Coastline by Country: Global Comparison 2024

oastlines play a significant role in shaping a country’s geography, culture, and economy. Extending along the edges of oceans, seas, and other major water bodies, coastlines offer unique benefits and challenges to the countries they border. While some nations enjoy vast stretches of coastline that foster tourism, fishing industries, and trade, others have only a narrow access to the sea. This article explores the variations in coastline lengths worldwide, highlighting countries with the longest and shortest coastlines and discussing how these differences impact the countries’ economies, ecology, and social dynamics.

Top 10 Countries with the Longest Coastline

1. Canada – 202,080 km
2. Norway – 83,281 km
3. Indonesia – 54,716 km
4. Greenland – 44,087 km
5. Russia – 37,653 km
6. Philippines – 36,289 km
7. Japan – 29,751 km
8. Australia – 25,760 km
9. United States – 19,924 km
10. New Zealand – 15,134 km

The top ten countries with the longest coastlines include a variety of landmasses, from island nations to expansive continents. Canada leads the list, with an immense coastline of over 202,000 kilometers, due to its numerous islands and intricate coastal geography. Norway’s rugged fjords contribute to its high ranking, while Indonesia and the Philippines, both archipelagic nations, have extensive coastlines thanks to their thousands of islands. Russia, Japan, and Australia benefit from their large land areas touching multiple seas, and the United States and New Zealand round out the list, each with substantial, varied coastlines.

Top 10 Countries with the Shortest Coastline

1. Monaco – 4 km
2. Gibraltar – 12 km
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 20 km
4. Tuvalu – 24 km
5. Jordan – 26 km
6. Nauru – 30 km
7. Montserrat – 40 km
8. Palestine – 40 km
9. Macau – 41 km
10. Slovenia – 47 km

Countries with the shortest coastlines have limited access to the sea, often constrained by their small size or geographical borders. Monaco, the world’s second-smallest country, has a mere 4 kilometers of coastline along the Mediterranean, while Gibraltar and Bosnia and Herzegovina have minimal coastlines due to their geographic position. Small island nations like Tuvalu and Nauru also have short coastlines relative to larger nations. Despite their modest coastal areas, these countries still benefit from maritime access, enabling trade and tourism on a smaller scale.

Full Table of Coastline by Country

Coastline Impact on Trade, Ecology, and Tourism

Coastlines play a crucial role in shaping a country’s economic and environmental dynamics. For instance, countries with extensive coastlines often enjoy more robust fishing industries, trade opportunities, and tourism benefits. These coastal economies can leverage marine resources, ports, and tourist-friendly beaches, contributing significantly to their GDP. In contrast, countries with limited coastlines may face constraints in maritime trade, relying more on overland routes or regional agreements to access larger ports.

In terms of ecology, coastlines house diverse ecosystems, from coral reefs to mangroves and estuaries, all vital for maintaining marine biodiversity. However, these areas are increasingly vulnerable to threats like climate change, pollution, and rising sea levels, especially for low-lying countries and island nations.

Coastal Conservation Efforts Worldwide

With coastlines under pressure from development, pollution, and climate change, conservation efforts have become essential. Many countries have implemented coastal management programs that focus on habitat restoration, pollution control, and erosion prevention. Countries like the Philippines, with vast coral reefs, actively work to protect their marine biodiversity through reef preservation and marine protected areas. Similarly, Canada and Norway focus on sustainable fishing and environmental regulations to maintain their coastal health.

These conservation efforts are critical, not only to protect local flora and fauna but also to support the economies and livelihoods that depend on healthy coastal environments.

Learn More

• Countries With The Longest Coastline
• List of countries by length of coastline – Wikipedia
• Countries by Coastline 2024 – World Population Review