The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

ZeussLightningBolt

As a geography major and avid traveler, this is a post I've been wanting to write for a while. I've based my picks on number and age of historic sites, diversity of attractions, cultural diversity, and biological and geographical diversity.

North America

Mexico

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: El Tajin, Veracruz

This one was probably a given. In fact, it's not only the most interested country in North America, but also the most interesting in the world. First off, the country is massive and stretches across many climate and eco-zones. This means the nation contains everything from arid desert and chaparral, to pine forest and tropical rainforest. The country's Chihuahua state is home to the world's largest canyon, Barranca del Cobre, which is 4 times larger then the Grand Canyon. The Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas, is also a spectacular site. Another unique natural feature of Mexico is Oaxaca's Hierva de Agua, a travertine formation which has been nicknamed the "Petrified Waterfall", because of its location. Another famous and spectacular natural feature, are the cenotes of the Yucatan. The country also has many dry land caves, waterfalls, volcanoes and the famous sea arch of Cabo San Lucas. Really, we could do an entire article just on the country's ecosystems, but if we do, this will never get posted.

On that note, on to its historic sites. In addition to its many colorful colonial cities, the nation also has more museums then any other on earth, as well as the world's largest number of archaeological sites. Although most people know about the Mayans and Aztecs, other cultures including the Olmecs, Veracruz, Zapotec, Toltecs and Mogollon, just to name a few. All of whom have left behind impressive archaeological sites, which range from adobe foundations and cliff dwellings in the north, to step pyramids and giant heads in the south. In addition, the Spanish left behind colorful cities, cathedrals, missions and forts.

Mexico is also one of the most culturally diverse countries on earth. Each state has its own unique customs, dress, music, food and traditions, and each state feels like a separate country and has something of interest to offer. For this reason, even Mexicans can't tell you which part of the country is the "true" Mexico.

The fact that is the longest post in this take should be saying enough. Although there are many more reasons why Mexico is the most interesting country on earth, it would take an entire lifetime to list them all, and I still have eight other countries to write about. But I think it's pretty clear.

Central America

Guatemala

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Lake Atitlan

Central America has no shortage of interesting countries, but some are just a little more interesting then others. If I'm honest, it was a toss up between Nicaragua and Guatemala. Both have colorful colonial cities. Both have cathedrals and forts. Both have lakes. Both have ocean. And both have volcanoes. But Guatemala has one thing that Nicaragua doesn't, Mayan ruins, and LOTS of them, which is why it wins the title for Central America. Guatemala truly is all the Central American countries in one. It's like one thing from each Central American country was put in Guatemala to create a giant skansen. In addition, the country also has some unique indigenous customs and traditions found nowhere else in the region. Yeah, Guatemala wins.

Caribbean

Dominican Republic

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Pico Duarte

There are dozens of the Caribbean nations to chose from, but there are many reasons why the D.R. claims the title. First off, it is home to the oldest European city in the Americas, claims to house the body of Christopher Columbus, is Spanish speaking, and has a mix of African, European and Taino traditions. It has some impressive colonial architecture, Taino petroglyphs, also happens to be the amber capital of Western Hemisphere. But in the end it is the D.R.'s unique geography that ultimately wins it the title.

Along with the spectacular waterfalls, sinkholes and underwater caves that can be found elsewhere in the Caribbean, the nation is also home to Lake Enriquillo, a large salt water lake, which is the second lowest point in North America, after Death Valley. If that isn't interesting enough, the lake is home to large crocodiles. But what ultimately wins the D.R. the title, is Pico Duarte. The area around the peak has the largest tract of pine forest in the Caribbean, but that STILL isn't why the D.R. wins. The peak happens to be the highest in the Caribbean, which has created a unique microclimate, i.e., it is the only place in the Caribbean where you can experience SNOW. If THAT doesn't give the D.R. the win, I don't know what does.

South America

Peru

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Machu Picchu

My apologies to all the other South American nations, but you never stood a chance. Peru is probably the second most interesting country in the world after Mexico, and in all honestly, aside from Peru and Venezuela, South American countries don't have a whole lot to offer tourists. Its' vast number of pre-Columbian ruins, including the oldest in the Americas, is reason enough to give Peru the win. Although most synonymous with the Incas and Nazca, Peru was also home to other, much earlier cultures, which have all left behind a little piece of the past.

In fact, Peru is second only to Mexico, for the largest number of archaeological sites in the Americas. And who knows how many more there are. The country is also one of the most culturally diverse in Latin America, ranging from fair skinned Spanish descendants in Lima and Trujillo, to mixed Mestizos in countryside, and direct descendants of the Inca themselves, as well as primitive Amazon tribes, and the reed island tribes of Titicaca. It's also home to the world's third and fifth highest waterfalls. If that isn't enough, the country is also home to 18 of the world's 21 ecosystems, more then any other country on earth. Talk about diversity.

Europe

Greece

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Meteora

This was by far the hardest pick of this whole list, as there were at least four other countries that could've easily won this title, but in the end, I have to give it Greece. Although most people associate the country with Greek ruins like Delphi and the Parthenon, the country also contains relics of other major civilizations, including the Romans, Macedonians, Minoans, Mycenaeans and Byzantines, just to name a few. Since it is situated right at the crossroads of East and West, most major Eurasian civilizations have passed through here at some point, and left behind spectacular relics. In addition, the country also contains stunning Christian monasteries, Venetian fortresses, and picturesque cities. The country's geography and wildlife, also earns it a spot on this list. Most people are unaware that the country is home to wolves, bears, jackals and venomous vipers. The country's geography is also quite diverse, featuring everything from mountains and glaciers, to caves and canyons, to lakes and waterfalls. Then of course, there are its dozens of islands, each of which features their own unique geography, culture and architecture, making each one feel like its own country. There really is no other country like it on earth.

Middle East

Turkey

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Roman Theater at Ephesus

GAG's many Turkish members will be happy about this one. Like Europe, this is another region which has four other countries that could've made the title, but in the end, Turkey wins out. Once again, the country's vast size means vast geographic diversity, including badlands, rocky coast, forested mountains, and high plains. As well as several interesting geologic features, including caves, the travertine terraces of Pamukale, the sandstone chimneys of Cappadocia, the Antalya waterfall, and the legendary Mt. Ararat, said to be the final resting place of Noah's Ark. Although these days, 99% of the country is Muslim, the Turkey of today has been shaped by Byzantine, Roman, and Mycenaean culture, among others.

The nation is home to some of the oldest cities and archeological sites in the world, including the mysterious Gobekli Tepe, the only stone age religious site known to date. And of course we can't forget its impressive mosques, cities and bazaars. In addition, the nation also has several large inhabited islands, which are rare in the Middle East. The Kurdish population of the east, the whistling language tribe of Kuskoy, the mysterious Whirling Dervishes, and the fact that 5% of its landmass is in Europe, have contributed greatly to the nation's cultural diversity. The nation also has no shortage of interesting wildlife, including wolves, bears, leopards and venomous snakes. Writing this reminded me why Turkey is one of my bucket list countries.

Africa

South Africa

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Blyde River Canyon

Some African countries have great historical sites, some have great wildlife, some have great scenery, but South Africa has all three, which is why it wins the title for South Africa. Although other African countries have older and more impressive historic sites, South Africa has the widest variety. The country's historic Dutch presence coupled with its excellent wine growing conditions has led to the creation of forts and wine estates, which feature unique colonial mansions found nowhere else on the continent. In addition, the nation also features neat Monrovian architecture as well as Dutch churches and colonial buildings. The nation's cultural diversity has also contributed to the nation's unique architecture, such as the stunning Hindu temples of Durban, and the colorful Bo Kaap Malay quarter in Cape Town.

This cultural diversity is also another reason why South Africa wins the pick. The country has a mix of indigenous African, European, Caribbean, Malay and Indian culture, allowing you to experience a wide variety of cultures without leaving the country. In addition, the nation has almost a dozen recognized tribes, and 11 official languages. That's some serious diversity. As for the wildlife, although other nations may have greater numbers, South Africa has the widest variety, and it was this country that first started safari tourism.

It's also one of the few African countries where you can swim with Great White Sharks and play with cute penguins in the same day. But once again, geography gets it the title. The country is one of the most geographically diverse in Africa, and includes everything from desert and savanna, to mountains and forest. It's also home to the world's second highest waterfall, and its picturesque Garden Route is considered to be the most beautiful stretch of coast in all of Africa, and the beaches of Cape Town are considered to be the most beautiful on the continent. Now if South Africans could just get along with each other.

Asia

India

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Ellora Cave Temples, Maharastra State

This was another difficult choice for me, as it came down to a toss up between India and China, but in the end, I decided to give it to India, mainly because of it has a greater cultural, biological and historic diversity.

India is another massive country that spans many ecosystems and climate zones. In terms of geography, China is more diverse, but the geography of India is still fairly diverse. It includes the towering snow covered mountains of Ladakh, the replanted pine forests of Ranthambore, and the desert's of Rajasthan. Another reason India makes this list, is because of its wildlife. China has the Giant Panda, but India has tigers, rhinos, camels and sloth bears. But if those aren't impressive enough, the country is also home to the last wild population of Asiatic Lions in the world.

The nation is also one of the most ethnically diverse on the planet, and each state feels like a different country. India also makes the pick for its wide variety of attractions. From the oriental Buddhist temples of Ladakh, to the spectacular palaces, forts and mosques of the north, and the Portuguese churches, beaches and hippy atmosphere of Goa, India is truly diverse. There are also its wide variety of religions, which include Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, Jainism, and Christianity. The country also has many unusual customs, and a festival for each day of the year. Really, if I had to include ALL the reasons why India is the most interesting country in Asia, I would be here all day. There's a reason its referred to as a "sub continent". They don't called it "Incredible India" for nothing.

Oceania

Guam

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region

Photo: Fort Soledad

I decided to exclude Australia and New Zealand for this one, as I wanted to showcase one of the tiny Pacific islands. In the end, Guam gets the title for Oceania. Although it's not officially a country, but a U.S. colony, Guam is truly the most interesting of the Pacific islands, if we exclude Hawaii which is a state. In general, the Pacific islands aren't known for their geographic diversity and historic sites, which is why Guam wins the title here. It is the only island in Oceania that was colonized by the Spanish, and the people of Guam can thank them for its inclusion on the list. The island is one of the only ones in the Pacific that has forts, and nice ones too. The island also has unusual Latte stones, which were erected by the island's original inhabitants as ceremonial markers.

The island also has a few Spanish churches, towers and plazas, and some World War II sites. The island is also great for nature lovers, as its large number of caves, waterfalls and rocky beaches, offer for some great hiking and water activity opportunities. The island is also very mountains, which makes for some picturesque coastline. In fact, the world's highest mountain, if measured from the base, is actually located on Guam. Its geographic location means it is the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise. And lastly, the island's indigenous Chamorro population still put on culture shows for tourists who are interested in learning about their customs. Tourists can also ride a water buffalo, try local food, and hold coconut crabs at the island's Chamorro Village. The island is truly different from any other in the Pacific.

The Most Interesting Country In Each Region
25 Opinion