Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Inhibited access to foreign markets
Lack of an ocean boundary carries with it lack of unfettered access to foreign markets. You may be
thinking, “Who needs a sea port if you have an airport? Why not import and export everything by
airplane?” Aside from the fact that you can't just go flying over another country's territory without
permission, transporting bulk trade items by ship is far and away the cheapest mode of importing and
exporting goods. For all intents and purposes, therefore, access to foreign markets requires access to
the high seas.
In recognition of the peculiar position of land-locked states, international law has long granted them
the
right of innocent passage
in matters of foreign trade. That is, land-locked countries have the right
to transport imports and exports across the territory of neighboring countries provided such action
does not pose a threat to the security of the host country or violate its laws. A land-locked state may
even be allowed to lease dock facilities in a neighboring country, thereby giving it the port it would
otherwise lack.
Treading softly in foreign relations
Land-locked states find it beneficial to tread very softly in foreign affairs, especially in matters that
pertain to neighboring countries that grant them the right of innocent passage. Tick off thy neighbors,
and they may cut you off from the sea, bringing your ability to import and export to a halt. Obviously,
the effect of this type of action on your economy may be devastating. So make nice, even if you des-
pise them. And you can scream all you want to about your rights. It turns out that the vaunted right of
innocent passage is little more than some touchy-feely gentleman's agreement. Or as they may say in
New York, the right of innocent passage plus $1.50 gets you a ride on the subway.
Applied Geography: Flying over Pakistan
Following the events of September 11, 2001, the United States military lent its consider-
able support to the overthrow of the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan. As part of
that effort, numerous air strikes and cruise missiles were launched from American war-
ships operating in the Arabian Sea. Also, a sizeable contingent of marines and other per-
sonnel were flown into Afghanistan from the same flotilla. But because Afghanistan is
land-locked, all of those sea-launched flights had to fly over some other country to get to
their destinations, and that country was Pakistan.
Countries have sovereignty over the “air space” (that is, the physical atmosphere) that
is directly above their territory. Flying through that air space without permission is tan-
