Why Only 2 Countries Are Double-Landlocked
From Sketchplanations - The Podcast by Bell Boy Productions
May 19, 2026 · 31 min · Season 5 · Episode 16
About this episode
This episode explores the concept of double-landlocked countries and their significance in trade and geopolitics.
In a double-landlocked country you must cross at least two national borders to reach a coastline connected to the world’s oceans. In this episode we talk about the nuances of landlocked definitions (including why the Caspian Sea doesn’t count) and identify the only two double-landlocked countries: Liechtenstein, surrounded by Switzerland and Austria, and Uzbekistan, surrounded by landlocked “stans.” We talk about why ports and sea access matter for trade and geopolitics. We also explore the ideas and definitions for landlocked US states (including Nebraska as “triple landlocked”), the furthest points from the sea, disputed borders, recursive islands, and a Google Maps oddity between the Shetlands and Faroe Islands. It's definitely one for maps and geography nerds! References: Tom mentions Tim Marshall's book, Prisoners of Geography Jono also references some of his other sketches: Recursive Islands and Triple Landlocked States We also reference the previous podcast episode on Antipodes for how so much of the Earth is water. Episode Summary: 00:00 What Double Landlocked Means 04:17 The Only Two Countries 05:45 Caspian Sea and Definitions 06:53 Recursive Borders…
People in this episode
Host: Bell Boy Productions
Topics covered
- double-landlocked countries
- geopolitics
- trade
- landlocked definitions
- geography
- maps
Keywords
- double-landlocked
- geography
- trade
- landlocked countries
- Caspian Sea
- Shetlands
- Faroe Islands
- Nebraska
- geopolitics
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Prisoners of Geography
Places: Liechtenstein, Uzbekistan, Caspian Sea, UAE, Bolivia, Africa, Shetlands, Faroe Islands, Nebraska
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