4
$\begingroup$

In this puzzle, we only consider independent countries and we do not count overseas territories as actual part of a country. We say that three countries form a well-connected triple, if each two of them share a piece of common border with strictly positive length. Most of these well-connected triples furthermore meet at a point (at least theoretically).

Q: What are the eight well-connected triples that share (at least) two points common to all three countries?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ so basically you're looking for a country that lies between 2 other countries and has no other neighbours? $\endgroup$
    – Novarg
    Feb 11, 2015 at 14:29
  • $\begingroup$ @Novarg: No, not exactly. Azerbaijan consists of two disconnected parts, and between the two parts Armenia is bordering Iran. $\endgroup$
    – Gamow
    Feb 11, 2015 at 14:39
  • $\begingroup$ The "correct answer" sign goes to Gamow who found the last (and hence hardest) answer. $\endgroup$
    – Alexis
    Feb 12, 2015 at 13:30

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3
$\begingroup$

Quick and easy answers:

  1. Mongolia, China, and Russia
  2. Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein
  3. India, China, and Nepal
  4. India, China, and Bhutan

Three further answers found by shyos:

  1. Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova
  2. South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland
  3. France, Spain, and Andorra

And finally the "weirdest" solution:

  1. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
$\begingroup$

Based on wikipedia there are 7 country that are landlocked by two other countries.

Seven landlocked countries are surrounded by only two mutually bordering neighbors:

  • Andorra (between France and Spain)
  • Bhutan (between India and China)
  • Liechtenstein (one of the "doubly landlocked" countries, between Switzerland and Austria)
  • Moldova (between Ukraine and Romania)
  • Mongolia (between Russia and China)
  • Nepal (between India and China)
  • Swaziland (between South Africa and Mozambique)

To this group could be added two de facto states with no or limited international recognition:

  • South Ossetia (between Russia and Georgia)
  • Transnistria (between Ukraine and Moldova)
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.