What's special about these 10 unrecognized countries?
(Baonghean.vn) - Despite having distinct names and territories, the following 10 countries are theoretically not recognized by the world as independent nations.
1. Tuva
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| Nestled deep in Central Asia, Tuva was once an independent nation, but is now part of Russia. It is renowned for its lush forests and grasslands, along with its rich wildlife. The people of Tuva have preserved their cultural traditions. |
2. Somalialand
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| This region in the Horn of Africa is home to 3.5 million people who have sought to secede from Somalia since 1991. According to Nick Middleton, it is “an oasis of peace, compared to the rest of the country.” |
3. Catalonia
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| Despite long-standing disagreements with Madrid, Catalonia remains part of Spain, even though more than 1.6 million people living there supported secession in an unofficial vote in 2014. Its most popular destination is Barcelona, home to many works by architect Antonio Gaudi. |
4. Elgaland - Vargaland
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| Elgaland - Vargaland consists of uninhabited lands. The brainchild of two Swedish artists, Carl Michael von Hausswolf and Leif Elggren, Elgaland - Vargaland has been around for 24 years and continues to expand. |
5. Greenland
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| Greenland is not a recognized country, but a territory of Denmark. Ilussant Icefjord is one of the destinations highlighted by UNESCO. |
6. Mapuche
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| Located between Argentina and Chile, Mapuche was an independent territory until it was divided between the two countries in the 19th century. Mapuche is renowned for its textiles and exquisite handicrafts. |
7. Isle of Man
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| As one of the world's most remote and unrecognized countries, the Isle of Man is under British royal rule but is not part of the United Kingdom. The island has its own system of government and taxation. A cultural highlight is its motor racing. |
8. Christiania
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| Located in the heart of Copenhagen, Christiania is a social experiment created by a group of Danish hippies in a former military camp. It includes a school, housing, and several shops, with a population of approximately 850 people. They were required to pay the Danish government in 2018, or face forced eviction. |
9. Seborga
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| Located near the Italian border with Monaco, Seborga owes a debt to Giorgio Carbone, the former president of the flower growers' association, who discovered the town, previously unnamed in official Italian documents. Today, those loyal to Carbone continue to maintain his legacy, while still paying taxes to the Italian government. |
10. Mayotte
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| Located 8,000 km from Paris, Mayotte decided to maintain its colonial status and was designated as part of French European territory. This stunning tropical island has a population of 213,000. It is a popular diving and whale-watching destination, attracting many tourists. |
Kim Ngoc
(Synthetic)
