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Are you a geography expert? Do you know about the unknown countries of the world? Why not challenge yourself and identify the names and fun facts of how many hidden counties you know? This blog covers the top then hidden countries of the world. You may have overlooked these countries in your day-to-day life. They may have never shown up on the news channels or on your travel bucket list. However, these hidden countries may not be known but have their own rich culture, history, education, and lifestyle that you may like to explore.
Table of Contents
List of Top 10 Unknown Countries in the World
| Country | Area in sq km | Continent |
| Tuvalu | 26 | Oceania |
| Nauru | 21 | Oceania |
| Kiribati | 811 | Oceania |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 964 | Africa |
| Comoros | 2,235 | Africa |
| Djibouti | 23,200 | Africa |
| Timor-Leste | 14,919 | Asia |
| Suriname | 163,821 | South America |
| Andorra | 468 | Europe |
| Liechtenstein | 160 | Europe |
1. Tuvalu
You may have never heard of Tuvalu, and there is a good reason for that. It is located in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia! Tuvalu is one of the unknown countries of the world. It consists of 9 Islands in an area of 26 sq kilometres. In the year 2014, the country only welcomed 1 visitor.
You should consider visiting this place as it has vibrant marine life and is the perfect place for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. You can enjoy the traditional music and fatele, the famous storytelling dance. Its country code ‘.TV’ is internationally sought after by broadcasters.
2. Nauru
What is the world’s smallest Island country? It is Nauru! This island country is one of the unknown countries of the world. It is situated in Micronesia and is known for its coral reefs. This was a prosperous country as a result of phosphate mining. However, it later became depleted of its natural resources. 95% of the people in the country are overweight. The country also doesn’t have a capital city, no armed forces and only 1 aircraft! You can explore this country to check out the diverse marine species.
3. Kiribati
Kiribati is an Island country situated in the Pacific Ocean, and straddles the equator. This is one of the unknown countries of the world and has 33 atolls and reef islands. As you guessed, this country is known for its rich marine biodiversity and stunning beaches.
Want to know a fun fact about Kiribati? Kiribati was the first country to enter the new millennium. The country adjusted its time zone to be the earliest to enter 2000. This is also the only country to reside in all four hemispheres- North, South, West, and East. The drawback? You may like to be cautious of the weather if you ever even think about travelling.
4. São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe is located near Central Africa. It is the second smallest country in the African continent. It comes under the list of the unknown countries of the world. These islands are known for their biodiversity. For example, it is home to endemic species, and even the sunbird and Ibis. The islands are known as the Chocolate Islands, owing to their massive coca production. You might want to learn Portuguese before visiting, as it is their official language.
5. Comoros
Comoros is a country situated in the Indian Ocean that you may have never heard of. It is also one of the most unknown countries in the world. It is squeezed between Mozambique and Madagascar and is known for its aromatic plant life. Due to the plant life, this country is often called the “Perfume Isles.”. Comoros produces a key ingredient in many perfumes (ylang-ylang) and boasts diverse marine ecosystems.
It is one of the few countries to face 20 coups since its 1975 independence from France. The country has 3 official languages: Arabic, Comorian, and French.
6. Djibouti
Djibouti is strategically situated in the Horn of Africa. It is one of the unknown countries of the world. Djibouti not only has a breathtaking landscape but also the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The Lac Assal, the crater lake, is one of the saltiest in the world. The country has several foreign military bases. The Afar Triangle, the meeting point of three tectonic plates, is located here. However, there are no permanent rivers. Therefore, water is taken from underground reservoirs or seasonal lakes.
7. Timor-Leste
Timpor-Leste is one of the most unknown countries of the world. However, you may have heard of its name due to the Portuguese colonisation for over 400 years. This is a young country located in Southeast Asia. Just like other countries on this list, Timor-Leste also has rich marine biodiversity and pristine beaches. It also has a rich cultural diversity. You can connect with friendly locals and explore Dili, its capital city. This country is less explored mainly because of a lack of infrastructure and accommodation facilities.
8. Suriname
Suriname is the smallest continent in South America. It is one of the most unknown countries of the world. Suriname has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population. However, 90% of the country is covered by rainforest. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Central Suriname Nature Reserve has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is the only country outside Europe to keep Dutch as its main language. The country’s capital is Paramaribo, a place that has both a mosque and a synagogue situated right next to each other.
9. Andorra
Andorra is located in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. This tiny principality is one of the unknown countries of the world. Why is it unknown? Well, the reason for it is its small size. The country is just 468 sq kilometres and does not have international recognition like other European countries. Moreover, the mountainous terrain makes it less accessible. In Andorra, you can benefit from tax-free shopping. You can also visit Ski resorts, and get to know the Catalan culture.
10. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is located between Austria and Switzerland. This alpine principality is one of the most unknown countries of the world. Liechtenstein is a lesser-known country due to its small size. It is only 160 square kilometres. Moreover, the country does not advertise excessively for tourism, and there is limited direct transportation.
However, you might be surprised to know it is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. The credit for this goes to its well-developed banking sector and manufacturing industry focused on machinery and textiles. In this country you will get to visit stunning landscapes filled with castles, and beautiful villages.
FAQs
A hidden country means a country that is lesser known. A hidden country might be located in a remote location or may fall under the radar due to geographical isolation, political situation or small size.
Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, and Kiribati are some of the most unknown countries of the world. You may also have not heard about São Tomé and Príncipe, Suriname, and Andorra. These countries are isolated or less visited due to their smaller size, or geographical location.
The most unusual country in the world is Kiribati. This country falls in all four hemispheres- Eastern, Southern, Northern and Western hemispheres. Vatican City is also an unusual country because it is the smallest state in terms of population and area.
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That is all about the largest country in the world by area! If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our general knowledge page!
