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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Landlocked countries, also known as sovereign states with no direct access to an ocean, rely heavily on transit countries to connect with international markets. There are currently 44 landlocked countries in the world, with Kazakhstan being the largest by area.
In this article, we’ll explore the list of landlocked countries in Asia, each with its significant history and latest international dynamics.
8 Landlocked Countries in Asia
Citing Best Diplomats and Britannica, Bhutan, Laos, and Kazakhstan are included within the range of landlocked countries in Asia. Other countries are mentioned below:
1. Bhutan
Bhutan, one of the smallest kingdoms in existence, is a landlocked country situated in South Asia, specifically on the eastern ridges of the Himalayas. According to Britannica, long before the kingdom cultivated multiparty parliamentary democracy in 2008, pioneered by King Jigme Dorji Wanghchuk in the 1950s, Bhutan was ruled by atrocious dictatorships.
Bhutan has had striking improvements in transportation and overall accessibility. Notably, the country is becoming more popular among international travelers for its dreamy landscapes of natural abundance.
2. Laos
The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos, is surrounded by neighboring countries of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. Renowned for its forested mountains, upland plateaus, and lowland plains, Laos runs a nationwide agricultural population with a focus on rice cultivation. The country covers 236,800 square kilometers and has its capital city, Vientiane, on the northeast of the famous Mekong River.
3. Kazakhstan
The largest landlocked country in the world, Kazakhstan, is bound to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Russia. Historically, the Kazakhs appeared to be the products of an amalgam of Turkic tribes and Mongols. With a current population of 19 million, the Kazakhs become the second most Turkic-speaking people in Central Asia after Uzbeks. Despite having no direct access to the sea, Kazakhstan is envied by other nations due to the country’s great mineral resources that resulted in exploitation.
4. Afghanistan
Spanning an area of 652,860 square kilometers, Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Asia bordering China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Iran. With a diverse geography of landscapes including plateaus, mountainous lands, and river basins, Afghanistan and its capital city, Kabul, are considered the heart of Asia for their strategic location.
5. Armenia
Modern-day Armenia is inhabited by a portion of ancient Armenia, one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The landlocked country is bound to Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran, with a capital and a financial center located in a city called Yerevan. Covering 29,742 square kilometers, the parliamentary democratic republic nation has a scenic landscape of mountainous lands, flowing rivers, and lush forests.
6. Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in Asia located between Russia and China, which has its capital in Ulaanbaatar. Due to its location, the country experiences a ranging climate, from scorching summers to relatively short winters. Even so, its natural abundance makes it a great destination, consisting of upland steppes, lake-dotted basins, deserts, and mountain ranges.
7. Turkmenistan
The second largest sovereign state in Central Asia, Turkmenistan, is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Despite its massive scale, the country is considered the least densely populated among the Central Asia region, with an estimated population of 7,363,000, as per Britannica. Today, the republic country is led by a president and two active legislative houses.
8. Uzbekistan
Rounding out the list of landlocked countries in Asia, Uzbekistan covers 448,900 square kilometers, with a population of 34.92 million. Bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, the nation is dubbed as one of the world’s only two doubly landlocked countries after Liechtenstein.
While lacking direct access to oceans presents trade and transportation hurdles, many of these landlocked countries in Asia have leveraged strategic partnerships, natural resources, and infrastructure development to strengthen their economies. For history geeks, check also the safest countries from natural disasters here.
BEST DIPLOMATS | BRITANNICA | UN.ORG
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