Five Unknown Countries of the World

Usually when you ask someone where they’d like to go some day, they say France, Italy or Spain because of the unique architecture and cultures. But what about the other hidden gems that we are unaware of?

Although they are not advertised or talked about as much, countries out there are just as beautiful and sadly, ignored by the world.

The YouthPaper looks at five different countries on various continents which you should probably check out.

With a population of over five million people, Kyrgyzstan is located in central Asia, west of China and south of Uzbekistan. It is famous for the mountainscapes, so if you’re up for a bit of walking and don’t mind the high altitude, this is the country for you. About 75% of the population are Muslim and the official language of the country is Kyrgyz.

Lake Issyk-Köl is a great place to relax and swim in as it never freezes plus if you’re up for a skiing session, the Alpine vistas could help you practice for the next Winter Olympics. Just like the Ai-Ais Hotsprings, Kyrgyzstan brags its own called the Altyn-Arashan (or the Golden Spar) which is set 3000m in a picturesque alpine valley. Selfies, anyone?

Bragging forests and loads of adventures, Guyana lies between Suriname and Venezuela. It was formerly colonised by the Dutch and later the British in the 17th century, but after the abolition of slavery, it brought Indians to work in the sugar plantations. It gained independence in 1966 from the UK, but only achieved a free and fair election in 1992.

Guyana is mainly a tropical area with two rainy seasons because of the humidity. English is the official language, which makes Guyana the only English-speaking country in South America because of its history with the British.

With a population of less than a million people, that means less traffic, right? Despite the political tensions, the eco-tourism destinations makes Guyana quite popular among tourists.

Love waterfalls? The Kaieteur Falls will have you in awe, as long as you don’t fall! If you’re up for new types of food, Shanta’s in the capital city of Georgetown provides chokas (roasted vegetables), roti or various curries.

Into architecture? You might spot the world’s tallest wooden building which is the St George’s Cathedral if you’re up for a walk through Georgetown. When it’s hot, whip out your beach apparel and head over to Shell Beach to cool off.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in southeastern Europe and has produced quite a number of athletes who have competed in the Olympics. Winter lasts for a long time and gets pretty harsh, but summers, especially in areas of high elevation, are short and cool.

Official languages include Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian while a high percentage of people are Muslim. Although current issues include air pollution and destructive earthquakes, the population of 3.8 million takes pride in the world famous Stari Most (or Old Bridge) in the city of Mostar.

Taking a walk through the Tunnel Museum would also be a great way to understand the war in the 1990s or if you’re up for a challenge, you could mountain bike through the terrain. Local foods include Bosnian coffee or juniper sherbet while listening to sevdah (the traditional Bosnian music).

Kiribati is based in the Pacific Ocean halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Formerly known as the Gilbert Islands, about 100 000 I-Kiribati live there with most being of the Roman Catholic faith. Official langauges include Kiribati and English, so you won’t have a huge struggle understanding the locals.

Natural hazards includes typhoons which are spontaneous as well as occasional tornadoes.

Kiribati achieved independence on 12 July 1979 and its current president is Anote Tong, who as been the chief of state since 2003.

Tourist attractions include the Tarawa Atoll, a two-sided triangle-shaped centre based in Kiribati. Butaritari is one of the islands which boasts fruits such as coconuts and breadfruits.

Being the site of a brutal World War II war, the remains and wreckages can still be found along the coastlines. It’s certainly not all doom and gloom, as the surrounding turquoise lagoons bring a sense of calm plus cars, bars and even the internet have made their way to the islands.

In true island style, Kiribati is a wonderful place to relax when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Said to be one of the countries where you would find some of the friendliest locals, Uzbekistan was conquered by Russia in the 19th century but gained independence in 1991. Located right above Afghanistan in central Asia, the capital city of Uzbekistan is Tashkent and tourist attractions include beautiful fortresses and mosques as well as the Nuratau Mountains. Its official language is Uzbek with about 14% of the population speaking Russian. Most of the population (over 28 million people) are Muslim. When you’re not at the main opera and ballet theatre, you might want to check out the Kalon Minaret, one of the tallest buildings in Asia.

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