Liechtenstein's Coastline: Zero Kilometers (It's Landlocked)
Liechtenstein has no coastline. It is a doubly landlocked country in Central Europe—one of only two globally (the other is Uzbekistan).
Geography
- Area: 160 km² (62 mi²) — 6th smallest sovereign state
- Borders: Switzerland (west/south, 41 km), Austria (east, 35 km)
- Nearest sea: Mediterranean (~400 km via Switzerland); North Sea (~600 km)
- Rhine River: Forms western border; navigable but not tidal/seagoing at this point
Doubly Landlocked Meaning
To reach ocean from Liechtenstein, you must cross two national borders (e.g., Liechtenstein → Switzerland → France/Italy/Germany → sea).
Economic Adaptation
- No ports → specialized in high-value, low-volume: financial services, precision manufacturing (Hilti, Ivoclar), dental tech, tourism
- Customs union with Switzerland (since 1924); uses Swiss franc
- Rhine port access via Swiss terminals (Basel)