Countries You've Never heard of but existed

These countries may not sound familiar to you, but they all actually exist.

1. Kiribati 

Up first is Kiribati, an island nation that became independent from the United Kingdom in 1979.

Kiribati, an island republic in the Central Pacific, comprises 33 coral atolls and isles stretching along the equator. With lagoons and white-sand beaches, many of its islands are uninhabited, offering a remote setting for fishing, diving and bird-watching. The crowded capital, South Tarawa, made up of small islets, retains remnants of WWII battles fought on its shores, and is known for folk dancing and handicrafts.

Capital: South Tarawa

President: Taneti Mamau

Population: 114,395 (2016) World Bank

Currencies: Australian dollar, Kiribati dollar

2. Andorra

 Andorra is a tiny, independent principality situated between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains. It’s known for its ski resorts and a tax-haven status that encourages duty-free shopping. Capital Andorra la Vella has boutiques and jewelers on Meritxell Avenue and several shopping centers. The old quarter, Barri Antic, houses Romanesque Santa Coloma Church, with a circular bell tower.

Capital: Andorra la Vella

Currency: Euro

Recognised languages: Spanish; French; Portuguese

3. Vanuatu

Andorra isn't the best place to travel for a beach vacation, so if you'd like to hit up the waterfront, try visiting the island nation of Vanuatu instead! The country gained its independence in 1980, and now it's just ready and waiting to become your next travel destination.

Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1,300 kilometers. The islands offer scuba diving at coral reefs, underwater caverns and wrecks such as the WWII-era troopship SS President Coolidge. Harborside Port Vila, the nation’s capital and economic center, is on the island of Efate. The city is home to the Vanuatu National Museum, which explores the nation’s Melanesian culture.

Capital: Port Vila

Currency: Vanuatu vatu

Population: 270,402 (2016) World Bank

President: Tallis Obed Moses

Continent: Oceania

Official languages: French, English, Bislama

 

4. Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

If you're looking for vacation ideas, look no further than the beautiful nation of Timor-Leste! The country, which is also known as East Timor because of its being partially located on the eastern half of the island of Timor.

Timor-Leste, or East Timor, a Southeast Asian nation occupying half the island of Timor, is ringed by coral reefs teeming with marine life. Landmarks in the capital, Dili, speak to the country's struggles for independence from Portugal in 1975 and then Indonesia in 2002. The iconic 27m-tall Cristo Rei de Dili statue sits on a hilltop high over the city, with sweeping views of the surrounding bay.

Capital: Dili

Currency: United States Dollar

Continent: Asia

Official languages: Portuguese, Tetun

Points of interest: Atauro Island, Tatamailau,

5. Tuvalu

Now, let's travel back to the Pacific Ocean and take a look at yet another island nation that you've probably never heard of: Tuvalu. It's the fourth smallest country in the world, so you shouldn't feel too bad for not vacationing there yet.

Tuvalu, in the South Pacific, is an independent island nation within the British Commonwealth. Its 9 islands comprise small, thinly populated atolls and reef islands with palm-fringed beaches and WWII sites. Off Funafuti, the capital, the Funafuti Conservation Area offers calm waters for diving and snorkelling among sea turtles and tropical fish, plus several uninhabited islets sheltering sea birds.

Population: 11,097 (2016) 

Ethnic groups: 96% Polynesian; 4% Micronesian

Currencies: Australian dollar, Tuvaluan dollar

Official languages: English, Tuvaluan

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6.Nauru

Nauru is a tiny island country in Micronesia, northeast of Australia. It features a coral reef and white-sand beaches fringed with palms, including Anibare Bay on the east coast. Inland, tropical vegetation surrounds Buada Lagoon. The rocky outcrop of Command Ridge, the island's highest point, has a rusty Japanese outpost from WWII. The underground freshwater lake of Moqua Well lies amid the limestone Moqua Caves.

Dialing code: +674

Currency: Australian dollar

Population: 13,049 (2016) 

President: Baron Waqa

Official languages: English, Nauruan

 

7. Palau

Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. Koror Island is home to the former capital, also called Koror, and is the islands’ commercial center. Larger Babeldaob has the present capital, Ngerulmud, plus mountains and sandy beaches on its east coast. In its north, ancient basalt monoliths known as Badrulchau lie in grassy fields surrounded by palm trees.

Capital: Ngerulmud

Currency: United States Dollar

Recognized regional languages: Japanese; Sonsorolese; Tobian

Official languages: English, Palauan

8. Eritrea

Eritrea is a northeast African country on the Red Sea coast. It shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The capital city, Asmara, is known for its Italian colonial buildings, like St. Joseph's Cathedral, as well as art deco structures. Italian, Egyptian and Turkish architecture in Massawa reflect the port city's colorful history. Notable buildings here include St. Mariam Cathedral and the Imperial Palace.

Capital: Asmara

Continent: Africa

Recognised national languages: Tigrinya; Arabic; Tigre; Kunama; Saho; Bilen; Nara; Afar;

Capital and largest city: Asmara; 15°20′N 38°55′E / 15.333°N 38.917°E

Population: 4.475 million (2011) 

9. Principality of Sealand

The Principality of Sealand, more commonly known as Sealand is a micronation that claims Roughs Tower, an offshore platform located in the North Sea approximately 12 kilometres off the coast of Suffolk, England, as its territory. 

Area: 4,000 m²

Population: 27 (2002)

Date formed: September 2, 1967

Purported currency: Sealand dollar; (pegged to the USD)

Demonym: Sealander, Sealandic

10. Federated States of Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia is a country spread across the western Pacific Ocean comprising more than 600 islands. Micronesia is made up of 4 island states: Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap. The country is known for palm-shaded beaches, wreck-filled dives and ancient ruins, including Nan Madol, sunken basalt temples and burial vaults that extend out of a lagoon on Pohnpei.

Capital: Palikir

Currency: United States Dollar

Recognized regional languages: Chuukese; Kosraean; Pohnpeian; Yapese

Population: 104,937 (2016)

11. Commonwealth of Dominica

No, we're not talking about the Dominican Republic, here!

Dominica is a mountainous Caribbean island nation with natural hot springs and tropical rainforests. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is home to the volcanically heated, steam-covered Boiling Lake. The park also encompasses sulphur vents, the 65m-tall Trafalgar Falls and narrow Titou Gorge. To the west is Dominica’s capital, Roseau, with colorful timber houses and botanic gardens.

Capital: Roseau

Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar

Vernacular languages: Dominican Creole French

Capital and largest city: Roseau; 15°18′N 61°23′W / 15.300°N 61.383°W

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