Coastlines are generally thought of as beaches and seas, but their coastline length can vary considerably depending on geographical conditions. According to the World Atlas, certain geographical elements such as coastline shape, island formations and fjords help determine the length of a country’s coastline, making its borders appear larger.For a country with an unusually long coastline, this is attributed to the country’s fragmentation into several pieces and geographical factors. The coastline helps the country to develop economically, biologically and climatically.
Countries with the Longest Coastlines and What Makes Them Unique
The coastlines of these countries are characterized by geographical features such as bays, peninsulas and islands. The long coastlines serve as a base for marine life, fishing and international shipping lanes. Sometimes, coastlines can be jagged and this makes measurement complicated. The following is a list of the top 10 countries with the longest coastline globally.
Canada (202,080 km)
The Canadian coast stretches for 202,080 kilometres, making it the longest in the world. It touches the waters of three oceans, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean and is quite complex due to the presence of many islands, bays and fjords.
Norway (58,133 km)
The total length of the Norwegian coastline is 58,133 km, which is due to the presence of deep fjords formed by glacial action. Fjords narrow as they go inland, increasing the length of the coastline. The coastline makes an important contribution to Norway’s fishing industry.
Indonesia (54,716 km)
Indonesia’s coastline is one of the longest as it consists of a large number of islands, numbering more than 17,000. These coastlines are home to many species of life and include coral reefs and mangrove forests.
Russia (37,653 km)
The Russian coast extends for a distance of 37,653 km, covering several oceans such as the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Russian coastline runs through a cold climate, where much of the coast freezes during the winter season.
Philippines (36,289 km)
The Philippine archipelago consists of many islands and thus has a very extensive and complex coastline of 36,289 kilometers. The beaches are famous for their beautiful coral reefs, diversity of marine life and abundant fishing villages.
Japan (29,751 km)
Being an archipelagic country, Japan has a coastline of 29,751 kilometers. Its coastline consists of many bays, peninsulas and rugged coastlines.
Australia (25,760 km)
The 25,760 km long Australian coastline includes diverse land formations such as beaches, reefs and coral reefs, among which is the Great Barrier Reef. It enables tourism, marine life and coastal ecosystems. Despite having a vast land area, its coastline is not very rugged compared to others.
United States of America (19,924 km)
America has a 19,924 km long coastline on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. The country also has the long coast of Alaska, making the coast longer than usual.
New Zealand (15,134 km)
The coastline of New Zealand extends over a length of 15,134 kilometers and has been formed due to the presence of volcanoes and tectonic activities. Its notable geographical features include fiords, bays and rugged cliffs.
China (14,500 km)
The Chinese coastline is approximately 14,500 kilometers long and runs around the Pacific Ocean. The coastline is not very indented, but it is economically important. Population in coastal areas is high and their economic importance is also very high.
