beautyfull countries

New Zealand
#1 in Scenic
#11 in Best Countries Overall
British and Polynesian influences course through picturesque New Zealand, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean southeast of Australia. Early Maori settlers ceded sovereignty to British invaders with the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, and European settlers flooded in. Today, 70 percent of Kiwis, a common term for the people of New Zealand after a native flightless bird, are of European descent. A sense of pride has surged among the Maori, the country’s first settlers who now account for about 14 percent, as homeland grievances become more openly addressed.
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GDP
$250 billion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$46,420
POPULATION
5.12 million

Greece
#2 in Scenic
#25 in Best Countries Overall
Located in southeastern Europe, Greece as an independent nation is young, existing since the 19th century. Its civilization, however, is one of history’s oldest and most influential, credited with creating the concept of democracy as well as the ancient Olympic Games, and laying Western foundations in science, the arts and philosophy.
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GDP
$216 billion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$31,295
POPULATION
10.7 million

Italy
#3 in Scenic
#14 in Best Countries Overall
Italy is a south-central European country, whose boot-shaped borders extend into the Mediterranean Sea. The country’s historical cities, world-renowned cuisine and geographic beauty make it a popular destination for more than 40 million tourists each year. The nation is home to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, and houses two countries within its borders – the Vatican and San Marino.
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GDP
$2.10 trillion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$45,936
POPULATION
59.1 million

Switzerland
#4 in Scenic
#1 in Best Countries Overall
Switzerland, officially called the Swiss Confederation, is a small country in Central Europe made up of 16,000 square miles of glacier-carved Alps, lakes and valleys. It’s one of the world’s wealthiest countries, and has been well-known for centuries for its neutrality.
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GDP
$813 billion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$77,324
POPULATION
8.70 million

Spain
#5 in Scenic
#16 in Best Countries Overall
A number of independent kingdoms united in 1492 to form the Kingdom of Spain, a cultural patchwork that continues to shape the modern nation’s dynamic identity. Spain comprises much of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal on the southwestern edge of Europe. It also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and two enclaves in North Africa.
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GDP
$1.43 trillion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$40,775
POPULATION
47.3 million

Norway
#6 in Scenic
#13 in Best Countries Overall
The Kingdom of Norway is the westernmost country in the Scandinavian peninsula, made up mostly of mountainous terrain. Nearly all of its population lives in the south, surrounding the capital, Oslo. Norway’s coastline is made up of thousands of miles of fjords, bays and island shores. The Norwegians developed a maritime culture, and were active throughout the Viking era, establishing settlements in Iceland and Greenland.
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GDP
$482 billion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$79,201
POPULATION
5.41 million

Australia
#7 in Scenic
#7 in Best Countries Overall
The Commonwealth of Australia occupies the Australian continent. The country also includes some islands, most notably Tasmania. Indigenous people occupied the land for at least 40,000 years before the first British settlements of the 18th century.
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GDP
$1.54 trillion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$55,807
POPULATION
25.7 million

Ireland
#8 in Scenic
#23 in Best Countries Overall
The Republic of Ireland is an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean, separated from Britain on the east by the Irish Sea. Nicknamed the Emerald Isle for its well-watered grasslands, the country is known for its rich cultural traditions, lively pub scene and its struggles for independence. The country comprises five-sixths of the island of Ireland – the remaining sixth is Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. After a bloody fight for independence and civil war in the early 20th century, Ireland became a republic in 1949.
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GDP
$499 billion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$106,456
POPULATION
5.03 million

Brazil
#9 in Scenic
#27 in Best Countries Overall
Occupying half of South America’s land mass, Brazil is the giant of the continent – both in size and in population. Brazil’s history is filled with economic turmoil, veering from boom to bust, and its culture is a melting pot that has traditionally welcomed the world. Brazil is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. However, the country in the 21st century confronts serious questions touching on poverty, inequality, governance and the environment.
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GDP
$1.61 trillion
GDP PER CAPITA, PPP
$16,056
POPULATION
214 million