Western civilization is chasing the best. I am not an exception. Well, the older I get, the more interested I am in the latter. I would like to introduce you to countries that the world is not yet used to. Slovakia is one of these countries.
I have visited all the youngest countries in the world in the last two years. So the information is current. After the blog about the Least Visited Countries in the World, I am pleased to introduce you to the youngest countries that the world still has to get used to. Slovakia is one of these countries, so you shouldn't find the article completely strange.
Why visit such strange countries?
The last sentence of the previous paragraph talks about why. If a Persian, British or French person read it, he would only smile. Well, you know that even Slovakia, as one of the youngest countries in the world, can be magical, and with a good guide (you've probably already accompanied someone from abroad), Slovakia is also a very interesting country. Surprising. And this is the point. The least visited countries in the world as well as the youngest countries in the world can be a surprise.
Collective problems of young people style="text-align: justify;">All the newest countries of the world are developing quite fast. What was valid two years ago is different today. The youngest countries of the world belonged elsewhere, belonged to another and broke away. The younger they are, the more they have a problem with running serious state institutions that were run by those they broke away from. Young states are learning this today, and it causes initial confusion.
The younger the states, the greater the corruption. Since Slovakia is the oldest country in my blog - we have the least corruption of all these countries. Um. Yes, we also need another 50 years to make things and the pity of those stolen billions. But East Timor and South Sudan are even worse. I don't know if that's any consolation...
The lack of functioning institutions causes significant instability and travel to South Sudan is extremely dangerous today. Twenty years ago, a foreigner in Slovakia had a high chance of having his car stolen. The younger the country, the more is stolen.
These countries have a problem with tourism. Just as the world knows about Czechoslovakia or the Czech Republic, it does not know about us. They often confuse us with Slovenia and have no idea where we are. It gets better every year, doesn't it? the young countries I write about are still largely unknown in the world. People visit what they know: France, the USA or Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China. Why should you visit East Timor, since no one you know has ever been there and you know nothing about that country? But visiting a country that no one knows has a great advantage. You won't be crowded with anyone here. You are here ten years ahead of others. And that is a great luxury in today's travel.
Slovak Republic / Czech Republic: January 1993
On January 1, 1993, my native Czechoslovakia into two independent countries. The whole world admired our velvet separation. But the failure to deal with the communist legacy is carried over to the present day, when people connected to the communists have taken over most of the business and are not actually doing business, but stealing from the state. The most professional politicians of Slovakia graduated in Moscow. Former ŠTBáci (secret service) privatized businesses and their children are now "honestly" running businesses.
Mafia practices of communist descendants are everywhere. Corruption is tolerated among the common people. The media is fighting this disease only as if, inventing useless and ridiculous cases and not going after the real ones. and injustice. Decency is not encouraged or celebrated. And it continues to be stolen. Otherwise everything is fine. Both countries are firmly anchored in the European Union. Slovakia also in terms of money, which is a huge salvation for the country given the corruption. The situation will gradually improve, countries are also culturally very quickly leaning towards the mindset of Western Europe. After the breakup, both countries possessed enormous intellectual potential: educated, decent, hardworking people. Not like North Korea - they are even more educated and even more hard-working - but it was enough to make them the West's best-performing automotive workshop. The situation is getting better and even if not a single country full potential, they are the best of all the new countries. The future of the next 10 years is rosy. I recommend investing.
Corruption:
Slovakia finished second worst among all OECD countries. Among the developed countries of the world, only Mexico beat him. But overall, it is in 54th place, which is the best of the new countries (right after the Czech Republic in 42nd place). So, if we want to compare ourselves to South Sudan, we are cool.
Security:
Green color on the BUBO safety map. If there is no threat of a terrorist attack anywhere, it is here. It's a shame to leave explode. There is no threat of natural disasters either. Slovakia is paradise on earth.
What to see:
The Czech Republic is known for its culture, Slovakia for its beautiful nature. Tourism will also develop rapidly in Slovakia, they will gradually learn how to provide services. Tourism is destroyed by Eurofunds, which spoil fair competition in the same way that privatization did. It is similar to development aid to Africa, which will do more harm. Well, even this will shake out.
Eritrea: April 1993
27. April 1993, the former colony of Italy, Eritrea won independence from and powerful Ethiopia. The breakup was not velvet at all, on the contrary, it was bloody. It came after 30 long years of civil war. I thought there would be a huge difference between Ethiopia and Eritrea when they wanted to secede, but I didn't find much. Ethiopia is predominantly Christian, so is Eritrea. In Asmara I find many churches and the liturgy and ceremonies are the same. There is a similar number of Muslims here as in Ethiopia. These countries have a lot in common. The mother of Ethiopia's most powerful president, Meles Zenawi, was from Eritrea, and he too was from the Tigre tribe, which is one of the most influential tribes in Eritrea. The first and only president of Eritrea is an orthodox Christian, not a Muslim, and his alma mater is Addis Ababa University. Both are Semites and speak the same language. A staple dish in both it's injera, a teff cereal flatbread. When your mouth touches an injera, it's like a first kiss, you'll never forget it. Injera looks like a mop and still tastes good.
Like in Ethiopia, I experience a coffee ceremony here. People are also identical in clothing and appearance.
In 1998, the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia started again, which lasted for two years. Ethiopia lost access to the sea and was greatly weakened by the secession of the north.
Eritrea is the least free country in Africa. Isaias Afwerki is a dictator.
Corruption:
165. the place is the second worst among all the newest countries just after South Sudan. It is bad.
Security:
Like any dictatorship, Eritrea is safe if you don't provoke the dictator. Well, it's a country where you have to know your way around and it's not for amateurs. They can be arrested and their journey will be very expensive. As far as diseases are concerned, it is safe here in Africa. There is no threat of natural disasters.
What to see:
Eritrea is a diverse country with many tribes (Bilen, Tigre, Rosaida). Asmara at the height of the Tatras is pleasant, near the Red Sea (Mandawa) you will experience heat over 40 degrees Celsius and a wonderful underwater world that tourism has driven out of Egypt. On the desert areas with traditional tiave markets. Eritrea has no open land border with its neighbors.
Palau: October 1994
On October 1, 1994, one of the smallest states in the world was created. It has only 21,000 inhabitants. I enter the capital on the largest island of the Babelthuap state. It's deserted, I mean I haven't really met a single person. We come to a huge building resembling the White House. I tap on his wall and it rumbles. The huge empty building is made of plasterboard. This building pretty much sums up the whole country.
Palau is geographically part of Micronesia, which I crossed. It is the westernmost group of islands in the Carolinas. But it is the more cultivated part of Micronesia.
I meet King Koror in the biggest bar of the state. Two-thirds of the entire population lives on the island of Koror, and Koror is clearly the wealthiest.
Even the (once) most powerful man in the state is still the richest. And this bar also belongs to him. "Don't call me king. They already call me boss here," Ibedul Gibbons explains to me. In fact, he and his sister (not his wife) are king and queen. Ibedul has a dozen wives and more children. We live in a hotel where every toilet has a bidet - you've definitely seen something like this when visiting Japan, it's not common elsewhere. And yes, the hotel is run by Japanese people and most of the tourists are Japanese. The hotel is the best hotel in the state. Many divers rate Palau as the most beautiful place for diving in the world. I also see small sharks, snorkel with turtles. The greatest experience is swimming in a lake with millions of jellyfish. These jellyfish don't suffocate and you squish in them... BUBO is the biggest seller of tours to Palau and we know how to get more from this country.
Palau is a free country with a beautiful sea. If not for US support, their economy would survive. For this support, Palau supports the US in UN votes.
The specialty I experienced here was visiting the prison. How to support a prison in such a small country? What if the prisoners made souvenirs and earned a living that way? And that's how you can go to prison in Palau. Souvenirs are expensive like everything in this country, but you will never forget where you bought the item.
Corruption:
It is significant, but for Transparency International, Palau is far away and data does not exist.
Security:
Absolutely safe. of terrorism as in Slovakia, i.e. zero. The biggest danger is natural disasters, especially regular hurricanes. But men have to be careful of women too. Palau is one of the few countries in the world where women rule - there is a matriarchy.
What to see:
The most beautiful sea in the world, say many divers. The Milky Way is a beautiful cluster of islands. We went through the Rock Islands on speedboats and that was also beautiful. Swimming with jellyfish was almost as powerful as swimming with a giant shark or an hour with gorillas. Unfortunately jellyfish have become extinct due to global warming and the next few years a great experience with jellyfish style="text-align: justify;">
East Timor: May 2002
20. In May 2002, East Timor became independent. Like Eritrea, it was a long bloody struggle. Oil-rich Christian Timor broke away from its Muslim big brother (Indonesia) with the help of the West. When the original colonizers, the Portuguese, withdrew in 1975, Indonesia is said to have killed 180,000 Timorese. Xanana is the local Che Guevara and Timor is a Lusophone country. Partisan Xanana became the first president of the country and he deserved it. Tourism is in its infancy and now it is mainly about oil and who will grab what from it. Lots of adventurers live here, people from non-profits, you'll often find Australians helping out which they emotionally betrayed. Timor Leste is a rough country for more experienced travelers.
Corruption:
91. the place. Well, that's a positive view.
Security:
East Timor is getting safer every year. It is still not recommended to go out at night, but I see the situation positively. I visited her with my son a year ago. If it was very dangerous, I wouldn't take him there.
What to see:
When the Indonesians left, they demolished all the bridges, infrastructure, and it is being restored only slowly. The roads are destroyed, you need a 4x4. Whoever finds the energy to visit Atauro Island will receive a gift in the form of beautiful snorkeling or diving. It is here that the world's largest underwater biodiversity is proven = the most species of fish and corals in the world. BUBO also offers a unique program in East Timor.
Montenegro: June 2006
On June 1, 2006, Montenegro separated from Serbia after a referendum (on May 21). The country is trying to find a balance between the West and its permanent ally, Russia. The northern coast of the country is cultivated with the history of the Republic of Venice (Kotor, and the south is much more dependent on Albania. The interior of the country is made up of beautiful nature, and Montenegro is wisely paving the way for the most ecological state in Europe. For now, it's more of an image, because Scandinavia is far ahead, but it's a good way to go.
Corruption:
64. the place. If you read the notes I wrote on the forum, you will find that corruption has always been close to this Balkan country.
Security:
Absolutely safe. Just follow common sense.
What style="text-align: justify;">Climb to the top of Bobotov Kuk. Raft on the incredibly clear Tara River. Taste local wines, black Vranac and white Krstač. Kotor is a beautiful city. And then there is TOP luxury, namely Svätý Štefan and the best marina for yachts on the entire Adriatic coast in Porto Montenegro. You can find everything on the excellent Balkan tour in one package.
Kosovo: February 2008
17. In February 2008, Kosovo declared its independence, and they recently celebrated their anniversary here. Not all countries have recognized it yet (for example, Slovakia does not recognize Kosovo). The country has big problems, unemployment exceeds 45%. The president is from trade in human organs. When a person reads this, he is glad that he lives in civilized Slovakia. I was surprised by tall blue-eyed people proud of their homeland. They boasted that Pristina has the best macchiato in the world and repeated it hundreds of times, but I already awarded this championship to Asmara in Eritrea, and Pristina is second only to the third Napoli.
Corruption:
85. the place. Well, I would make it worse here too.
Security:
The country is not for everyone. Security is worse than in Eritrea and similar to East Timor. Less experienced travelers must take care style="text-align: justify;">
What to see:
Waterfalls, lakes, mountains. Monasteries, tombs. Pristina has an interesting ethnographic museum, mosques and a huge cathedral of Mother Teresa. Kosovo is close and easy to visit.
South Sudan: July 2011
9. In July 2011, Juba broke away from Khartoum with heavy help from the West. It was preceded by three decades of fighting. Like East Timor, a Christian country broke away from its big Muslim brother, and it also happens to have oil. The West rejoiced. In day secession referendum (January 9, 2011) everyone (!! including BBC and CNN) was writing about the wonderful future of the people of South Sudan and the peace they finally got. I wrote then how it would turn out. Well, it turned out anyway. I am returning to South Sudan after 7 years. It is a charitable trip, because nowadays nothing else can be done. It is necessary to help, I am convinced of that!
Corruption:
One of the most corrupt countries in the world. Among all countries, Slovakia is in 54th place and South Sudan is in 179th place. It was overtaken by only one country, namely Somalia. It is paid in Sudanese pounds, I remember the exchange rate was 35 and now it is over 200. Sudan is the country most dependent on oil revenue and almost all of it goes to private accounts. It is enormously expensive here.
Security:
Extremely dangerous. The biggest refugee crisis since the Rwandan conflict (1994) is looming. I once experienced such a danger in Goma near North Kivu (DRC). At that time, it was not possible to go even a few kilometers outside the city, and that is not possible near Juba now. Everything is extremely dangerous.
What to see:
Nothing today. But South Sudan offers the largest game migration in the world. Awesome tribes living in the Stone Age. Well, simply a paradise for tourists and photographers. In South Sudan, preserved by years of war, you will find a world that has already disappeared elsewhere.
In conclusion..
I have my fingers crossed for all new countries, including Slovakia. It is precisely these countries that, despite enormous problems, have a great chance to grow rapidly and improve. After they break away, they are down and then it is easy to climb.
And their residents also have a great motivation to do something. Here it is easier to become the best cyclist, skier, tennis player in the country. If you are French or British, you belong hundreds of people who visited these newest countries of the world. However, if you are a citizen of one of these young countries, you can quite easily be the first, or at least become exceptional. And it pays off. Let's travel, friends!
Article source: https://bubo.sk/blog/10-najmladsich-statov-sveta
Article author: Ľuboš Fellner