Travel Off-the-Beaten Roads in ‘Countries That Do Not Exist’
What greater adventure is there than to venture to places not yet explored by men? In an era when the lines between countries are blurred and it's easier than ever to touch down on the most beautiful places in the planet, traveling to a country that does not even exist is the ultimate undertaking.
According to a report from CNN, travel author and Oxford University geography fellow Nick Middleton has compiled a list of these unrecognized and unexplored corners of the planet in his book "An Atlas of Countries That Don't Exist: A Compendium of Fifty Unrecognized and Largely Unnoticed States".
"Everyone's familiar with the political world map," he pointed out. "It looks as if the entire planet's surface is carved up, every square centimeter accounted for -- which it is, in one sense."
Middleton added, "But what that map doesn't show you is the large number of wannabe nation states, which are also there, but seldom get a look in. They're all intriguing in their own different ways."
While the majority of the world is focusing on worn-in paths of the most well-known destinations, travelers seeking a new frontier will find fulfilment in visiting these untouched countries that are not quite part of the mainstream world just yet. Each non-existent nation offers a unique experience for travelers.
One of the destinations in the report include Mayotte, which is about 8,000 kilometers from the famed Paris and administered part of France's European territory. The picture-perfect island is an ideal destination for scuba divers with an array of underwater creatures spotted in its seas, according to a report from Easy Voyage. The tropical landscape and the authentic vibe of Mayotte makes it a great escape, although the unpredictable climate and limited number of hotels and resorts deter many tourists.
Greenland is another nation that isn't recognized as a separate country yet, but as an autonomous region of Denmark. It's not a little-known travel destination anymore, but there is still a lot to do in this not-quite-country, most notably the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ilussant Icefjord.
Antarctica, another famous site, is a continent, but a wide variety of countries have been claiming the far-flung land as their own. While well-known for its brilliant landscape, men have been somewhat limited in its pursuit of Antarctica due to its lack of accessibility for most of the year. For the handful of explorers who make it there, breathtaking sights await from penguins and whales to the endless icy scenery, according to Telegraph.
Other countries that don't exist include Tuva, Somaliland, Catalonia, Elgaland-Vargaland, Atlantium, Mapuche, Isle of Man, Christiania, Seborga and Sealand.
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