Countries on the mytravelcast map

AlbaniaAlbania is the Balkans' "last secret" — Adriatic and Ionian Riviera (Ksamil, Dhërmi beaches) rivaling Croatian and Greek coasts at half the price. AndorraAndorra is a Pyrenean principality between Spain and France (~80,000 people) — a shopping paradise (no VAT) and ski destination. AustriaAustria is Vienna's imperial elegance, Alps in winter and Salzkammergut lakes in summer. BelarusBelarus is the authoritarian regime of Lukashenko — tourism largely inaccessible since 2022. BelgiumBelgium is two countries (Flemish Flanders, French Wallonia) and three capitals (Brussels, Bruges, Ghent). Bosnia & Herz.Bosnia is Sarajevo — a city where East meets West (mosque, church, synagogue and Orthodox church within 500 m), plus Mostar with its iconic bridge over the turquoise Neretva. BulgariaBulgaria is Black Sea beaches (Sunny Beach, Golden Sands), Rila and Pirin mountains for trekking, medieval monasteries and prices lower than Greece. CroatiaCroatia is 1,700 km of Adriatic coastline and over 1,000 islands, islets and rocks — a Mediterranean gem that Central Europeans have firmly discovered. Czech RepublicCzechia is the gateway to Central Europe — Prague with gothic spires and the Charles Bridge, Český Krumlov like a living miniature, Karlovy Vary with healing waters, and beer cheaper than water. DenmarkDenmark is the homeland of hygge, design and Lego. EstoniaEstonia is the world's most digitised country (e-residency, e-voting) plus medieval Tallinn — one of Europe's best-preserved Old Towns in UNESCO. FinlandFinland is 188,000 lakes, forests denser than in fairy tales and saunas everywhere (3 million saunas for 5.5 million people). FranceFrance isn't just Paris — it's a country where every region has its own identity, cuisine and landscape. GermanyGermany isn't just Berlin and Oktoberfest — it's 16 states, each with its own character. GreeceGreece is the birthplace of Western civilisation's theory, plus 6,000 islands for summer. HungaryHungary is Budapest as "Paris of the East" — Buda and Pest split by the Danube, Széchenyi thermal baths, ruin pubs in old districts. IcelandIceland is volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls and glaciers on a single island the size of Cuba. IrelandIreland is the Emerald Isle — green hills, medieval castles and pubs warmer than the Irish weather. ItalyItaly is a country where even a petrol station can hold two Michelin stars. LatviaLatvia is Riga — a capital with Europe's largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings and a UNESCO Old Town. LiechtensteinLiechtenstein is a principality of 160 km² between Switzerland and Austria (~40,000 people). LithuaniaLithuania is Vilnius with Eastern Europe's largest baroque Old Town (UNESCO), the Curonian Spit — a narrow sandy strip between sea and lagoon (UNESCO), Trakai castle on a lake island, the Hill of Crosses (Kryžių Kalnas). LuxembourgLuxembourg is a tiny duchy (~650,000 people) with the world's highest GDP per capita. MaltaMalta is a tiny island with 7,000 years of history — from megalithic temples older than the pyramids to British colonial style. MoldovaMoldova is Europe's least known country — Cricova and Mileștii Mici wineries (the world's largest wine collection), Orheiul Vechi cave monastery, Soviet Tiraspol (Transnistria, separatist region). MonacoMonaco is the world's second-smallest country (2 km²) — luxury, Monte Carlo Casino, Formula 1 GP and the Grimaldi princely palace. MontenegroMontenegro is mini-Croatia — Kotor Fjord (UNESCO, southern Europe's only true fjord), medieval Budva and Sveti Stefan, Durmitor National Park with Europe's deepest canyon (Tara). NetherlandsThe Netherlands isn't just Amsterdam — it's a country of bikes, canals, tulips and world-class museums. North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia is an underrated Balkan country — Skopje with quirky "Skopje 2014" architecture, Lake Ohrid (UNESCO) with 365 churches around it, the Sharr and Pelister mountains for trekking. NorwayNorway is fjords, Northern Lights and prices that can sting. PolandPoland is Central Europe in a nutshell — medieval Kraków with Wawel Castle, gothic Gdańsk on the Baltic, the Tatras for trekking, the Masurian Lake District with 2,000 lakes and modern Warsaw. PortugalPortugal has become one of Europe's most fashionable destinations — and for good reason. RomaniaRomania is medieval Transylvania with Dracula's castle, wild Carpathians with bears, painted monasteries in Bukovina and pulsing Bucharest. RussiaRussia is the world's largest country (17M km², 11 time zones) — Moscow with Red Square, Saint Petersburg with tsarist splendour (Hermitage), the Trans-Siberian railway to Vladivostok, Lake Baikal. San MarinoSan Marino is the world's oldest republic (founded 301 AD) and one of the smallest states — an Italian enclave with 33,000 people and 61 km². SerbiaSerbia is Balkan hospitality, rakija on arrival and a history caught between East and West. SlovakiaSlovakia is High Tatras peaks, dozens of medieval castles and authentic Central Europe at friendly prices. SloveniaSlovenia is Europe's most underrated country — Alps, Adriatic and caves in a country the size of a small region. SpainSpain isn't one country but six packed in a single suitcase. SwedenSweden is design, forests and 268,000 lakes. Stockholm is "Venice of the North" spread across 14 islands, Gothenburg is the second-largest port with great food, Lapland in the north — Northern Lights in winter, midnight… SwitzerlandSwitzerland is alpine paradise with Europe's most expensive currency — but every franc pays back in views. UkraineUkraine has been at war since 2022 — western and central tourism partially operates, but travel warnings apply. United KingdomBritain is four countries in one package. London — a world capital where you can easily spend a week without repeating anything. VaticanVatican City is the world's smallest country (0.49 km², ~800 people) — the Pope's seat and centre of the Catholic Church.

AlgeriaAlgeria is Africa's largest country (2.4M km²) — the Sahara, Roman ruins at Timgad and Djemila (UNESCO), Algiers with its kasbah. AngolaAngola is Africa's hidden gem — still little visited after a long civil war (1975-2002). BeninBenin is the birthplace of voodoo and the former Kingdom of Dahomey — Ouidah (UNESCO, slavery memorial), Cotonou (economic centre). BotswanaBotswana is luxury safari in the Okavango Delta (water in the middle of the Kalahari desert, UNESCO) — one of the best ecosystems for elephants (Chobe has Africa's largest elephant population, 130,000) and the Big Five. Burkina FasoBurkina Faso is a Sahel country — Ouagadougou (capital), traditional villages, the FESPACO film festival. BurundiBurundi is a small country on Lake Tanganyika — Bujumbura (capital), the Royal Drummers of Burundi (UNESCO). CameroonCameroon is "Africa in miniature" — desert in the north, savannah in the centre, tropical jungle in the south, Atlantic beaches, West Africa's highest peak (Mount Cameroon, 4,040m, active volcano). Central African Rep.The Central African Republic is in chronic instability — Bangui (capital), jungle, forest elephants. ChadChad is a Sahel country — Lake Chad (shrinking), N'Djamena Park, the Sahara in the north. ComorosThe Comoros is a volcanic archipelago in the Mozambique Channel — Moroni (capital), the active Karthala volcano, rich flora (ylang-ylang). CongoThe Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) means jungle and lowland gorillas — Odzala-Kokoua National Park, the Congo River. Côte d'IvoireCôte d'Ivoire is West Africa's economic powerhouse — Abidjan is the modern economic capital ("Paris of West Africa") with skyscrapers, Grand-Bassam beaches (UNESCO, former colonial capital), Yamoussoukro with the world's… DjiboutiDjibouti is a small country on the Horn of Africa — Lake Assal (Africa's lowest point, -155m), whale shark diving, capital Djibouti City. DR CongoThe Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa's 2nd-largest country — Congo jungle, gorillas (Virunga National Park with active Nyiragongo volcano). EgyptEgypt is really two different countries in one. The interior — Cairo, the pyramids, Luxor — is classic archaeology and a mandatory tick on every list. Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea is a wealthy oil country with an authoritarian regime — Malabo (capital on Bioko island), Pico Basile volcano. EritreaEritrea is an authoritarian regime ("Africa's North Korea") — Asmara (UNESCO, Italian colonial architecture), Red Sea coast. EswatiniEswatini (formerly Swaziland) is Africa's last absolute monarchy — traditional Umhlanga and Incwala festivals, Hlane National Parks (safari), capital Mbabane. EthiopiaEthiopia is the only African country never (long-term) colonised, the homeland of coffee (Kaffa) and human ancestors (Lucy, 3.2M years). GabonGabon is 90% tropical forest — Loango National Park with forest elephants on the beach (!), Libreville (capital). GambiaThe Gambia is mainland Africa's smallest country — a narrow strip along the Gambia River, British colonial heritage, beaches. GhanaGhana is the gateway to West Africa — a stable democracy, English-speaking, safe. GuineaGuinea (Conakry) means the Fouta Djallon mountains ("the water of West Africa" — sources of the Niger and Senegal rivers), Conakry (the capital on the Atlantic). Guinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau is the Bijagós archipelago (UNESCO biosphere, marine hippos!), Bissau (capital). KenyaKenya is classic African safari in elegant form. Masai Mara — the Great Wildebeest Migration (July-October) is one of nature's greatest spectacles on Earth, Amboseli has elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background, Lake… LesothoLesotho is "the Kingdom in the Sky" — an enclave within South Africa, entirely above 1,400m (the world's highest country), with Southern Africa's highest peak (Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482m). LiberiaLiberia was founded by freed slaves from the US (1847) — Monrovia (capital, named after President Monroe), Robertsport surfing. LibyaLibya has been in chaos since Gaddafi's fall (2011) — Leptis Magna (UNESCO, some of the world's best-preserved Roman ruins), the Sahara. MadagascarMadagascar is the world's fourth-largest island, where 90% of species live nowhere else. MalawiMalawi is "the warm heart of Africa" — the continent's most hospitable country on Lake Malawi (Africa's 3rd-deepest, with 1,000 endemic fish species), excellent diving and stress-free beaches (Cape Maclear, Nkhata Bay). MaliMali is the former great empire — Timbuktu (UNESCO, the cradle of Islamic scholars), Djenné (the world's largest mud-brick building). MauritaniaMauritania is the gateway to the Sahara — the Iron Ore Train (3 km long, the world's longest!), Banc d'Arguin (UNESCO, a bird paradise), Atar (desert oases). MauritiusMauritius is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean — postcard beaches, turquoise lagoons, coral reef around the whole island. MoroccoMorocco feels like a separate continent four hours from Europe. MozambiqueMozambique is 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline — white beaches, coral reefs and Portuguese heritage. NamibiaNamibia is Africa's desert icon — the red Sossusvlei dunes (the world's tallest, 300m), the surreal dry forest of Deadvlei with 900-year-old camelthorn trees, Etosha Park for safari, the Skeleton Coast with colonial Swakopmund. NigerNiger is a Sahel and Sahara country — Niamey (capital), the Aïr mountains, Ténéré desert volcanic craters, Tuareg tribal festivals. NigeriaNigeria is Africa's most populous country (220M) and largest economy — Lagos (chaotic megacity, Nollywood), Abuja (planned capital). RwandaRwanda is "Africa's Singapore" — the continent's cleanest and safest country, fully rebuilt after the 1994 genocide. SenegalSenegal is the gateway to French-speaking West Africa — Dakar is a lively capital, Gorée Island (UNESCO) is the symbolic slave gateway, Djoudj Park (UNESCO) holds 3 million migratory birds, Saly beach is a classic resort. Sierra LeoneSierra Leone has Atlantic beaches (Tokeh, River No.2 — some of West Africa's most beautiful) and Freetown (capital). SomaliaSomalia has been without a stable government since 1991 — pirates, al-Shabaab, clan warfare. South AfricaSouth Africa is "a world in one country" — and the slogan holds up. South SudanSouth Sudan is the world's youngest country (2011) — civil war, humanitarian crisis. SudanSudan has been in civil war since 2023 — Khartoum (devastated), the Meroë pyramids (more than in Egypt!), desert. TanzaniaTanzania is two destinations in one: safari on land and Zanzibar at sea. TogoTogo is a narrow country between Ghana and Benin — Lomé (capital on the Gulf of Guinea), the Tamberma mountains with Batammariba mud fortress houses (UNESCO). TunisiaTunisia is the most liberal Arab country — white villages, ruins of Carthage, the Sahara and Mediterranean beaches in one cheap package. UgandaUganda is "the Pearl of Africa" according to Churchill — mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park ($800 permit, cheaper than Rwanda), the source of the Nile in Jinja, Murchison Falls Park with lions and elephants, Lake Victoria. W. SaharaWestern Sahara is a disputed territory (Morocco vs Polisario) — mostly desert, little tourism. ZambiaZambia is the other side of Victoria Falls (Livingstone) — often more authentic than the Zimbabwean side. ZimbabweZimbabwe is Victoria Falls (one of the world's largest waterfalls, UNESCO), Great Zimbabwe (medieval ruins of the Munhumutapa kingdom, 11th-15th c.), Hwange National Park with one of the largest elephant populations, and…

AfghanistanAfghanistan is under Taliban rule (since 2021) — tourism practically closed to foreigners. ArmeniaArmenia is the world's first Christian state (301 AD) with medieval monasteries carved into cliffs (Geghard, Tatev, Khor Virap) and views of biblical Mt. AzerbaijanAzerbaijan is a fascinating mix of Islamic culture and oil wealth. BahrainBahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf — smaller and more affordable than its neighbours (UAE, Qatar), and more liberal. BangladeshBangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries (170M in 148,000 km²), practically skipped by tourists. BhutanBhutan is the "Gross National Happiness" country — a Buddhist Himalayan kingdom with a mandatory $100/day SDF fee (controlled tourism). BruneiBrunei is a small wealthy sultanate on Borneo — Bandar Seri Begawan (the capital) with the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the stilt village of Kampong Ayer, Ulu Temburong jungle. CambodiaCambodia is Angkor Wat — the world's largest religious complex hidden in jungle — plus the traumatic history of the Khmer Rouge. ChinaChina is a continent in itself — from the Great Wall to Tibet, from futuristic Shanghai to Yangshuo's fishing villages. CyprusCyprus is a Mediterranean island with 320 sunny days a year, split between the Greek south and Turkish north. GeorgiaGeorgia is the Caucasus' last secret — vineyards (wine's cradle, 8,000 years), the Caucasus mountains for trekking (Kazbek, Ushba), cliff-carved monasteries (Vardzia, David Gareja) and a cuisine you've never tasted… Hong KongHong Kong is a vertical city of Victoria Peak views, dim sum, neon-lit Mong Kok, and Lantau's giant Buddha — the best of East-meets-West. IndiaIndia isn't visited — India is survived. 1.4 billion people, 22 official languages, every state a different world. IndonesiaIndonesia is 17,000 islands stretched 5,000 km along the equator — bigger than the United States. IranIran is Persia — one of the world's oldest civilisations (5,000 years) and some of the most hospitable people despite the difficult politics. IraqIraq is the cradle of civilisation (Mesopotamia, Babylon, Ur) — cautiously opening to tourists after years of war. IsraelIsrael is the history of three religions in one small country. JapanJapan is a country where a train one minute late gets an official apology. JordanJordan is Petra — the rose-red city carved into rock (one of the 7 New Wonders of the World) — plus Wadi Rum (desert from "The Martian" and "Dune"), the Dead Sea and Roman ruins at Jerash. KazakhstanKazakhstan is the world's 9th-largest country (and the largest landlocked) with steppes, the Tian Shan mountains and Baikonur Cosmodrome. KuwaitKuwait is a wealthy oil emirate in the Persian Gulf — Kuwait City with Kuwait Towers and the Grand Mosque, underground souks, coast. KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan is "Central Asia's Switzerland" — the Tian Shan mountains cover 90% of the country, Lake Issyk-Kul (world's second-largest mountain lake), nomads still live in yurts. LaosLaos is Thailand and Vietnam's quiet, lazy neighbour — Luang Prabang (UNESCO) with the Buddhist morning alms ceremony, the Plain of Jars (megalithic mystery), Kuang Si waterfalls with turquoise pools, the Mekong River as… LebanonLebanon is "Middle East's Switzerland" in crisis — rich history (Phoenicians, Romans, Crusaders), excellent cuisine (hummus, tabbouleh) and people who know how to party despite everything. MacauMacau is "the Vegas of Asia" with Portuguese colonial heritage in the UNESCO old town and the world's largest casinos on the Cotai Strip. MalaysiaMalaysia is two different Malaysias: the peninsula with Kuala Lumpur, beaches and colonial Penang, plus Borneo with jungle and orangutans. MaldivesThe Maldives is 1,192 coral islands scattered across Indian Ocean atolls, mostly 1-2 metres above sea level. MongoliaMongolia is steppe, nomads in yurts and Genghis Khan — a vast country (1.56 million km²) with fewer people than many capital cities. MyanmarMyanmar (Burma) is the magic of thousands of golden pagodas and fewer tourists than neighbouring countries — since 2021 the military junta and civil war discourage many, but some regions still operate. NepalNepal is the roof of the world — 8 of 14 eight-thousanders, including Mount Everest (8,848m). North KoreaNorth Korea is the world's most closed country — Pyongyang (capital with monumental Soviet architecture), the DMZ. OmanOman is the quiet, safe, authentic Middle East without Dubai's gigantism. PakistanPakistan is Asia's hidden gem — the Karakoram with the world's second peak K2 (8,611m), the Hunza valley ("Shangri-La"), Lahore with Mughal architecture (UNESCO), Mohenjo-daro with the Indus Valley civilisation. PalestinePalestine is the West Bank and Gaza Strip — Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity), Jericho (the world's oldest city), Hebron (the Tomb of the Patriarchs). PhilippinesThe Philippines is 7,641 islands and probably the cheeriest nation in Asia — Anglo charm after Spanish Catholics. QatarQatar is a wealthy emirate — Doha with the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif, futuristic architecture. 2022 World Cup host. Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia opened to tourism in 2019 — Mecca and Medina are accessible only to Muslims, but the rest is open to all. SingaporeSingapore is a city-state the size of a district, but the density of experiences is unmatched. South KoreaSouth Korea is K-pop, kimchi and the world's fastest internet — Seoul is a modern metropolis with Joseon palaces and Gangnam, Busan is the second city with beaches and a fish market, Jeju island is a subtropical paradise with Mt. Sri LankaSri Lanka is small India with a better climate and less chaos. SyriaSyria has been in civil war since 2011 — Damascus (one of the world's oldest capitals), Palmyra (UNESCO, partly destroyed), Aleppo. TaiwanTaiwan is "the China you didn't know" — a democratic island with Asia's best street food, high mountains (Yushan at 3,952m) and hot springs. TajikistanTajikistan is the Pamir mountains ("the Roof of the World") and the Pamir Highway — one of the world's most spectacular routes. ThailandThailand is the veteran of Asian backpacking — cheaper, easier and tastier is hard to find. Timor-LesteTimor-Leste is Asia's youngest country (independence 2002) — Dili is the capital, excellent diving and Coral Triangle reefs. TurkeyTurkey is the bridge between Europe and Asia — literally (the Bosphorus) and culturally. TurkmenistanTurkmenistan is an authoritarian regime — Ashgabat (a marble city of Guinness records), the Gates of Hell (a burning gas crater in the Karakum desert since 1971). UAEThe United Arab Emirates is Dubai plus the rest — and let's be honest, most tourists pick Dubai. UzbekistanUzbekistan is the heart of the Silk Road — Samarkand with Registan Square, Bukhara is a living medieval city, Khiva is an open-air museum. VietnamVietnam stretches 1,600 km vertically, so climate flips between north and south. YemenYemen has been in civil war since 2014 — Sana'a (UNESCO, mud-brick towers), Socotra (the world's most alien island with dragon blood trees).

ArgentinaArgentina is Buenos Aires with tango and the world's best steaks, Patagonia with Perito Moreno glacier and Fitz Roy mountains, Iguazú from the Brazilian side (waterfalls), Mendoza with Malbec wineries. BahamasThe Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands in the Atlantic — turquoise sea, white beaches and the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay (Instagram famous). BelizeBelize is the English-speaking country in Central America — the world's second barrier reef (Belize Barrier Reef, UNESCO), the Great Blue Hole, the Mayan ruins of Caracol. BoliviaBolivia is the highest country in South America — Salar de Uyuni (the world's largest salt flat, 10,500 km², mirror reflections in rainy season), La Paz at 3,600m (the world's highest de facto capital), Lake Titicaca… BrazilBrazil is bigger than Australia and could swallow half of Europe. CanadaCanada is the world's 2nd-largest country (10M km²) — the Rocky Mountains, grizzly bears, Banff and Jasper lakes, French Quebec, cosmopolitan Toronto and Vancouver. ChileChile is the world's narrowest country — 4,300 km from north to south, from the driest Atacama desert to Patagonian fjords and Antarctica. ColombiaColombia spent years cursed by cartels and FARC, now it's one of South America's fastest-growing destinations — deservedly. Costa RicaCosta Rica is "the Switzerland of Central America" — no army since 1949, 27% of territory in national parks, 5% of the world's biodiversity on 0.03% of the surface. CubaCuba is a treasury of stopped time — Havana with 1950s American cars, colonial architecture, rum, cigars and salsa on every corner. Dominican Rep.The Dominican Republic is Caribbean for every budget — direct charter flights from Europe keep prices low. EcuadorEcuador is "the country on the equator" — small but diverse: Andes with Cotopaxi volcano (5,897m), Amazon, Pacific coast, and most importantly the Galápagos (UNESCO, the archipelago that inspired Darwin's theory, 1,000… El SalvadorEl Salvador is the smallest Central American country, with the region's best surfing (El Tunco, El Zonte) and the world's first country to accept Bitcoin as official currency (2021). GreenlandGreenland is a Danish territory, the world's largest island (80% covered by ice) — Nuuk (capital), Northern Lights, glaciers, the Inuit. GuatemalaGuatemala is the homeland of the Maya — Tikal (UNESCO, gigantic ruins in the jungle, temples up to 70m), Antigua (UNESCO, baroque colonial city surrounded by volcanoes), Lake Atitlán (colourful Maya villages, a lake in a… GuyanaGuyana is Amazon jungle and savannah — Kaieteur Falls (5x taller than Niagara!), Georgetown (colonial capital), the Iwokrama rainforest. HaitiHaiti is the first independent Caribbean state (1804, after a slave revolution) — rich voodoo culture, naive art and an incredibly difficult history. HondurasHonduras is Roatán — a Caribbean island with the world's second barrier reef (Mesoamerican Reef), excellent diving and cheap. JamaicaJamaica is the home of reggae and Bob Marley — vibrant culture, the world's most famous coffee (Blue Mountain), the planet's fastest sprinters (Usain Bolt). MexicoMexico is two countries in one: northern deserts and Baja California, southern jungle and Mayan pyramids. NicaraguaNicaragua is the "land of lakes and volcanoes" — the cheapest and least-known Central America. PanamaPanama is the famous canal — 80 km between oceans (Atlantic-Pacific), 14,000 ships annually, the spectacular Miraflores Locks view. ParaguayParaguay is the least-known country in South America — landlocked, bilingual (Spanish + Guaraní, the indigenous language widely used), with the most pristine Chaco (dry savannah with jaguars). PeruPeru is three countries on three altitudes. Lima and the coast — desert, dry, surprisingly cool (Pacific Ocean fog). SurinameSuriname is the smallest country in South America — a former Dutch colony (the region's only Dutch-speaking country), Paramaribo (UNESCO, a wooden colonial capital), jungle. Trinidad & TobagoTrinidad and Tobago is two different islands — Trinidad is industrial and cultural (the Caribbean's most famous carnival in February, invented the steel pan), Tobago is the quiet beach sister with pristine reefs. UruguayUruguay is "the Switzerland of South America" — the most stable, progressive and safe country in the region. USAThe US isn't one country, it's 50 separate climates on one landmass. VenezuelaVenezuela is Angel Falls (the world's tallest waterfall, 979m), Los Roques (Caribbean paradise) and oil.

AustraliaAustralia is a continent the size of Europe with 26 million people — more space than civilisation here. FijiFiji is 333 islands of tropical paradise — turquoise lagoons, palm trees, swimming with sharks, diving with manta rays. KiribatiKiribati is 33 atolls stretched across 3.5 million km² of ocean (a larger area than India!) — one of the world's least-visited countries. Marshall Is.The Marshall Islands is 29 atolls and 5 islands (181 km² of land across a huge ocean area) — where the US tested atomic bombs (Bikini Atoll, "Castle Bravo" 1954 — 1000x stronger than Hiroshima). MicronesiaThe Federated States of Micronesia is 607 islands scattered across the Pacific (the area of Europe, but only 700 km² of land) — 4 states (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae). NauruNauru is the world's third-smallest country — visit Anibare Bay, Buada Lagoon, and learn about its phosphate-mining history. New CaledoniaNew Caledonia has the world's largest lagoon (UNESCO), unique Kanak culture, and the Isle of Pines' surreal turquoise pools. New ZealandNew Zealand is "Lord of the Rings" as a state — few countries on Earth are so photogenic at every turn. PalauPalau is 340 limestone islands with the legendary Jellyfish Lake (swimming with millions of non-stinging jellyfish, evolutionarily isolated from the ocean), the German Channel (grey reef and whitetip sharks), WWII wrecks… Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea is the world's last wild frontier — 850 languages (one of the world's greatest language diversities), tribes that until recently didn't know the rest of the world existed, roadless jungle, birds of paradise. SamoaSamoa is two volcanic islands at the heart of Polynesia — Apia (capital), swimming with turtles in the To Sua Ocean Trench (turquoise rock pool). Solomon Is.The Solomon Islands is 992 islands in the South Pacific — wreck diving (Iron Bottom Sound from WWII), Honiara (capital). TongaTonga is the last Pacific kingdom (the only one never colonised) — swimming with humpback whales (July-October, one of the few places in the world where it's legal), quiet islands, strong traditional culture. TuvaluTuvalu is the world's fourth-smallest country (26 km², 11,000 people) and one of the least visited — about 2,000 tourists per year. 9 atolls, capital Funafuti on a narrow strip of land (max 4.5m above sea level… VanuatuVanuatu is 83 islands with active volcanoes — Mount Yasur on Tanna Island is one of the few active volcanoes in the world where you can walk up to the crater (lava erupts every few minutes).