A ranking of the 20 countries with the longest coastlines has been released, with Canada taking first place, Norway second, Indonesia third and Russia — the world’s largest country by land area — fourth. The infographic is based on WorldAtlas data, while India’s figures were updated in 2025 using information from the country’s Ministry of Earth Sciences. It highlights how geographical features such as islands, fjords, bays and straits shape the total length of a national coastline. The list spans dramatically different landscapes, from Canada’s Arctic islands to tropical archipelagos in Southeast Asia.
Key Takeaways: More than 70 percent of Canada’s coastline lies in the Arctic; Norway ranks second with 99,083 km, while Indonesia ranks third thanks to its more than 17,500 islands. Russia is fourth with 37,652 km, the United States is eighth with 19,924 km, and India is 13th with a revised 2025 figure of 11,099 km.
The ranking illustrates that land area alone is not a reliable measure of coastline length. Russia, the largest country by territory, is fourth with 37,652 km, while the United States is eighth with 19,924 km. The difference is driven by geography: a large number of islands and archipelagos, an irregular shoreline, and deep fjords and bays can significantly increase a country’s total coastal length. This makes rankings of coastline length as much about physical geography as about territorial size.
Canada’s lead is closely tied to its vast Arctic islands, thousands of bays and straits; more than 70 percent of its coastline is in the north. Norway’s 99,083 km figure is shaped by fjords that cut deep inland and about 239,100 islands near its coast, making it roughly 70 percent longer than Indonesia’s coastline. Indonesia’s third-place position reflects an archipelago of more than 17,500 islands.
In the published section of the ranking, the Philippines is fifth with 36,289 km, Japan sixth with 29,750 km, Australia seventh with 25,761 km and New Zealand ninth with 15,134 km. China closes the top ten with 14,499 km, followed by Greece with 13,676 km and the United Kingdom with 12,429 km. India is 13th with 11,099 km after its official measurement was revised in 2025.
The ranking underscores the importance of distinguishing between older and updated figures when comparing coastline data. India’s 2025 revision shows that measurements can be adjusted over time, while the full 20-country list may require further official clarification as additional data becomes available.
Source: kun.uz