Landlocked countries in South America?
VerifiedAnswer: Paraguay and Bolivia
Explanation:
A landlocked country is a nation that has no direct access to the ocean or sea. In South America, which is surrounded by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, only two countries are completely landlocked - Paraguay and Bolivia.
Paraguay is located in the central part of South America and is bordered by three countries: Brazil to the north and east, Argentina to the south and west, and Bolivia to the northwest. The country is divided by the Paraguay River, which flows through it and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean through Argentina. Despite having this major river system, Paraguay has no direct coastline.
Bolivia is situated in the west-central part of South America and shares borders with five countries: Peru and Chile to the west, Argentina and Paraguay to the south, and Brazil to the north and east. Interestingly, Bolivia once had access to the Pacific Ocean through a coastal region, but lost this territory to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). This historical loss makes Bolivia's landlocked status particularly significant in its national identity.
Both countries face unique challenges due to their landlocked status. They must rely on neighboring countries for access to seaports for international trade, which can increase transportation costs and create dependencies on regional relationships. However, they have developed strong inland economies and maintain important trade relationships with their neighbors.
It's worth noting that all other South American countries have direct access to either the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, or the Caribbean Sea, making Paraguay and Bolivia unique in the continent for their complete lack of coastal access.
