Ethiopia is the landlocked country with the world’s largest population among countries without a coastline.
Located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most populous countries and occupies much of the highland region around the Great Rift Valley. Its population is far larger than that of any other landlocked country, although exact rankings change as national populations grow.
Ethiopia lost its coastline after Eritrea became independent in 1993. Since then, Ethiopia has remained landlocked while retaining major historical connections to the Red Sea region. It uses ports in neighboring countries for much of its international trade.
Ethiopia is also one of Africa’s oldest states. The country’s highlands contain the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, while Lake Tana feeds the Blue Nile. Those landmarks are distinct from the population fact and help explain Ethiopia’s exceptional geographic and historical importance.