Veedushi Bissessur

Kuwait is a small country at the very top of the Persian Gulf, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. Thanks to its strategic location and oil reserves, Kuwait is, according to the World Bank, the world's fourth richest country per capita.

The Kingdom of Lesotho is completely encircled by the Republic of South Africa, and is similar to an alpine country — it even has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters that often see snow and welcome the possibility of skiing. As its full name suggests, Lesotho has a monarchy, and King Letsie III is currently the Head of State. However, the monarch has no legislative or executive powers.

Bordered by Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia is Africa's oldest republic, but it gained itself a bad reputation towards the end of the 20th century for its long-running and brutal 14-year civil war — around a quarter of a million people were killed, and many thousands fled. Liberia's rebellion in Sierra Leone also didn't set it in good steed, then Liberians experienced another deadly conflict in 2014 — the Ebola virus.

The State of Libya is a country located in North Africa, and forms part of the Maghreb region, with Egypt to the East, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. It is one of the largest countries in Africa, with a population of over 6.4 million, and is rich in oil and a very ancient history. Tripoli is its capital, and the official language is Arabic, and the major religion is Islam. The currency is the Libyan dinar. Libya is currently politically unstable, and has been suffering from a civil war and ongoing conflict in the last few years. It is also a major crossover for people fleeing their country and heading towards Europe.

Situated to the south of the Baltic Sea, Lithuania is a Northern European country that regained independence in 1991 following Soviet occupation. A vast majority of the population are of Lithuanian ethnicity, though there are some residents from surrounding countries. While there are a few significant urban areas, around a third of the country is forested.

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked south-east African country that is bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. After suffering decades of corruption, underdevelopment, and the impact of the HIV-Aids virus (more than one million children are orphaned by the disease), it is making efforts to revive its economy for the sake of its population of over 18 million people.

The Maldives is a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean, which forms an archipelagic nation, surrounded by coral reefs and crystal clear waters.

Mali is a landlocked, predominantly desert country in West Africa and, at 1.25 million km², it is one of the largest countries on the continent. For centuries, its northern city of Timbuktu was a centre of Islamic culture and a main trading post in the region. Its arid landscapes, magnificent monuments, and remote Dogon villages, which cling to the cliffs, are a sight to behold. However, most of Mali's extensive offerings are now off-limits to travellers, and the country is struggling to look after its 18 million citizens.

Halfway between Australia and Hawaii lies a group of 1,152 islands and 30 atolls known as the Marshall Islands, boasting breathtaking seascapes and offering some of the best wreck diving spots in the world. But due to their remote location, the islands are still hidden from mainstream tourism and are, in many ways, an explorer’s dream destination.

Bordered by Senegal, Mali, Algeria, and Western Sahara, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania bridges western sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab Maghreb. The 1.04 million km² country lies across one of the great trans-Saharan trade routes and, although it is one of the largest territories on the continent, it also has one of the world's lowest population densities.

The Federated States of Micronesia is a country of 607 islands scattered across the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Diversity is inherent in the region with each island state offering a different type of adventure. There are four island states: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae — each distinctive and intriguing in its own way.

Sharing land borders with South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Tanzania, the Republic of Mozambique is a relatively undeveloped Southern African paradise that prides itself on its pristine beaches that are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Formerly known as “Pleasant Island”, Nauru proudly holds the title of the smallest independent island republic in the world. Located in the Central Pacific Ocean and belonging to the subregion of Micronesia, the island covers the area of just 21 square kilometres.

Nepal is a gorgeous country and a paradise for mountain climbers. In fact, if you add up all the summits in Nepal, they would achieve a height of more than 1,500,000 meters above sea level. In the last few years, Nepal has become a favorite destination for Asian tourism. It is a country full of mysticism and ancestral customs, characteristic of a people who live in the shadow of the Great Himalayas. One interesting tidbit: the Nepali flag is the only one in the world to not be square-shaped.

Ranked by the United Nations Human Development Index in 2015 as one of the world's least developed nations (it came 187th out of 188 countries), the landlocked country of Niger is home to over 20 million people and has one of the fastest population growth rates in the world. As a victim of political instability and chronic food shortages caused by natural crises, such as drought, locust infestations and floods, this large West African nation receives a great deal of international support in the form of debt relief and foreign aid.

Located right above South Korea and bordered to the north by China and Russia, North Korea (also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is a communist regime in East Asia, and is rigidly controlled. It has a population of around 25 million, with a life expectancy of 66 years for men, and 72 for women. The capital city is Pyongyang and the main language is Korean, but there are no religions that prevail in North Korea, and it is officially considered a secular country.

The Northern Mariana Islands are the Commonwealth of the United States in the northwestern Pacific Ocean comprising 15 islands. The region has gained tourist acclaim thanks to its fascinating scuba diving and snorkelling in a sea with vivid marine life and shipwrecks from World War II.

Dubbed “the underwater Serengeti”, the Republic of Palau is one of the world's best diving destinations. Comprising a total of 200 limestone and volcanic islands in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau attracts travellers with its wild natural beauty of lush green forests and calm turquoise lagoons.

A country that has inspired hundreds of books, Papua New Guinea is one of the least explored regions in the world often referred to as “the Last Unknown”. With its rugged terrain, some parts of the country were not mapped until the 1930s, and even today it is believed that Papua New Guinea may be home to some undiscovered species of flora and fauna.

Located in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is a US territory and, as such, entry requirements for would-be expats are the same as for the United States. However, US citizens can travel to and from Puerto Rico without either a passport or visa. The country's year-round tropical climate and sandy beaches make it appealing to both tourists and expats.

Sierra Leone is a relatively small country in West Africa boasting over 400 kilometres of coastline. The country has borders with Guinea and Liberia and is one of West Africa’s most unknown beach destinations.

Said to be the country exactly in the middle of Europe, Slovakia has been an independent state since 1993, after parting ways with the Czech Republic (also one of the five bordering countries). Known for its mountains and castles, the romantic landscape perfectly fits with Slovakia’s pronounced seasons — summer days can reach exceed the 30°C and winter temperatures are brisk at around -3°C.

A relatively small European country, Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe. Once a part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia became an independent state in 1991, after a short ten-day battle.

The Solomon Islands is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean located east of Papua New Guinea. The region has many World War II sites and is known for its excellent diving spots.

Located on the so-called “Horn of Africa”, Somalia shares its borders with Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya. The country used to be a magnet for travellers with its fascinating culture, pristine mountain treks, and sandy beaches. However, today, Somalia is off limits for foreign travellers due to a turbulent internal situation, which makes individual travel in the country impossible.

South Sudan is landlocked between Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic. Its capital is Juba, and the currency is the Sudanese pound. The Republic of South Sudan only obtained its independence in 2011, following Africa's longest civil war. Despite the separation from Sudan, conflict did not end after South Sudan obtained its independence.

Sudan is the third largest country in Africa, but it is far from being a popular or easily-accessible travel destination. Sharing its borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, and Libya, Sudan is not an easy country to get into but offers a memorable experience for those who do enter the country.

Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America, and is located in the northern part of South America. Covering an area of just 163,821 km2, Suriname is a space of rolling hills, mangrove swamps, lush rainforests, and rivers.

Swaziland is a monarchy in southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa and one of the last monarchies in the world. Even though the country has not entirely escaped the turbulence of the region, Swaziland is considered one of Africa’s most peaceful countries.

The Syrian Arab Republic is located in Western Asia, with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon as neighbours. Damascus is its capital, and the Syrian Lira or Syrian pound is the currency. Syria has been suffering from conflict that started in 2011 as peaceful protests, eventually leading to an ongoing devastating civil war.

The island of Taiwan is located off the east coast of China, north of the Philippines. It has a developed economy based primarily on the science and engineering sectors. Expats living and working in Taiwan can enjoy the tropical landscape on the island as well as the surrounding region with its extensive transport network.

The Kingdom of Tonga is an independent state comprising over 170 islands affectionately referred to as “the Friendly Islands”. Tonga is not your typical tourist destination — far from it. What the region offers is a laid-back lifestyle, unspoilt natural wonders and unfailing authenticity, which make up for the lack of the modern tourist amenities.

Formerly known as Turkmenia, Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia and borders Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Caspian Sea. The country was once a desert republic filled with grandiose statues of its leader, but today, Turkmenistan is more open to visitors.

Tuvalu, a group of islands and atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, is the fourth smallest country in the world and one of the most remote island nations. Its miniature size and remote location have allowed Tuvalu to remain one of the most peaceful and unspoilt island groups in the Pacific, offering a real getaway for those willing to travel the distance. With so much stunning coastline surrounding you, snorkelling and scuba diving seem to be the best activities to indulge in.

Ukraine is Europe’s second largest country, after Russia, with seven UNESCO World Heritage sites on its 603,628 square kilometres land. Ukraine borders with Russia (east), Belarus (north), Poland (north-west), Slovakia, and Moldova (west). In the south of Ukraine is the Black Sea, which among other rivers is supplied by one of Europe’s longest rivers, Danube.

After Suriname, Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America. But don’t let the size fool you. Translated from Guarani as the “river of colourful birds”, the country is a stunning mix of lush inland greenery and white sandy coastline. For its stable social development, an established democracy and a free education system, Uruguay has received another nickname — “the Switzerland of South America”.

Officially the smallest country in the world, by area as well as by population, Vatican City is a sovereign state located in Rome, Italy. It is ruled by the Pope, and is an independent city-state. It has a population of approximately 1,000 people, and an area of 110 acres (or 44 hectares). The Vatican's economy is maintained by the tourist industry, museum fees, and publication sales.

The Republic of Yemen is a Middle-eastern country located in Western Asia with an area of 527,970 km square and a population of about 28 million. Bordered by Saudia Arabia, Oman, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, Yemen was always an important crossroad connecting Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and has a long history of great kingdoms and ancient civilisations. In fact, Yemen was once home to the Sabaeans people, an ancient people related to the biblical Kingdom of Sheba from the 11th century BCE. Currently however, Yemen is a developing country suffering from the repercussions of a civil war.