How Many States Do Not Border An Ocean

How Many States Do Not Border an Ocean? A Complete Guide to America's Landlocked States

When picturing the United States, the mind often drifts to sun-drenched California beaches, the rugged Maine coastline, or the Gulf shores of Florida. This coastal imagery is powerful, but it tells only part of the story. A significant portion of the nation lies far from the crashing waves of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Gulf of Mexico. The question “how many states do not border an ocean?” reveals a fascinating geographic and historical puzzle about the American interior. The answer is 27 states—more than half the union—are completely landlocked, meaning they have no direct access to the world’s oceans. This article will explore exactly which states these are, why their lack of coastline matters, and the surprising ways many still maintain vital water connections.

The Complete List of Landlocked U.S. States

First, let’s definitively identify the 27 states without a saltwater ocean coastline. This list is based on the strict definition of a coastline bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, or Gulf of Mexico (a arm of the Atlantic). States that border the Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario) are not considered ocean-bordering, as the Great Lakes are freshwater bodies.

Here is the full list, grouped regionally for clarity:

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic:

• Vermont
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

Midwest & Great Plains:

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Michigan* (borders four Great Lakes)
• Minnesota* (borders Lake Superior)
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio* (borders Lake Erie)
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin* (borders Lake Michigan and Superior)

South:

• Arkansas
• Kentucky
• Tennessee

West & Mountain:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Utah
• Wyoming

Note: Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin are freshwater coastal states but are landlocked from the ocean. They are included in the 27 because they lack a direct saltwater outlet.

Understanding "Landlocked": More Than Just "No Beach"

The term “landlocked” is key. A landlocked state is entirely surrounded by other states or countries and has no direct access to the sea. This has profound implications for trade, climate, culture, and economic development. Historically, ocean access was synonymous with global trade power. While modern transportation has mitigated many disadvantages, the legacy of being landlocked still influences everything from shipping costs to tourism.

It’s crucial to distinguish between ocean coastline and any water border. The four states marked with an asterisk above (MI, MN, OH, WI) have extensive coastlines on the Great Lakes, the largest system of freshwater lakes in the world. For practical purposes, they function as "coastal" states for their regional economies, with massive port cities like Chicago, Duluth, and Cleveland. However, from a strict continental and oceanic perspective, they remain landlocked. To reach the Atlantic Ocean from Lake Superior, for example, a ship must navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway, a series of locks and canals—a man-made solution to a natural geographic limitation.

Historical and Geographic Reasons for America's Landlocked Heartland

The existence of so many landlocked states is a direct result of how the United States expanded westward. The original 13 colonies were all Atlantic coastal entities. As the nation grew through purchases, treaties, and conquest (the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 being the most massive), the new territories were carved into states without consideration for ocean access. The Continental Divide of the Americas, a mountainous ridge separating rivers flowing to the Pacific from those flowing to the Atlantic, runs through the western landlocked states like Colorado and Wyoming, sealing their inland fate.

The Mason-Dixon Line and other early colonial borders also created landlocked states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia, which were hemmed in by coastal neighbors. The Gadsden Purchase added southern Arizona and New Mexico, completing the contiguous U.S. map with its final two landlocked states. The pattern is clear: statehood was often granted based on population and political organization within a defined territory, not on ensuring ocean frontage.

The Great Lakes Exception: Inland Sea Power

The story of U.S. landlocked states cannot be told without highlighting the Great Lakes. This freshwater inland sea provides a navigable waterway from the interior to the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence River. For the "Great Lakes States," this is a monumental advantage.

• Economic Engine: The Great Lakes Waterway supports a multi-billion dollar shipping industry, moving iron ore, coal, grain, and manufactured goods. The Port of Duluth-Superior is the nation’s top port for tonnage moved, far exceeding many ocean ports.
• Cultural Identity: These states have a distinct "lake culture" with maritime traditions, lighthouses, and vacation economies centered on the shores, rivaling ocean coastal lifestyles.
• Ecological Significance: The lakes contain 21% of the world’s surface freshwater, making their environmental stewardship a national priority.

Thus, while Michigan or Ohio may be ocean-landlocked, they are far from being water-isolated. Their connection to the global ocean is a testament to engineering and natural geography working in tandem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does Washington D.C. count as a landlocked state? A: No. Washington D.C. is a federal district, not a state. It is bordered by Maryland and Virginia and has no ocean coastline, but it is not included in the count of 27 states.

Q: Are there any landlocked countries in North America? A: Yes. Bolivia is the most famous example, having lost its coastal territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). It maintains a navy on Lake Titicaca and asserts a right to sovereign access to the sea. Paraguay is another landlocked nation in South America.

Q: What is the largest landlocked U.S. state by area? A: Montana is the largest

Continuing seamlessly from theFAQ section:

Montana's Vast Terrain and Economic Resilience

While Montana's status as the largest landlocked state by area (over 147,000 square miles) is a key fact, its sheer scale is only part of the story. This expansive territory, dominated by the Rocky Mountains and vast plains, presents unique challenges and opportunities. The state's economy is deeply rooted in its natural resources: mining (copper, gold, coal), agriculture (cattle ranching, wheat), and increasingly, renewable energy (wind, solar). Despite the lack of direct ocean access, Montana leverages its extensive network of railroads and highways to connect its resources to national and international markets. The state's vast open spaces and natural beauty also fuel a significant tourism industry, attracting visitors to its national parks (like Glacier and Yellowstone) and recreational opportunities.

Beyond the Top Three: Other Significant Landlocked States

Montana's size is notable, but the landlocked states collectively form a diverse and economically vital part of the nation. Wyoming, the second largest, is a powerhouse in energy production (coal, natural gas, wind) and tourism centered on Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Colorado, the third largest, boasts a booming economy driven by technology, aerospace, tourism (ski resorts), and agriculture, all thriving despite its inland location. Other large landlocked states include the Dakotas (North and South), Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, and Nevada, each with distinct economies and geographies but sharing the common characteristic of being separated from the open ocean by other states or international borders.

Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of Inland States

The geographical reality of landlocked states – those entirely surrounded by other U.S. states or international borders, devoid of ocean coastline – is a fundamental aspect of the American landscape. From the colonial origins of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, shaped by the Mason-Dixon Line, to the westward expansion defining the Rockies' rain shadow and the final continental configuration finalized by the Gadsden Purchase, the pattern of statehood often prioritized internal organization and population over direct maritime access. While the Great Lakes states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York) stand as a remarkable exception, benefiting from the world's largest freshwater system and its connection to the Atlantic, the vast majority of the contiguous United States remains landlocked.

This does not signify isolation or economic disadvantage. Landlocked states like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Dakotas harness their immense natural resources, develop robust transportation networks, and cultivate unique cultural identities centered around their vast landscapes and inland waterways. They are integral components of the national economy, contributing significantly to agriculture, energy, technology, and tourism. The existence of these inland states underscores a key historical reality: the United States was built not just on its coastlines, but on the vast, resource-rich interior, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of geographical constraints. Their continued growth and influence are a testament to the enduring strength and diversity of the American landmass.