In this respect, Belgium and The Netherlands are countries with a small population but very well developed hinterland connections into Europe that the countries´ ports serve.
Shanghai's global connectivity is strongly influenced by its close connection with its hinterland, the Yangtze River Delta, and elsewhere in China.
Nevertheless, most ports (have to) rely to a large extent on road transport for serving their hinterland, although intermodal transport connections can maintain and extend the hinterland of seaports [4].
Roads link the port to its fertile hinterland, and an airport provides connections to other parts of Saudi Arabia.
Connection with the hinterland, which is "the area where the demand for cargo movement is generated" and foreland, which is "the cargo destinations that are connected by shipping services from the cargo sources" (Rodrigue & Notteboom 2010) is also essential for nurturing the development of TCEs.
The banks of the Suzhou River, an important inland waterway connection to the interior hinterland, are occupied by a westward arterial extension of the transitional zone.
From their connection with the Ethiopian hinterland, their proximity to Arabia, and their export of precious gums, ostrich feathers, ghee (clarified butter), and other animal products as well as slaves from farther inland, the northern and eastern Somali coasts have for centuries been open to the outside world.
It also facilitates understanding of the connection between rivers in the hinterland and adjoining coastal systems.
The connection between Kolkata and its hinterland to the west depends upon several bridges over the Hugli those linked to Haora and, farther north, the bridges at Bally and Naihati.
Wang (2011) reveals that port location, feeder services and intermodal connections, the size of the hinterland, and port efficiency are important hub port selection criteria in Europe.
