Which is the largest landlocked country in the world?
And the answer: Kazakhstan.
With an area of 1.05 million square miles, Kazakhstan is the largest country with no border access to the open ocean. It is bordered by Russia, China, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
The Republic of Kazakhstan is in the dead-center of central Asia. Interestingly, though, Kazakhstan does have a coastline: 1,174 miles of coastline along the Caspian Sea, in fact. Due to the classification of the body of water, however, the nation does not have a maritime status, thus making it the largest land-locked country in the world.
Culturally and geographically, Kazakhstan represents a melting pot of European and East Asian cultures. Around 120 ethnic groups and nationalities comprise the region, whose culture is largely based on the nomadic pastoral economy of its inhabitants. Islam was introduced to Kazakhstan in the 7th to 12th centuries, which has a lasting influence on cuisines of the region. Besides lamb, many other traditional foods retain symbolic value in Kazakh culture. Kazakh culture is also largely influenced by the Turkic nomadic lifestyle, as well as the nomadic Scythians.
In addition to being the largest landlocked country in the world, Kazakhstan is also the 9th largest in terms of surface area. Only Russia, China, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Australia, India and Argentina are larger than Kazakhstan. As a result, the country holds a huge range of landscapes, from ski resorts to windswept plains and stunning natural reservoirs.
Learn more about the natural beauty, history and significance of Kazakhstan here.
