There are many huge countries around the world, and it’s hard to imagine just how big some of them are. With size often comes access to the sea, and some nations have coastlines stretching for tens of thousands of miles. The countries with the world’s longest coastlines are spread across the globe. Two are in Europe, while several others in Asia are made up of hundreds or even thousands of islands.
But measuring a coastline is not straightforward. The World Atlas says the length depends on the scale of the map used. Smaller scale maps give shorter figures, while larger scale maps reveal more curves, inlets and bays, increasing the total. To make comparisons fair, all their measurements use the same scale.
Here are the seven countries with the longest coastlines in the world, according to World Atlas.
7. Australia – 16,007 miles (25,760 km)
Australia’s coastline touches three oceans: the Pacific, Indian and Southern. It’s home to more than 10,000 beaches, from the golden sands of Bondi to the remote stretches of Western Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, sits just off the northeast coast. Coastal towns and cities are vital to the economy, with fishing, tourism and shipping providing thousands of jobs. The country’s shores also include mangrove forests, rocky headlands and cliffs.
6. Japan – 18,486 miles (29,751 km)
Japan’s coastline wraps around 6,852 islands, with the four main ones – Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku – making up most of its land. The shores vary from sandy beaches in Okinawa to rugged cliffs in Hokkaido.
Many of Japan’s biggest cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama, are coastal. Fishing, aquaculture and shipping are key industries, and the country’s ports are among the busiest in the world. Coastal scenery, like the Matsushima Bay islands, is also a major tourist draw.
5. Philippines – 22,549 miles (36,289 km)
Made up of 7,641 islands, the Philippines has one of the most irregular coastlines in the world, dotted with bays, coves and islets. About 60% of Filipinos live near the sea, relying on it for food, transport and income.
Famous beaches include White Beach in Boracay and El Nido in Palawan, which bring in millions of visitors each year. The country’s waters are full of marine life, making fishing and diving important for the economy.
(Image: Getty)
Saint Isaac’s Cathedral and Spit of Vasilievsky Island seen from Neva river. Dramatic rainy clouds on the background. St. Petersburg
4. Russia – 23,396 miles (37,653 km)
Russia’s coastline stretches across the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans, plus the Black, Baltic and Caspian seas. It includes icy Arctic shores, Pacific fishing hubs like Vladivostok and historic Baltic ports such as St Petersburg.
Much of the northern coastline is frozen for much of the year, while the Black Sea resorts enjoy a milder climate. The scale of the coastline means it plays a massive role in trade, defence and fishing
3. Indonesia – 36,122 miles (58,133 km)
Indonesia’s long coastline comes from its more than 17,000 islands, many of which are uninhabited. The shores range from white sandy beaches to mangrove forests and volcanic headlands.
Popular coastal areas include Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands, which attract millions of tourists annually. The country’s waters are home to coral reefs teeming with marine life, and fishing remains vital for many coastal communities.
2. Norway – 61,567 miles (99,083 km)
Norway’s coastline is known for its stunning fjords, countless islands and deep bays. Its shores face both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea. Many Norwegians live by the coast, with fishing a key part of the culture and economy.
Towns like Bergen and Tromsø are gateways to scenic cruises, while the northern coastline offers some of the best views of the Northern Lights. The intricate shape of the shoreline is what makes Norway’s coastline so long.
1. Canada – 125,567 miles (202,080 km)
Canada has the longest coastline in the world, touching the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It spans from sandy beaches in Prince Edward Island to frozen Arctic inlets and the rocky Pacific coast of British Columbia.
Large sections are remote and only accessible by boat or plane. Fishing, shipping and tourism all depend on the coastline, which also plays a huge role in the country’s culture and history. Its sheer length is more than the next four countries on the list combined.
Credit: Express.com
