What two nations are the only landlocked countries in South America?

South America’s Odd Couple: The Landlocked Lives of Bolivia and Paraguay

South America! Think sun-drenched beaches, the Amazon’s roar, and maybe a tango or two. It’s a continent bursting with life, bordered by those vast, churning oceans. Most of its twelve countries hug the coastline, using that access for trade and a slice of the good life. But there are always exceptions, right? Enter Bolivia and Paraguay, South America’s only landlocked nations. Imagine being surrounded entirely by other countries, no direct access to the sea. That’s their reality.

Bolivia: More Than Just Mountains (But There Are a Lot of Mountains)

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia (try saying that five times fast!), sits smack-dab in the western-central part of the continent. It’s the big kid on the landlocked block, stretching over a million square kilometers. Picture this: Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Peru to the northwest, and Chile to the southwest. Talk about being surrounded!

And the landscape? Forget boring. Bolivia’s got it all: sky-scraping Andes Mountains that’ll take your breath away, the steamy Amazon rainforest teeming with life, and the Altiplano, a high-altitude plateau that feels like another world. Seriously, the variety is mind-boggling.

Here’s a kicker: Bolivia wasn’t always landlocked! Back in the day, it had a coastline on the Pacific. But then came the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) against Chile, and well, things didn’t go Bolivia’s way. They lost their coastal territory, and boom, landlocked life ever since. Ouch. You might think, “So what?” But losing that coastline has been a real economic drag. I read somewhere that it costs Bolivia way more to ship stuff compared to Chile – like an extra 55% per container! That hits everyone in the pocketbook.

Now, get this: despite being landlocked, Bolivia has a navy! I know, right? Makes you scratch your head. And then there’s Lake Titicaca, the biggest lake in South America. Straddling the border with Peru, it’s so high up you practically need oxygen to go for a swim. Okay, maybe not, but it’s high!

Paraguay: The Heart of It All

Then there’s Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, snuggled right in the center of South America. They even call it the “Heart of South America.” It’s smaller than Bolivia, but still a decent chunk of land. Argentina hugs it to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest.

Think grassy plains and low, rolling hills east of the Paraguay River. Head west, and you’re in the Chaco region, all low, marshy plains. The weather’s pretty chill – subtropical to temperate, with plenty of rain in the east and a drier vibe in the west.

Paraguay, like its landlocked buddy Bolivia, also sports a navy. How? They have access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Paraguay-Paraná Rivers. Still, being without a coastline throws some curveballs. They rely on roads and rivers for moving goods, which can be slow and expensive. And let’s be honest, the roads aren’t always in tip-top shape.

Adapting and Overcoming

So, Bolivia and Paraguay, stuck in the middle of a continent, facing challenges most of their neighbors don’t. But they’re not just sitting around moping. They’ve found ways to make it work, using those river systems and finding creative solutions. Their unique histories and cultures, shaped by their landlocked status, add a special flavor to the South American mix. They’re a reminder that even with geographical hurdles, a nation can thrive.