The 10 Least Visited Countries in the World

There are countries in the world where tourism is still not massive. Here, tourists are not counted by the hundreds of thousands; instead, they could be counted on one hand. They are true paradises for those seeking to blend in with the environment, get to know the society that inhabits it, and the natural surroundings it offers. Generally, this situation is due to their geographical location, as they are remote places that take some effort to reach, along with the conflicts experienced in their territories.

In this regard, the website Hosteltur has compiled a list of the ten least visited countries in the world based on annual studies conducted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

According to this index, in 2017, there were 1.322 billion international tourists, representing an 8% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by an increase in tourism in Europe, primarily.

Thus, in the year with the highest number of tourists recorded, the least visited countries are:

Located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe is the smallest country in Africa. Some do not hesitate to call this country the Galápagos of the Atlantic due to the large number of endemic species that live within its territory.

Known as the Rock of Polynesia, this country in the South Pacific is actually an island of 262 km² with a maximum height of 60 meters. Surrounded by coral reefs, it is home to about 2,000 people.

In North Africa, Libya has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014. With a history dating back to the time of Ramses II, Libya had, until 2011, one of the highest life expectancies in Africa.

Famous for the nuclear tests conducted by the U.S. after World War II, these islands are located in the Pacific in the region of Micronesia and are considered one of the youngest countries in the world, having gained independence from the U.S. in 1990.

This Central African country is one of the smallest on the continent. A Spanish colony until the 1960s, the majority of the population speaks Spanish as their first language. Since independence, the governments of Equatorial Guinea have been authoritarian.

In East Africa, it is considered one of the most fragile countries in the world due to the ongoing conflicts that have occurred in its territory since its independence in the late 1950s.

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this country consists of 33 atolls and one volcanic island spread over more than three million square kilometers. Among them, Christmas Island stands out, the largest atoll in the world, measuring 642 km².

In the South Pacific, this country is part of Polynesia. Comprised of 4 reefs and 5 atolls, it is notable that the country's maximum height is just 5 meters above sea level, causing its territory to shrink due to global warming and rising sea levels.

In the Horn of Africa, Somalia is considered the most homogeneous country in Africa concerning culture, religion, ethnicity, and language; however, this has not saved it from wars and famines. An important trading center in ancient times, its current history is marked by decades of conflict.

Just south of the equator in the Pacific Ocean, this country is the smallest sovereign state in Oceania and the third smallest in the world. Nauru is actually a phosphate island surrounded by a reef.