This Country Has the Shortest Coastline In The World – And Most of It's Man-Made
Did you know one nation has less than five kilometres of ocean access? Many of the shortest coastlines in the world belong to surprisingly wealthy spots or tucked-away territories. Let’s discover the top 10 countries with the shortest shorelines on Earth.
Coastlines are lines where the land meets the big blue ocean. The reason coastlines are considered crucial for a country is that they support trade. Another reason to add is that many fishermen depend on the ocean, and they build their homes near coastlines, helping them catch fish and make some money.
Also, some countries have the most beautiful beaches in the world, which is why, to boost tourism and generate revenue, private companies or wealthy owners build cool, luxurious vacation resorts near beaches where you can enjoy the scenic sunset.
But here's a catch: not all countries have equal coastlines. Some, like Canada, have the longest coastline in the world, which spans around 202,080 km. However, there is one such country with the shortest coastline in the world, shorter than a 30-minute walk. Let's uncover this country in this article, which has the shortest coastline in the world.
Which Country has the shortest coastline in the world?
It is none other than Monaco, which has the shortest coastline in the world. This is a tiny european country which has etched its name in the official Guinness World Record.
According to the record books and official geographical data, Monaco has a tiny shoreline that measures just about 4.1 kilometers (or around 2.5 miles). This super wealthy city-state is surrounded by France on three sides and only opens up to the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea on one side.
Believe it or not, their coast is so small that the country has actually been building man-made extensions into the sea just to get a little bit more space for their boats and parks.
Which Other Countries Have Surprisingly Short Coastlines?
There are several other nations that have surprisingly tiny windows to the ocean. For instance, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a tiny corridor of land that hits the sea, while some island nations like Tuvalu and Nauru are just so physically small that their entire outer rim doesn't add up to much.
| Rank | Country | Coastline Length (km) | Neighboring Countries |
| 1 | Monaco | 4.1 km | France |
| 2 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 20 km | Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro |
| 3 | Tuvalu | 24 km | None (Island nation) |
| 4 | Jordan | 26 km | Saudi Arabia, Israel, Syria, Iraq |
| 5 | Nauru | 30 km | None (Island nation) |
| 6 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 37 km | Angola, Republic of the Congo, CAR, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania |
| 7 | Slovenia | 47 km | Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia |
| 8 | Togo | 56 km | Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso |
| 9 | Iraq | 58 km | Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey |
| 10 | Niue | 64 km | None (Island nation) |
Coastlines are one of the most beautiful natural wonders you'll find on Earth. As discussed in the article, even if a country has the shortest or longest coastline in the world, it doesn't stop it from conquering the world. For example, Monaco has the shortest coastline in the world, but it didn't stop it from trading products. Though it is a small country, it is counted among the richest countries in the world.
Kriti Barua is a skilled digital journalist and communications professional with 4+ years of experience, currently writing for the General Knowledge section at Jagran New Media. She has established herself as a subject matter expert in History, Geography, Trending National and International News, Sports, Science, and Defence, producing clear, reliable, and search-optimised content that connects with readers worldwide.
Kriti holds a BA degree from Delhi University and a one-year diploma in TV Production and Journalism, an academic background that adds research depth and strong storytelling instincts to her writing. Her experience spans brand writing, content marketing, and digital media, giving her a sharp understanding of what makes content both helpful to readers and visible in search.
At Jagran New Media, she applies this expertise to national and international news coverage, query-based articles, and in-depth pieces across her specialist subject areas. Her content is defined by easy language, factual accuracy, strong keyword strategy, and reader-friendly storytelling.
