1) Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.
The coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas have a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers. In the 21st century Tourism in Turkey has increased almost every year. It is one of the world’s top ten destination countries, with the highest percentage of foreign visitors arriving from Europe. Turkey has 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Antalya is the second most visited city in Turkey. It is home to 519 Blue Flag beaches. Turkey is among the top fifty most innovative countries in the world. There are 40 national parks, 189 nature parks, 31 nature preserve areas, 80 wildlife protection areas, and 109 nature monuments. Turkey’s highest mountain, Mount Ararat has two peaks, with Great Ararat reaching 16,845 feet. Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. It lies in the far east of Turkey, in the provinces of Van and Bitlis in the Armenian highlands.
2) Austria
Austria is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
Austria is one of the richest countries in the world by GDP per capita and one of the countries with the highest standard of living. In 2021, it was ranked 25th worldwide on its Human Development Index. The more significant part of Austria lies in the cool/temperate climate zone. Austria is a largely mountainous country because of its location in the Alps.
‘Red Bull’ the highest-selling energy drink in the world was introduced by an Austrian entrepreneur “Dietrich Mateschitz”. Austria is famous for its castles, palaces, and buildings. Some of Austria’s most famous castles include Festung Hohensalzburg, Burg Hohenwerfen, and Castle Liechtenstein. Sports like Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, and Ski-jumping are very popular in Austria. Vienna is the capital of Austria. It was ranked top in the Quality of Living Ranking by the international Mercer Consulting Group for the tenth consecutive year.
3) Greece
Greece is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
It is considered the cradle of Western civilization, being the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, Western literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, theatre, and the Olympic Games. The country’s rich historical legacy is reflected in part by its 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Greece is one of the most visited countries in the world.
Thessaloniki the second-largest city in Greece was ranked among the top 5 best cities in the world. National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in the list of top tourist destinations worldwide. Greece is a unitary parliamentary republic, and a developed country, with an advanced high-income economy, and a high quality of life, ranking 32nd on the Human Development Index. It is also a member of numerous other international institutions like the Council of Europe, NATO, the OECD, the WTO, and the OSCE. The most popular tourist destination is Acropolis Museum, Santorini, Mykonos, Delphi, and Corfu.
4) Spain
Spain is a country primarily located in southwestern Europe with parts of the territory in the Atlantic Ocean and across the Mediterranean Sea. Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It is home to two world-famous football clubs “Real Madrid” and “Atlético Madrid”.
Cibeles Palace and Fountain have become the monument symbols of the city. In 2010, Spain became the world, solar power leader, when it overtook the United States with a massive power station plant called “Alvarado I”, near Alvarado, Badajoz. Spain is a member of the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In 2017, Spain was the second most visited country in the world. The headquarters of the ” World Tourism Organization” is located in Madrid. Spain is also Europe’s main producer of wind energy. The healthcare system of Spain is considered one of the best in the world. It has 47 World Heritage Sites. Artists from Spain have been highly influential in the development of various European and American artistic movements. The most popular tourist destination in Spain is Palacio Real, La Concha, Aqueduct of Segovia, Cuenca, and Ibiza.
5) Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It has a variety of natural resources and is home to a globally significant level of biodiversity. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) consist of three branches the ‘Philippine Air Force’, ‘Philippine Army’, and ‘Philippine Navy’.
The island of Boracay, popular for its beaches, was named the best island in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2012. The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate that is usually hot and humid. The San Agustín Church in Manila, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa María Church in Ilocos Sur, and Santo Tomás de Villanueva Church in Iloilo are the four Philippine baroque churches that are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Basketball is considered to be the most popular sport in the Philippines. In 2021, the Philippines was ranked 51st in the Global Innovation Index. Cebu is the most visited destination in the Philippines. Cebu boasts fantastic diving around its coastline, beautiful waterfalls that are world famous, paradisiacal white sand beaches, and crystal clear turquoise water. The most popular tourist destination in the Philippines is Rizal Park, Fort Santiago, and Banaue Rice Terraces.
6) South Africa
South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is a developing country, ranking 109th on the Human Development Index, and the 2nd highest in Africa. It has been classified by the World Bank as a newly industrialized country and has the third-largest economy in Africa.
South Africa has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. It contains some of the oldest archaeological and human-fossil sites in the world. Archaeologists have recovered extensive fossil remains from a series of caves in the Gauteng Province. South Africa has a generally temperate climate because it is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country is ranked sixth out of the world’s seventeen megadiverse countries.
Various mammals are found in the Bushveld including Lions, African Leopards, Southern White Rhinos, Hippopotamus, and South African giraffes. South Africa is the only country on the African continent that possesses a Nuclear power plant. The country is one of the largest producers of electricity in the world. South Africa’s most popular sports are association football, rugby union, and cricket. The most popular tourist destination in South Africa is Kruger National Park, Cape Town, and Add Elephant National Park.
7) Indonesia
Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the world’s largest archipelagic state, extending 5,120 kilometers (3,181 mi) from east to west and 1,760 kilometers (1,094 mi) from north to south and the 14th-largest country by area, at 1,904,569 square kilometers (735,358 square miles).
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country. The economy of Indonesia is the world’s 17th-largest by nominal GDP. The country is a member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and G20. In 2017, Indonesia was the world’s 9th largest energy producer. Nature and Culture are prime attractions of Indonesian tourism. It has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites and twelve items of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The most popular sport played in Indonesia are Badminton, Football, Boxing, and Basketball. Indonesia is among the few countries that have won the Thomas and Uber Cup. The most popular tourist destination in Indonesia is Bali, Ubud, and Jakarta. Komodo National Park is one of the most loved places in Indonesia. Komodo National Park has been selected as one of the New7Wonders of Nature and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8) Morocco
Morocco officially the Kingdom of Morocco is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The country is a member of the Arab League, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the African Union. The Majorelle botanical garden in Marrakech is a popular tourist attraction. The garden hosts more than 15 bird species that are endemic to North Africa.
It has many fountains and a notable collection of cacti. Its agricultural production consists of olives, tomatoes, potatoes, and oranges. High-quality agricultural products are usually exported to Europe. Moroccan architecture refers to the architecture characteristic of Morocco throughout its history and up to modern times. It is home to Andalusian classical music that is found throughout Northwest Africa.
Moroccan cuisine is considered one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. The most popular sport played in Morocco are Football and Kickboxing. Morocco is the first Arab and African country to qualify for the second round of the FIFA World Cup. The most popular tourist destination in Morocco is Marrakesh and Casablanca.
9) Australia
Australia is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It has an area of 7,617,930 square kilometers (2,941,300 sq mi). Australia is the largest country by area in Oceania and the world’s sixth-largest country.
It is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, with deserts in the center, tropical rainforests in the northeast, and mountain ranges in the southeast. Australia is a highly developed country with a high-income economy. In 2017, it was ranked fifth in the highest Human Development Index. It has the world’s thirteenth-highest military expenditure. Australia ranks amongst the highest in the world for quality of life, democracy, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, safety, and political rights.
It is a member of ‘The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’, ‘The World Trade Organization’, ‘The Pacific Islands Forum’, and ‘The Pacific Community’. The most popular sport played in Australia are Cricket and Football. Snow sports take place primarily in the Australian Alps and Tasmania. Australia has almost 12,000 beaches.
10) Italy
Italy is a country located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, in Southern Europe. The country is also considered part of Western Europe. Italy is the third-most populous member state of the European Union. It has the tenth-largest nominal GDP in the world.
It ranks highly in life expectancy, quality of life, healthcare, and education. Italy is a founding and leading member of the European Union and a member of numerous international institutions, including the United Nations, NATO, the OECD, the G7, the Latin Union, and the Schengen Area. It has the world’s largest number of World Heritage Sites (58). Italy is the fifth-most visited country in the world.
There are many festivals like Varia di Palmi, Palio di Siena, Holy Week rites, Saracen Joust of Arezzo, and Calcio Fiorentino. The most popular Italian brands in the world are Gucci, Armani, Prada, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Fendi. The fashion magazine “Vogue Italia” is considered one of the most prestigious fashion magazines in the world. The most popular tourist destination in Italy is Rome, Venice, and Florence.