Landlocked countries tend to suffer from a number of problems. First of all, the process of marketing finished products to the world market is complicated at times. What modern states are deprived of access to the oceans and how does this affect their economy and well-being?
Country and Sea
The influence of various geographical factors on the economic development of the country was first described by Adam Smith in his famous work “The Wealth of Nations”. And it was the access to the sea, that is, to the most important trade routes, that the scientist noted as the most important prerequisite for the success and prosperity of a particular state.
Of course, since 1776 (when Smith's book came out), much in the world has changed. Significant development has been achieved by land transport, railways and pipelines have appeared, nevertheless the transportation of raw materials and goods across the ocean still plays a large role in world trade. Therefore, countries of foreign Europe that have access to the sea (such as France, Germany or the UK) get direct access to any world market.
In turn, isolated states in this regard are faced with a number of economic and transport problems. In addition, they are very vulnerable in the military-strategic plan, because neighboring countries can easily "cut off" them from access to the ocean.
Landlocked countries on a map of the planet
To date, 44 states of the world lack access to the ocean. It should be noted that this number does not include countries that are not recognized or partially recognized by the world community. All of them are marked in green on the next map.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that landlocked countries on three continents: in Africa, Eurasia and South America. But in North America there is not a single state without access to the ocean. Most landlocked countries are in Africa (16) and Europe (14). We are not talking about mainland Australia, since it is entirely occupied by the state of the same name.
The countries of the former USSR (at least most of them) have no access to the sea. And such modern states as Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan completely enter the drainless region of Eurasia.
Among the countries isolated from the sea, Kazakhstan is the largest in area, and Ethiopia in terms of population. This African country is home to over 90 million people who cannot boast of having a sea coast in their homeland.
There are doubly lucky countries on our planet. Thus, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan are surrounded on all sides exclusively by states that are also denied access to the ocean.
Landlocked Europe
In Europe there are 14 such states, plus two more unrecognized ones (Kosovo and the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic). So, the countries of Europe have no access to the sea:
- The so-called dwarf states (Andorra, Vatican, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and San Marino).
- Countries of Central-Eastern Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Hungary).
- Balkan states (Serbia and Macedonia).
- Countries of the former USSR (Belarus and Moldova).
The classic example of a sea-isolated state in Europe is the Republic of Moldova. The country is literally "squeezed" on both sides by two neighboring states - Romania (from the west) and Ukraine (from the north and east). It is separated from the Black Sea by at least forty kilometers.
Problems of landlocked countries
The main problem that all countries isolated from the sea face is the problematic delivery of their goods to world markets. According to World Bank estimates, the cost of transporting goods from such a country is almost two times more expensive than shipping from a coastal state. Of course, transportation costs are reflected in the price of goods for the consumer, and in its competitiveness.
In addition, countries without direct access to the ocean are more vulnerable in the military-strategic plan. Thus, a neighboring state may simply block the access of an isolated country to the open sea in the event of any regional or planetary armed conflict.
Part ten of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees any country access to the open sea. How does it translate into reality? By concluding special interstate agreements allowing transit traffic. That is why, for example, in the Polish port of Szczecin you can see a ship flying the Czech flag. Moreover, ships of all inland countries on the high seas enjoy the same rights as other ships.
Finally
So, there are 44 states on the planet that do not have a direct connection with the oceans. In Europe, there are no landlocked countries: Andorra, Vatican, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, San Marino, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Belarus, Macedonia, Serbia and Moldova. True, many of these European states are quite successful and prosperous in their development.