10 World’s Most Visited Countries

Have you ever wondered what the most visited countries are? Every year, the World Tourism Organization compiles the list of world’s most popular countries according to the number of international tourist arrivals for each country. Check out the list of 10 most visited countries in the world and choose which country you want to visit right now!

1. France (76.8 million visitors)

A country of historical diversity, elegance, and fine wines, France is one of the world’s most visited countries! Embrace a sunshine paradise on the French Riviera, enjoy high-brand Parisian fashion and try the highly delicious wines of the vineyards. Relax on Brittany’s beaches, wander lovely lavender fields in Provence, and enjoy a relaxing cruise through picturesque countryside. France has a lot of things to see and to do!

2. USA (59.7 million visitors)

Being the center of the Western world, the United States of America has something to offer for everyone. From the warm nights of Los Angeles to Broadway shows and the high-rise skyscrapers of New York City, crossing from West to East is like coming to another country. In fact, millions of people enjoy a road trip across the USA. Being among the world’s most popular countries for tourists, the USA has plenty of interesting things to see and to do – from a Florida theme park to a beautiful beach on the Gulf of Mexico, from the vast wonderment of the Grand Canyon to exploring the history of the nation in Boston.

3. China (55.7 million visitors)

One of the top countries to visit, China leads the world in investment in tourism and it’s really paying off! Despite its authoritarian government, the country boasts a history dating back to the first century. There is really nothing like traversing the futuristic streets of Shanghai or walking along the Great Wall. And with its fascinating festivals and culture and awesome natural attractions, China is definitely worth a visit.

4. Spain (52.7 million visitors)

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! The impressive Moorish architecture of Granada and Seville welcome thousands of tourists every year. Learn a rich sporting history in FC Barcelona and Real Madrid and explore the food culture of the country. Look to the Canary and Balearic Islands and you will experience some of the world’s wildest parties. Also make sure to visit unique Spanish cultural festivals such as the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona.

5. Italy (43.6 million visitors)

The center of the Roman Empire, Italy is amongst the most visited countries in the world. The rural south offers a quiet and privacy getaway with the wonderful Sicily and Neapolitan Riviera drawing the crowds. Head to north and you will have numerous artistic treasures in Rome and Florence, where Botticelli and Da Vinci plied their trades. From snow covered slopes for the winter sports to awesome beaches for the summer and numerous beautiful lakes, Italy has something to offer for everyone.

6. Great Britain (28.1 million visitors)

Many tourists say that Great Britain is the beautiful country to visit. The center of this nation, London is a cultural place with large immigrant communities bringing an amazing twist to the traditional tourist attractions such as Big Ben and the Tower of London. Enjoy a holiday cottage in the Welsh Valleys, gaze at the picturesque landscape of the Scottish Highlands, visit stunning sandy beaches on the East Coast or chocolate box villages in the Cotswolds. There are plenty of amazing things to do!

7. Turkey (27 million visitors)

Istanbul is the only city in the world which lies in two continents. Try some delicious Turkish coffee in the small and cozy cafes of Istanbul, or visit places like the Grotto of St. Peter in Antakya (Antioch), where Saint Peter the Apostle preached to a congregation. With gorgeous beaches, places of the ancient world and a great food culture, Turkey is well-known for its welcome to tourists.

8. Germany (26.9 million visitors)

I think Germany has the most difficult history. Just think, after becoming a united country under Otto von Bismarck in the late nineteenth century, it has been devastated economically and physically by war. But now it’s one of the most beautiful and visited countries in the world! Visit such amazing places as the German Reichstag in Berlin with its modern glass dome and the stunning Rhineland castles. The mighty rivers and the breathtaking natural attractions of the Black Forest are a charm for outdoors lovers. The country has a great sporting heritage with such teams as Bayern Munich being known all around Europe.

9. Malaysia (24.6 million visitors)

Now let’s talk about Malaysia. A lot of tourists worldwide come to Kuala Lumpur to experience how the locals live their lives. The beautiful resort city of Sarawak has everything you need with local operators providing luxurious holidays in the shadow of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gunung Mulu National Park. In short, Malaysia is awesome country! The tropical rainforests, idyllic islands and wonderful beaches are simply sublime!

10. Mexico (22.4 million visitors)

Mexico is a true tropical paradise. With a completely developed tourism industry in such centers as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, you can wade through breathtaking jungles in search for colorful, exotic birds or scuba dive in warm waters. The history of the country is fascinating! With the Spanish and Mayan heritage, there is some secret beauty in its landscapes. Mexico is also become one of the most visited countries in the world due to its fledgling medical tourism industry in the cities such as Guadalajara.

Although the list is amazing, I’d like to see some other countries on it! What do you think of this list? Which countries would you like to see on the list? Let me know!

10 Most Peaceful Countries In The World

Do you know which are the most peaceful countries in the world? Since 2007 each year, the Global Peace Index has been issued by the IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace) and is a measurement of nations’ and regions’ peacefulness based on external and internal measures. Although it seems like the world is becoming more cruel, according to the Global Peace Index there are 20 most peaceful countries in the world.

1. Denmark

Denmark tops the list of the most peaceful countries on Earth since it’s really a safe place to live. Even while Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was under occupation by the Nazis during the World War II, it still did not fight. The point is that people living in Denmark prefer to focus on economic matters, instead of involving themselves in various armed conflicts. Danish people are very friendly, open and helpful. Personally I have been to Copenhagen twice and I wish I lived in this country. I’m pretty sure that those who have been to Denmark at least once could say the same.

2. Norway

Many people do not expect Norway to appear in the list of the most peaceful countries in the world. Perhaps, this is because of Anders Behring Breivik, mass murderer, who hit the pride of the country hard. Sure, it was an extraordinary incident, but according to the Global Peace Index Norway is one of the world’s most peaceful countries and friendly and safe place to live. Norway is the country with the highest level of human development in the globe, plus, the government of Oslo always places peace at the forefront of the priorities of the country.

3. Singapore

As an active member of the international community and, overall, a small nation,Singapore can never take its right to exist and security for granted. Since achieving its independence in 1965 as a sovereign Republic, Singapore has always concentrated on being a great neighbor, through establishing social, peaceful, economic, cordial political relations with all countries.

The country has worked with the United Nations and its supporting agencies on a great variety of efforts.
It also participates in various global, unilateral and multilateral organizations to promote international cooperation, including WTO (World Trade Organization). Singapore is among the most peaceful countries in the world as well as one of the world’s wealthiest countries. The homicide and violent crime rates are lower than the criminal rates.

4. Slovenia

A beautiful European country, Slovenia is also among the most peaceful countries in the world. The country got its lowest marks in funding for the United Nations peacekeeping missions, number of police and security officers, level of perceived criminality in society, number of organized internal conflicts, violent protests, and number of internal and external wars fought. I agree with the Global Peace Index and believe that Slovenia deserves its place in the list of the most peaceful countries on Earth. Moreover, with its wonderful cities like Maribor and Ljubljana teeming with unique culture, Slovenia is a fantastic travel destination.

5. Sweden

One of the most beautiful Scandinavian countries, Sweden is located in the far north of Europe. Although Sweden is one of the biggest weapon exporters in Europe, the country has a low level of robberies (only 9,000 a year) compared to the United States (about 350,000 a year)! According to the Global Peace Index, Sweden is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, in spite of the fact that it’s among the world’s top arms exporters. Besides, Sweden has not been to war and has not participated in any combats for the whole 2 centuries.

6. Iceland

Iceland was also ranked as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, staying out of the main conflicts in the world. Iceland seldom or never hits the headlines and despite the collapse of the Icelandic banks several years ago, the country is remained as an amazing place of spectacular natural beauty. Tourists from all parts of the world come to Iceland to view its huge glaciers and raging volcanoes, as well as numerous unique natural and cultural attractions in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

7. Belgium

According to the Global Peace Index, Belgium is one of the best and most peaceful places to live in Europe and on Earth. Situated in the heart of Europe, this small country holds a special place. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to the European Union and NATO. Belgium boasts medieval cities, beautiful town halls, majestic castles, and captivating natural beauty. Homicide and imprisonment rates are low in this country, even though Belgium did experience a crisis within its government over the 2008-2011 period.

8. Czech Republic

A relatively new country, the Czech Republic gained its independence from the Soviet Bloc in 1989 due to the Velvet Revolution and its subsequent split with Slovakia. After the division of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic has largely concentrated on building a strong capitalist economy and creating a stable climate for investment. In 2009, the Human Development Index (HDI) ranked the Czech Republic as a country of ‘Very High Human Development.’ Renowned mostly for its magnificent capital city Prague and breathtaking natural beauty, the Czech Republic draws tourists from all over the world.

9. Switzerland

According to IEP, the Swiss maintain a well-functioning government and an open political culture. Illustrating the quality of government, Switzerland received the lowest score for political instability. It’s also among the world’s most peaceful countries that have low levels of violent crime. Although Switzerland is known for its neutrality in regional, international and global political issues, it maintains strong diplomatic relations with various countries around the world.

10. Japan

One of the most enchanting countries culturally, Japan has the third largest economy in the world. Since the World War II, Japan has been really peaceful, with little internal conflict and low crime. The country settles on an internal security force in order to maintain the peace. Japan is a peaceful as well as breathtakingly beautiful country worth visiting.

It’s a great advantage to live in a peaceful country, and if you are lucky to live in one of the above-mentioned countries, you must be proud of it! So, what do you think of this list? What can you add to this? Please share your thoughts in the comments and thanks for reading!