Landlocked Asian Countries 2025

Asia is an incredibly large continent, and it has a lot of countries that have direct ocean access; however, there are lots of countries that do not have direct ocean access, and many of them are located in Western Asia. In total, there are 12 countries in Asia that do not have direct ocean access. They include Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Nepal, Mongolia, Turkestan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Bhutan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Afghanistan. Many of these countries are also considered to be part of the Middle East.

What Asian Countries Are Not Landlocked?

The most prosperous countries in Asia are not landlocked. A few examples of major Asian countries that do have direct ocean access include Japan, South Korea, and China. Other countries that have direct ocean access include Vietnam, Thailand, and North Korea. Some of these countries have direct access to the Pacific Ocean, while other countries in Asia, such as India, have access to the Indian Ocean. Having access to the ocean makes it easier for these countries to trade with other countries all over the world, including the United States.

What Does it Mean To Be Landlocked?

The definition of landlocked means that the country does not have direct access to the ocean. Some countries that are landlocked might still be able to access the ocean using a nearby river, but the river probably goes through the territory of another country, which can make it difficult for a landlocked country to gain access to the ocean. There are a lot of landlocked countries that seek to facilitate alliances with other countries that have direct access to the ocean to make it easier for them to trade with other nations. In addition, there are some countries that have access to the ocean, but their ports might freeze over in the winter. Therefore, they may seek access to a warm water port that will not cause them to lose access to the ocean during the winter.

What Is the Largest Landlocked Asian Country?

The largest landlocked country in Asia, in terms of square area, is Kazakhstan. This is a country located in Central Asia that covers more than 2.7 million square kilometers. Much of the country is desert, so the country does not have a lot of water, let alone direct access to an ocean.

Is There a Country in Asia That is Double-Landlocked?

There is also an unusual situation in Asia in which a country is considered to be double landlocked. This means that the country does not have access to the ocean, and it is surrounded by countries that also do not have access to the ocean. Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, and it does not have access to the ocean. In addition, it is surrounded by five countries that also do not have access to the ocean. They include Turkestan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. Therefore, it is very difficult for people in Uzbekistan to access the ocean.