Countries by Coastline 2024

Coastline is defined as the boundary where land meets the water and is often known as shoreline or seashore. It is created by waves crashing onto the shore, eroding the land. Coastlines hold great economic, military, and cultural importance to a country.

The following is a list of the top ten countries with the longest coastlines in the world.

1. Canada - 202,080 Km/125,571 Miles

Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of total area and has the longest coastline of any country in the world. At over 202,000 Km long, Canada’s coastline borders the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Arctic Ocean in the north, and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. With the exception of tropical and subtropical ecosystems like mangrove swamps and coral reefs, Canada features most coastline types that are present elsewhere in the world.

2. Norway - 83,281 Km/51,742 Miles

Norway is located in the western part of Scandinavia and has approximately 83,281 km of coastline. The longest stretches of the coastline border the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea. Norway’s coastline is notable for its rugged, irregular shape. One of the most famous features of Norway’s coastline is the numerous fjords. A large part of the population of this country lives along the coastline, including the capital city of Oslo.

3. Indonesia - 54,716 Km/34,000 Miles

While Indonesia may not be large in terms of landmass, the large number of islands that make up the country qualify it to rank second on the list of the largest coastlines. At about 54,716 km long, Indonesia’s coastline features a wide variety of landscapes, both natural and man-made. Some of the country's most popular destinations are located on the coastlines of the islands of Java and Sumatra.

4. Greenland - 44,087 Km/27,395 Miles

Greenland, the world’s largest island, boasts an impressive 44,087 kilometers of rugged coastline, stretching along the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. Known for its dramatic fjords, glaciers, and ice-covered shores, Greenland’s coastline is primarily characterized by rocky, frozen landscapes shaped by the island's subarctic and arctic climates. Greenland's shores are known for towering icebergs and seasonally frozen seas. With only a small population residing along its vast coast, Greenland's shores remain some of the most untouched and pristine coastal regions in the world.

5. Russia - 37,653 Km/ 23,398 Miles

Russia is a large country in northern Eurasia and has a long coastline that stretches over 37,000 km. Russia’s coastline borders the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Atlantic ocean in the west, and the Pacific in the east. In the south, Russia has coastline on the Baltic, Caspian, and Black Seas. A number of Russia’s population centers and major cities are located along the shores of the country, including St. Petersburg, Yalta, and Vladivostok.

6. Philippines - 36,289 Km/22,551 Miles

The Philippines is an island nation located off the coast of Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. The coast of the islands contain countless gulfs, bays, and islets. About 60% of the population of the Philippines is located along the coastline, as are most of its larger cities and population centers. A larger percentage of the population depends on fishing activities for their livelihood, and about 60% of the fish are caught along the coast.

7. Japan - 29,751 Km/18,487 Miles

Japan is a technologically advanced island nation off the eastern coast of Asia and lies between the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the East China Sea. Japan consists of over 6000 islands; however, most of them are uninhabited. Many of Japan’s major population centers are located along the coastline, as well as some of the largest international ports. Much of Japan’s population is supported by fishing, whaling, and aquaculture and is based on Japan’s coastline.

8. Australia - 25,760 Km/16,008 Miles

Australia is completely surrounded by water and has a total of 25,760 km of coastline. The Australian coastline is varied and features a wide range of land formations including caves, coves, and over 10,000 beaches. The world’s largest coral reef system, The Great Barrier Reef, is located off the eastern coast of Australia.

9. United States - 19,924 Km/12,380 Miles

The United States of America comprises 50 states and several territories. The country has coasts on the Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. It also shares coastline with the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico in the south. 23 states have their own coastline for a total of about 19,924 Km.

10. New Zealand - 15,134 Km/9,404 Miles

New Zealand has over 15,000 km of coastline bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Tasmanian Sea. The coastline varies widely from steep cliffs, headlands, and fjords. There are also reserves established on and around the coastal areas to protect the diverse range of flora and fauna that call New Zealand home.

11. China - 14,500 Km/9,009 Miles

China has coastline on the Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and East China Sea. The coast runs north and south, from the Bo Hai Gulf in the north to the Gulf of Tonkin in the south. The northern part of the coast is mostly lowlands; however there are some hill and mountainous areas. In the south, the coastline contains rocky areas, hills, mountains, and river deltas.