Nepal has no coastline, yet it holds some of the tallest mountains on Earth.

The longer version

Mountains do not require a nearby ocean; they form where crustal plates collide and push rock upward. A continent moving north pressed into another landmass, folding the edge into a vast range. The collision is still active, so uplift continues and earthquakes occur from time to time.

Being landlocked affects trade routes and transport costs, since goods must cross a neighbour's territory to reach a port. At the same time, the steep terrain creates dramatic elevation change over short distances, from low plains to permanent ice. Rivers flowing down carry sediment that fertilises farmland below. Terraced fields make steep slopes usable for growing crops.

Where this entry sits

These facts wander across maps, borders, deserts, rivers, mountains, and the extreme corners of the natural world. Each one is short and self-contained, offering a small surprise about places you may never visit rather than anything you actually need. The full list sits on the Geography page, where every entry is listed in order.