Coastline Length (km) 2023
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
Nepal - #216
Bhutan - #215
Afghanistan - #214
Paraguay - #213
Bolivia - #212
Azerbaijan - #211
Holy See - #210
Switzerland - #209
San Marino - #208
Serbia
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2023, Canada ranks highest globally for Coastline Length (km) with a staggering 202,080 km, while the range among 200 countries varies from 0 km to this maximum. The global average coastline length is 3,826.46 km, with a median of 498 km, providing a broad view of coastal geography worldwide.
Geographical Factors Influencing Coastline Length
Geographical features play a crucial role in determining a country's coastline length. Canada, with its extensive Arctic and Pacific coastlines, leads the world due to its geographical diversity, including numerous islands and peninsulas. Similarly, Indonesia ranks second with 54,716 km, largely attributed to its archipelagic nature, comprising thousands of islands that significantly extend its coastal boundaries.
In contrast, landlocked countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Andorra report a coastline length of 0 km due to their lack of access to oceanic or sea borders. These nations illustrate the absence of coastal influence on their geography, which affects their economic and cultural development differently compared to coastal nations.
Economic and Environmental Implications
The length of a country's coastline can have profound economic and environmental implications. Nations with extensive coastlines, such as Norway with 25,148 km and Japan with 29,751 km, leverage their coastal access for industries such as fishing, shipping, and tourism. These activities contribute significantly to their GDP and employment rates, highlighting the economic advantage of having long coastlines.
From an environmental perspective, longer coastlines also mean greater responsibility for marine conservation. Countries like Australia, boasting a coastline of 25,760 km, face the challenge of preserving diverse marine ecosystems while balancing economic interests. This dual responsibility influences national policies on environmental protection and sustainable development.
Coastline Length Stability Over Time
The year-over-year analysis for 2023 reveals no significant changes in coastline lengths, with Canada, Indonesia, and Greenland showing zero change. This stability indicates that natural and human-induced factors have not drastically altered coastlines within the last year. While factors like sea-level rise and erosion are concerns, their immediate impact on total coastline length appears negligible in this dataset.
This stability also emphasizes the enduring nature of geographical features, which remain relatively constant despite ongoing environmental changes. It highlights the importance of understanding that while coastlines are static in length, they are dynamic in ecological and economic contexts, requiring constant monitoring and management.
Future Considerations for Coastal Nations
As global environmental changes continue to pose challenges, countries with significant coastlines must prepare for potential impacts. Nations like the United States, with 19,924 km of coastline, need to address rising sea levels and increased storm activity, which threaten coastal infrastructure and habitats.
For countries like New Zealand, with a coastline of 15,134 km, maintaining a balance between development and conservation will be crucial. Policies that promote sustainable use of coastal resources will be key in preserving their natural heritage while supporting economic growth.
In conclusion, while the Coastline Length (km) remains stable, the implications of having extensive coastlines are far-reaching, influencing economic opportunities, environmental responsibilities, and future planning for coastal nations worldwide.
Insights by country
Indonesia
In 2023, Indonesia ranks #2 globally with a coastline length of 54,716 km. This extensive coastline is second only to Canada, highlighting Indonesia's significant maritime territory in Southeast Asia. The country's unique geography, comprising over 17,000 islands, plays a crucial role in its coastline length, supporting diverse ecosystems and a vibrant fishing industry that is vital to its economy.
Mali
Mali ranks #196 globally with a coastline length of 0 km in 2023. This positions Mali among the countries with the least access to maritime resources, contrasting sharply with coastal nations in West Africa that benefit from extensive coastlines. The landlocked status of Mali is primarily due to its geographic location in the Sahel region, which limits its trade routes and economic development opportunities compared to its coastal neighbors.
Canada
In 2023, Canada holds the top position globally with a coastline length of 202080 km, ranking #1 out of 217 countries. This extensive coastline is significantly longer than that of the United States, which ranks second in the world. Canada's vast coastline is primarily driven by its geographical features, including numerous islands and inlets, as well as its location bordering three major oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.
Bahrain
Bahrain ranks #136 globally with a coastline length of 161 km in 2023. This length is relatively modest when compared to larger regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia, which has a significantly longer coastline. Bahrain's limited coastline is a result of its small land area and its status as an island nation in the Persian Gulf, influencing its economic activities, including tourism and fishing.
Denmark
In 2023, Denmark ranks #17 globally with a coastline length of 7314 km. This extensive coastline is notably longer than that of its neighbor, Sweden, which has a coastline of approximately 3218 km. Denmark's significant coastline is driven by its numerous islands and fjords, which contribute to its maritime economy and robust fishing industry.
Argentina
In 2023, Argentina ranks #24 globally with a coastline length of 4989 km. This extensive coastline is significant compared to neighboring countries like Uruguay, which has a coastline of approximately 660 km. The length of Argentina's coastline is driven by its vast territorial waters along the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse marine ecosystems and contributing to the country's fishing industry and tourism sector.
Luxembourg
In 2023, Luxembourg ranks #194 globally with a coastline length of 0 km. This places it among the lowest in the world, with countries like Monaco and Japan having extensive coastlines. The absence of a coastline is due to Luxembourg's landlocked position in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany, which shapes its economic activities and trade routes heavily reliant on river transport and road networks.
Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde ranks #81 globally with a coastline length of 965 km in 2023. This length is significant compared to other island nations, as many have smaller coastlines despite larger land areas. The country's extensive coastline is primarily driven by its volcanic origin and strategic location along major Atlantic shipping routes, which enhances its tourism and fishing industries.
Mongolia
Mongolia ranks #197 globally with a coastline length of 0 km in 2023. This places it among the bottom tier of countries, with only landlocked nations having similar or lower rankings. The absence of a coastline is primarily due to Mongolia's geographic location in Central Asia, bordered by Russia and China, which limits access to oceanic trade routes and maritime resources.
Croatia
In 2023, Croatia ranks #21 globally with a coastline length of 5835 km. This extensive coastline is significantly longer than that of its neighbor Slovenia, which has only 46.6 km of coastline, highlighting Croatia's prominent position along the Adriatic Sea.
The country's coastline is a crucial driver of its tourism industry, attracting millions of visitors each year to its numerous islands and historic coastal cities. Additionally, Croatia's geographic location and favorable climate contribute to its appeal as a prime destination for maritime activities.
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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