Coastlines are typically perceived as beaches and seas, but their coastline length can vary greatly based on geographical conditions. According to World Atlas, some geographical elements like the shoreline shape, island formation, and fjords help in determining the coastline length of any country, making it appear bigger at its borders.Countries with unusually long coastlines owe this to the fragmentation of the country into multiple pieces and the geographical elements at play. The coastline helps the country thrive economically, biologically, and climatically.
The countries with the longest coastlines and what makes them unique
The coastlines of these nations are characterised by geographical factors like bays, peninsulas, and islands. The long coastlines serve as the basis for marine life, fishing, and international shipping lanes.
Many times, the coastlines may be jagged and thereby complicate measurements. The following is the list of the top 10 countries with the longest coastlines 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 convoluted due to the presence of many islands, bays, and fjords.
Norway (58,133 km)
The Norwegian coastline has a total length of 58,133 km due to the presence of deep fjords that were formed by glacial action. The fjords narrow to go far inland, increasing the coastline length. The coastline makes an important contribution to the fishing industry of Norway.
Indonesia (54,716 km)
The Indonesian coastline is one of the longest because of its large number of islands, numbering more than 17,000. These coastlines contain many species of life and consist of coral reefs and mangrove forests.
Russia (37,653 km)
The Russian coast stretches for a distance of 37,653 km, which covers several oceans, such as the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Russian coastline passes through cold environments, where much of the coast becomes frozen in the winter season.
Philippines (36,289 km)
The Philippine archipelago comprises numerous islands and thus boasts a very extensive and complex coastline of 36,289 kilometres. The coastlines are famous for their beautiful coral reefs, variety of marine life and abundant fishing villages.
Japan (29,751 km)
The coastline of Japan measures up to 29,751 kilometres due to the fact that it is an archipelago country. Its coastline consists of several bays, peninsulas, and rough shorelines.
Australia (25,760 km)
The Australian coastline, measuring 25,760 kilometres long, consists of diverse terrain formations such as beaches, cliffs, and coral reefs, among which is the Great Barrier Reef. This enables tourism, marine life, and coastal ecosystems.
Despite having a large land area, it does not have a very jagged coastline compared to others.
United States (19,924 km)
The U.S. has a long coast of 19,924 km on the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Gulf of Mexico. The country also possesses the long coast of Alaska, which makes the coast longer than usual.
New Zealand (15,134 km)
The New Zealand coastline spans a length of 15,134 kilometres and owes its formation to the presence of volcanoes and tectonic activities. Its notable geographical features include fiords, coves, and rugged cliffs.
China (14,500 km)
The Chinese coastline is about 14,500 kilometres long and runs around the Pacific Ocean. The coastline is not very indented, but it is economically important. The population is high in coastal zones, and they have great economic importance.
