In Robert D. Kaplan's "The Revenge of Geography," he highlights the economic struggles of landlocked countries, pointing out that many of the world's weakest economies are situated without direct access to oceans. This geographical limitation significantly impacts their trade capabilities, contributing to their economic challenges.

Additionally, Kaplan notes that tropical regions, which fall between the latitudes of 23.45 degrees north and south, tend to experience higher levels of poverty. In contrast, many affluent nations are found in the middle and high latitudes, suggesting a correlation between geographical positioning and economic prosperity.