The ancient origins of the railway network go back to Greece in the 6th century BC, marking it as the earliest form of transport in the world. Initially limited to mining operations, the advent of steam engines ushered in the era of commercial railways, revolutionizing global mobility. Despite a large presence in many nations, there are some countries untouched by railway infrastructure.
This compilation is based on a multitude of geographic studies and data from the World Bank. Among these nations, the most egregious lack of rail networks is found in Iceland.
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Contents
7 countries without a railway network
Here is a list of 7 countries that do not have a rail network:
- Iceland
- Andorra
- Butane
- Kuwait
- Maldives
- Guinea-Bissau
- Libya
Countries without railway networks
A prominent factor behind this absence lies in the lack of financial resources allocated to construction undertakings. Predominantly affecting regions such as Iceland, the challenging natural environment further complicates railway development.
In oil-rich countries such as Kuwait, the field of transportation is largely dominated by road systems. However, the increasing traffic congestion requires the start of the construction of the railway network.
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1. Iceland
Iceland has witnessed the emergence of three separate railway networks throughout its history; however, it has never hosted a public rail system. The absence of such a network can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the intense rivalry of the automotive industry, the relatively modest size of the population, and the unrelenting challenges posed by the harsh environmental conditions prevailing in the country.
Although proposals for the establishment of a railway network appeared as early as the early 1900s, these plans ultimately failed. Only in the 2000s did new initiatives materialize with the aim of inaugurating a railway within the capital.
2. Andorra
Andorra, ranked as the 11th smallest nation by population and 16th by area, remains without rail infrastructure. Apart from the French rail link that barely extends 1.2 miles to the Andorran borders, the country is graced with no rail system. The nearest train station connects with France via a bus line to Andorra-la-Vella.
3. Bhutan
Bhutan, a small landlocked country located in South Asia, has no railway network. However, plans are underway to connect Bhutan’s southern regions with India’s expansive rail network. India’s ambition includes an 11-mile long railway connecting Toribari in Nepal with Hashimar in West Bengal.
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4. Kuwait
Kuwait, a wealthy oil-rich nation, relies heavily on road transport. Currently without a railway, Kuwait is embarking on several railway projects. Among them is the ambitious 1,200-mile Gulf Railway connecting Kuwait and Oman.
5. Maldives
The Maldives, an archipelagic nation in South Asia, is considered impractical for rail infrastructure due to its small land mass. Modes of transport in the Maldives include road (mago), waterways and air transport, with no railways present.
6. Guinea-Bissau
Located in West Africa, Guinea-Bissau is one of the few African countries that has just embraced a rail network. The country primarily relies on paved roads in the capital and unpaved routes in other cities for transportation. In 1998, Guinea-Bissau agreed with Portugal to establish a railway network within the country.
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7. Libya
While Libya once boasted a railway network, the ravages of civil war led to its abolition. Since 1965, Libya has not witnessed the operation of a railway service. Groundwork for a rail link between Ras Ajdir and Sirte began in 2001, and efforts to establish rail lines connecting Ras Ajdir and Tripoli began in 2008 and 2009.
Indeed, one could assume that railways exist in every country, even if we consider the 1.27 kilometer Vatican railway.
However, Iceland is a notable exception in this regard, making it a surprising inclusion on this list. However, Iceland has not remained static, as it has plans to introduce a railway system known as the “Lava Express”, with construction set to begin in 2020.
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Source: vcmp.edu.vn