country_code now also includes the parameter 'radius' [1,2]. This parameter allows one to search for the nearest country in case the coordinates are off the coast.

I created a (very) simple patch for it and attached it.

1) http://www.geonames.org/export/web-services.html#countrycode 2) http://groups.google.com/group/geonames/browse_thread/thread/156527a78a42fab9/b7a3a13a14176bfc?lnk=gst&q=radius#b7a3a13a14176bfc