When it comes to geography, people tend to like answers that are definitive and clear cut. Unfortunately, that is not often the case in this particular field. Most can’t even agree on what a continent is. This complicates any effort to decide which countries are transcontinental, leading people to argue about what should and should not count.
In this post, we’ll try to shed some light on the topic. We’ll provide a list of transcontinental countries, breaking them down into groups based on a what makes them transcontinental.
What Countries Are Transcontinental?
While many countries have land on other continents, two stand out as definitively falling into two continents.
Russia
Russia spans across the northern portion of Eurasia. It is considered both a country of Europe, and a country of Asia.
Further reading: Is Russia in Europe or Asia?
Turkey
Like Russia, Turkey is also a country of Europe and Asia. Traditionally, Turkey has been viewed as a crossroads between the two continents.
Further reading: Is Turkey in Europe or Asia?
Other Countries on More Than One Continent
In addition to Russia and Turkey, there are other countries that are definitely transcontinental. However, the countries included in this list are typically only considered countries of one continent.
Egypt
Egypt is considered a country of Africa only, but they do have land that spans into the Middle East (Asia) via the Sinai Peninsula.
Further reading: Is Egypt Part of Africa or Asia?
France
France has many overseas regions that are considered integral parts of the country. Among them are French Guiana, in South America, Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean (North America), and Mayotte and Réunion in the Indian Ocean (Africa).
Further reading: What Countries Border France?
Indonesia
The majority of Indonesia is in Asia, but the country does have two provinces on the Island of New Guinea, which is part of Oceania.
Further reading: What Continent is Indonesia In?
United States
All 50 U.S. states are in North America, except for one. Hawaii, which is located way out there in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is typically considered part of Oceania.
Border Dependent Transcontinental Countries
Now things start to get a little tricky. Remember that continents, and continental borders, are largely cultural constructs. There is no one, definitive border between Europe and Asia, for example – different sources will draw it at different points. Arguments for the following countries can be made as to whether or not they are transcontinental, though that status largely depends on where the continental borders are draw.
Armenia
Considered part of Asia, but may span into Europe.
Further reading: Where Is Armenia?
Azerbaijan
Considered part of Asia, but may span into Europe.
Colombia
Considered part of South America, but may span into North America.
Cyprus
Considered part of Europe, but may span into Asia.
Further reading: Is Cyprus in Europe or Asia?
Georgia
Considered part of Asia, but may span into Europe.
Iceland
Considered part of Europe, but may span into North America
Kazakhstan
Considered part of Asia, but may span into Europe.
Further reading: Is Kazakhstan Part of Asia or Europe?
Panama
Considered part of North America, but may span into South America.
Further reading: Where Is Panama?
Countries With Overseas Territories on Different Continents
Lastly, we come to countries that have overseas territories that fall into other continents. Unless the territory is an integral part of the country (like French Guiana is to France or Hawaii is to the U.S.), they usually are not enough to classify a country as “transcontinental.” However, much like with border disputed transcontinental countries, arguments could also be made for these countries as well.
Chile
Easter Island belongs to Chile, and is in Oceania.
Denmark
Greenland is in North America.
Further reading: What Is Greenland?
Norway
Norway has territories off Antarctica.
Greece
The Dodecanese Islands are in Asia.
Italy
Italy’s Pelagie Islands are in Africa.
Japan
The Bonin Islands are controlled by Japan, and are in Oceania.
Netherlands
Sint Maarten, Curaçao, and Aruba are in the Caribbean between North and South America.
Portugal
Madeira is in Africa, and the Azores are sometimes considered part of North America.
Further reading: What Is Portugal?
Spain
Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands, and other territories are in Africa.
United Kingdom
The UK has many dependent territories throughout the world.
Further reading: What Is the United Kingdom?
Venezuela
Venezuela’s Isla Aves are in North America.
Further reading: What Is Venezuela?
Yemen
The island of Socotra is sometimes considered part of Africa.
This wraps up our list of transcontinental countries. While there are few definitive answers here, hopefully this list at least clarified the question a bit more.
Did you like this post? Click here to find more geography articles from the Sporcle Blog. And remember that you can find thousands of geography trivia quizzes on Sporcle.
