Have you ever wondered why some countries don’t have trains? Let’s explore a few places around the world where trains are not part of everyday life and find out why!
Iceland is known for its stunning landscapes, geysers, and volcanoes, but it doesn’t have any trains. In the early 1900s, there were plans to build railways to connect the capital, Reykjavik, to other towns. However, they decided that roads were enough. The harsh climate, small population, and love for cars are the main reasons why Iceland doesn’t have railroads. There’s talk about building a high-speed train called the Lava Express from the airport to Reykjavik, but it’s not certain yet.
Bhutan is a country that values happiness over wealth, and it doesn’t have trains either. The mountainous terrain makes building railways very expensive. With a population of nearly 1 million people who often move around, it wouldn’t be worth the cost. There are plans to connect Bhutan to India by train, but funding is still a question.
Andorra is a small country between France and Spain. Despite its size, it doesn’t have trains because of its mountainous landscape. There was an idea to build a cable metro system in 2004, but it never happened.
Libya once had a railway network built by Italy in the early 1900s, but it was dismantled by 1965. Now, there’s a slow-moving project to build a new railway line connecting major cities, but funding is an issue.
Cyprus used to have trains, and you can learn about them at the Railway Museum in Evrychou. The railway lines were shut down because there wasn’t enough cargo traffic. Today, roads have taken over, and old train stations are used for other purposes.
Malta is another island without trains. It once had a railway line, but it closed in 1931 because it wasn’t profitable. The island is densely populated, making it hard to build new train lines without causing noise pollution.
Kuwait is rich in oil, and cars are very popular. There have never been any railways, but there are plans to build a Gulf Railway to connect Kuwait to Oman and a rapid transit system to ease traffic.
Suriname, in South America, had plans for a railway during the gold rush, but they stopped when the gold wasn’t as plentiful as expected. There are still plans for a new line, but nothing has started yet.
There are more countries without trains, like Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, and Tonga. Building railways in these places is often too expensive and not profitable.
If you love trains, you’ll be happy to know that the United States, China, and Russia have the largest rail networks in the world. The US has over 150,000 miles of tracks, China has over 80,000 miles, and Russia has more than 50,000 miles. These countries rely heavily on trains for both passengers and freight.
So, next time you think about trains, remember that not every country has them, and there are many reasons why!
Use a world map to locate the countries mentioned in the article that do not have trains. Mark these countries and discuss with your classmates why trains might not be present there. Consider factors like geography, population, and economy.
Imagine you are a government official in one of the train-free countries. Prepare a short speech either supporting or opposing the construction of a railway system in your country. Present your arguments to the class and engage in a debate.
Choose one of the countries without trains and design a simple railway system for it. Consider the geography and major cities. Draw a map of your proposed train routes and explain your choices to the class.
Pick one of the countries with a large rail network, such as the United States, China, or Russia. Research how their rail systems were developed and present your findings. Discuss how these systems impact the economy and daily life in these countries.
Write a short story about a day in the life of a person living in a country without trains. Describe how they travel and how their life might change if a train system were introduced. Share your story with the class.
Countries – Large areas of land that are controlled by their own governments and have their own borders. – Canada and Mexico are two countries that share a border with the United States.
Trains – Vehicles that run on tracks and are used for transporting people and goods over long distances. – The trains in Japan are known for their speed and punctuality.
Railways – Systems of tracks on which trains travel, usually connecting different cities or regions. – The railway network in Europe makes it easy to travel between countries.
Population – The total number of people living in a specific area, such as a city, country, or continent. – The population of India is over a billion people, making it one of the most populous countries in the world.
Landscape – The visible features of an area of land, including mountains, rivers, and forests. – The landscape of the Grand Canyon is breathtaking with its deep valleys and colorful rock formations.
Climate – The typical weather conditions in a particular area over a long period of time. – The climate in the Sahara Desert is very hot and dry, with little rainfall throughout the year.
Transportation – The movement of people or goods from one place to another using vehicles like cars, buses, trains, or planes. – Public transportation in big cities often includes buses and subways to help people get around.
Plans – Detailed proposals or strategies for achieving specific goals, often related to development or improvement. – The city council has plans to build a new park to provide more green space for residents.
Expensive – Costing a lot of money; having a high price. – Building a new bridge can be expensive, but it improves transportation and safety.
Traffic – The movement of vehicles and people along roads or other routes, often leading to congestion. – During rush hour, the traffic in the city can be very heavy, causing delays for commuters.
