right to use the ports of neighboring states without access to the sea.
Landlocked countries are located on four continents. Most of these countries are in Africa. Here is their list:
- Botswana;
- Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta);
- Burundi;
- Republic of Zambia;
- Republic of Zimbabwe;
- Kingdom of Lesotho;
- Republic of Malawi;
- Mali;
- Republic of Niger;
- Rwandan Republic;
- Kingdom of Swaziland;
- Uganda;
- Central African Republic;
- Chad;
- Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
All landlocked African states fall into the category of developing countries according to the UN classification and have serious problems with the standard of living of the population. Obviously, the lack of access to the main transport arteries also affects their well-being.
In 2011, as a result of a referendum, the southern provinces separated from Sudan, which has ports on the Red Sea, partially inheriting the name from the previous state. There is one more landlocked state. However, the we alth of oil fields allows us to hope for the speedy recovery of South Sudan after the conflict with its northern neighbor. The country's government has joined the East African Union, which will simplify access to transport routes.
The largest landlocked states are in Africa - Ethiopia, with a population of 93 million, and Uganda, with a population of 34 million.
Ethiopia had its ports on the Red Sea until 1993, but after the referendum and the secession of Eritrea, it lost the status of a maritime power. It is worth noting here that for Eritrea, access to one of the most important seas in terms of transport turned out to be completely useless. The country produces almost no products, and the government is so corrupt that most of the population prefers to flee to Europe through the Mediterranean, risking their lives in the process.
Which country is landlocked in South America?
On the South American continent, despite the huge length of the coastline, there are two states deprived of their own seaports.
Bolivia lost its coastal territory in 1883 when British-backed Chilean troops annexed the provinces of Arica and Tarapaca, which had strategic s altpeter deposits. Since then, the country was deprived of access to the sea until 2010, in which an agreement was signed between Bolivia and Peru, providing for the lease of a small plot for the construction of the Bolivian port. In addition, Bolivia is the only landlocked country that has its ownnaval forces.
The second country without its own sea coast is Paraguay, which is located in the very center of the continent. He never claimed access to the sea. Most of the country is dry land, the smaller part is dense tropical forests. However, Paraguay has one significant advantage over other states without seaports. The second largest river of the continent, the Parana, flows through the country and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Although ocean navigation is only possible in the lower reaches, 640 km from the ocean, small craft and boats can be used in the middle reaches.
Which country is landlocked in Europe?
There are 16 such states in Europe. Like all other countries of the continent, they have a long and difficult history of struggle for access to the seas. Despite the fact that they lost all these battles, within the framework of the concept of a united and peaceful Europe, this lack is not so acute.
Here are the European landlocked states:
- Austria;
- Kingdom of Andorra;
- Republic of Belarus;
- Vatican;
- Hungary (uses Croatian ports on the Adriatic Sea);
- Kosovo;
- Principality of Liechtenstein;
- Grand Duchy of Luxembourg;
- Moldova;
- San Marino;
- Serbia;
- Slovakia;
- Czech Republic;
- Swiss Confederation.
Peaceful coexistence and the principles of good neighborliness allowEuropean countries to interact at an extremely high level. For example, the Czech Republic has an agreement with Poland on the use of the port of Szczecin.
Waterless Central Asia
Many landlocked Asian states are located on the territory of the CIS. The republics of the former USSR lost access to the sea due to gaining independence. At the same time, Russia has committed itself to providing access to its deep-sea transport system to countries with access to the Caspian Sea. This allows Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to conduct their ships to the B altic and Black Seas. Such a passage is possible thanks to a complex system of canals and waterworks built during the Soviet Union.
The situation in the countries of Southeast Asia is exacerbated by complex and conflicting relations between countries located in the interior of the continent and transit countries. At the same time, Mongolia, for example, thanks to friendly relations with the Russian Federation, has its own large merchant fleet.
Here is a list of countries in Asia that do not have a sea coast:
- Azerbaijan;
- Republic of Armenia;
- Islamic Republic of Afghanistan;
- Kingdom of Bhutan;
- Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Republic of Kyrgyzstan;
- Lao People's Democratic Republic;
- Republic of Mongolia;
- Federal Republic of Nepal;
- Republic of Tajikistan;
- Republic of Turkmenistan;
- Republic of Uzbekistan;
Apartmentstands the partially recognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has become a cause of contention between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh is also landlocked.
Separately, it is worth mentioning a few more states that have a disputed status, but are deprived of access to the sea - these are the Republic of South Ossetia and the Pridnestrovian Republic. With a disputed status and a smoldering conflict, it will be difficult for the Transnistrian Republic to gain access to the sea in the near future, as Ukraine is blockading the republic.
