Coastline Length (km) 2017
Coastline length in kilometers measures a country's coastal geography. Compare countries and explore interactive maps and rankings.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #217
Zimbabwe - #216
Zambia - #215
Eswatini - #214
Holy See - #213
Uzbekistan - #212
Burkina Faso - #211
Uganda - #210
Turkmenistan - #209
Tajikistan - #208
Switzerland
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2017, Canada led the world in Coastline Length (km) with a staggering 202,080 km, while the global range for coastline lengths spanned from 0 km to this maximum. The average coastline length among the 200 countries with data was 3,796.65 km, providing a benchmark for understanding how most countries compare in terms of coastal geography.
Geographical Influences on Coastline Length (km)
The vast differences in Coastline Length (km) across countries can be attributed primarily to geographical factors. Countries like Canada, with its extensive northern archipelago, and Indonesia, consisting of numerous islands, naturally possess longer coastlines. Canada's coastline is the world's longest at 202,080 km, followed by Indonesia with 54,716 km and Greenland at 44,087 km. These countries' coastlines are shaped by a combination of complex island systems and expansive landmasses that meet the ocean.
In contrast, landlocked countries such as Zimbabwe, Serbia, and Zambia have a coastline length of 0 km. These nations are entirely surrounded by other landmasses, which inherently limits their coastal access and economic activities tied to maritime resources.
Economic and Strategic Importance of Coastline Length
A long coastline can significantly impact a country's economy and strategic capabilities. Nations like Japan and Norway, with coastlines of 29,751 km and 25,148 km respectively, leverage their maritime boundaries for economic activities such as fishing, shipping, and tourism. The extensive coastline of Australia at 25,760 km supports its role as a leading exporter of marine products and a key player in global maritime trade routes.
Conversely, countries with shorter or nonexistent coastlines may face challenges in accessing similar economic opportunities. However, these nations often develop alternative economic strategies, focusing on industries less reliant on maritime access.
Coastline Length Stability Over Time
The year-over-year changes in Coastline Length (km) for 2017 show remarkable stability, with no recorded increases or decreases among the top and bottom countries. This stability suggests that natural geographic features and borders have remained largely unchanged, with no significant land reclamation or erosion altering the coastline measurements. Countries like Canada, Indonesia, and Russia reported no change, indicating that the factors influencing coastline lengths are deeply rooted in geological and historical contexts.
Global Distribution and Regional Patterns
The distribution of coastline lengths globally highlights distinct regional patterns. Islands and archipelagic states dominate the upper ranks, with New Zealand having a substantial coastline of 15,134 km. This pattern underscores the influence of island geography in determining the extent of a country's coastline.
On the other hand, many African and European nations are among those with no coastline, such as Eswatini and Austria. These regions have historically developed around inland resources and trade routes, adapting their economies to the absence of direct maritime access.
In conclusion, Coastline Length (km) is a critical geographic metric that reflects both natural formations and economic potential. While countries like Canada and Indonesia benefit from extensive coastlines, landlocked nations continue to innovate and thrive through alternative economic pathways. The stability in coastline lengths over time further emphasizes the enduring impact of geography on global economic and strategic landscapes.
Insights by country
Lithuania
In 2017, Lithuania ranked #152 globally with a coastline length of 90 km. This figure is significantly lower than many of its Baltic neighbors, such as Latvia, which boasts a coastline of approximately 500 km. Lithuania's limited coastline is primarily due to its geographical size and the presence of the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage site that contributes to its unique coastal ecosystem.
Switzerland
In 2017, Switzerland ranked #210 globally with a coastline length of 0 km. This places it among the countries with the least coastal access, in stark contrast to its neighbors like Italy and France, which have extensive coastlines. The absence of a coastline is primarily due to Switzerland's landlocked geography, surrounded by the Alps and other countries, which limits its access to maritime trade routes.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
In 2017, Saint Kitts and Nevis ranked #141 globally with a coastline length of 135 km. This coastline is relatively modest compared to larger Caribbean nations, which often feature extensive shorelines due to their size. The country's coastline plays a crucial role in its economy, primarily through tourism and fishing, as it attracts visitors to its pristine beaches and marine biodiversity.
Malawi
In 2017, Malawi ranked #195 globally with a coastline length of 0 km. This positions Malawi at the bottom of the list, as it is a landlocked country bordered by lakes rather than seas. The absence of a coastline is primarily due to its geographical location in southeastern Africa, surrounded by land from Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania, which shapes its economic and trade dynamics.
Austria
In 2017, Austria ranked #176 globally with a coastline length of 0 km. Unlike its coastal neighbors, Austria is a landlocked country, which significantly impacts its maritime trade and tourism opportunities compared to nations with extensive coastlines. The absence of a coastline is largely due to Austria's geographical positioning in Central Europe, bordered by eight countries, none of which provide direct access to the sea.
Maldives
In 2017, the Maldives ranked #89 globally with a coastline length of 644 km. This figure is notable as it reflects the country's extensive maritime territory, which is vital for tourism and fishing, key sectors of its economy. The unique geography of the Maldives, comprising 26 atolls and over 1,000 islands, contributes to this significant coastline, emphasizing its vulnerability to climate change and rising sea levels.
Russia
In 2017, Russia had a coastline length of 37,653 km, ranking #4 globally among 217 countries. This extensive coastline is surpassed only by Canada, Indonesia, and Greenland, underscoring Russia's vast geographical expanse. The country's lengthy coastline is a result of its large landmass and numerous islands, which play a crucial role in its maritime activities, including fishing and shipping, essential for its economy.
Norway
In 2017, Norway ranked #8 globally with a coastline length of 25148 km. This extensive coastline is significantly longer than that of neighboring Sweden, which has a coastline of approximately 3218 km. The country's rugged terrain and numerous fjords contribute to this vast coastline, making it a crucial aspect of Norway's economy, particularly in fishing, shipping, and tourism.
Afghanistan
In 2017, Afghanistan ranked #173 globally with a coastline length of 0 km. This places it among the landlocked nations, significantly lower than neighboring countries like Iran, which has a coastline along the Persian Gulf. Afghanistan's lack of coastline is primarily due to its geographic positioning in Central Asia, surrounded by land and mountains, which limits access to maritime trade routes.
Guam
In 2017, Guam ranked #143 globally with a coastline length of 125.5 km. This places it below many Pacific Island nations, which often have extensive coastlines due to their geographic characteristics. The relatively modest coastline of Guam is influenced by its land area and volcanic origins, which shape its coastal features and limit the extent of its shorelines compared to larger island nations.
Data Source
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.
Visit Data SourceHistorical Data by Year
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