'I've visited every country on Earth and my favourite was the very first one'

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Nicolás Pasquali, 44, who describes himself as the "first Argentinean to visit every country in the world", has finally managed to tick off North Korea from his list after eight years of travel
Nicolás Pasquali, a man who has travelled to every country on Earth, has revealed that his favourite place is closer to home than one might expect. Nicolás, who considers himself to be the "first Argentine to visit every country in the world", has recently smashed his impressive target after spending a remarkable eight years travelling.
In February, he finally put a pin in the last country on his list after a year waiting, the hermit kingdom of North Korea in East Asia, which often only grants tourists access via tightly controlled tours.
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However, you'd imagine that picking a favourite from the near-200 on offer would prove to be a tricky task, but Nicolás was left in "no doubt".
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In an interview with Argentine newspaper Infobae, he stated: "As an Argentinean, there's no doubt Argentina is number one. We have identity, culture, gastronomy, sports and unique natural landscapes. Despite economic problems, we keep standing out globally."
A sense of unity
Nicolás pointed out that the South American nation has a "marked identity and a sense of unity" that he hasn't "seen elsewhere". He went on to draw comparisons with England, pointing to one aspect in particular.
He went on to say: "You go to England, and Britons aren't proud of being British like we are proud of being Argentinean. We feel part of something bigger, which is impressive."
Language also plays a significant role for the Buenos Aires native, who went on to explain that Spanish is the "second-most spoken language", making it "easier for us to move around".
It's still a jewel
Nicolás encapsulated his experience by revealing something he'd learned while visiting all those other countries, a pearl of wisdom that may offer insight into his choice of Argentina as his favourite country.
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Reflecting on his homeland, he remarked: "When you live in Argentina, you think that in other countries everything is perfect. But the truth is that it's not. There are countries at war, countries where people don't even have water, and countries where you can't say what you think. And that's when you realise that Argentina, with all its problems, is still a jewel."
Second-largest country on the continent
Argentina, the second-largest country in South America, is divided into four distinct regions: the Andes, the Pampas, the north, and Patagonia.
The climate varies dramatically from subtropical in the north to sub- Antarctic conditions in the south, and the nation is home to an impressive array of wildlife.
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In the rugged terrain of Patagonia, intrepid adventurers might spot sea lions, penguins, and seals along the coast. Meanwhile, offshore in the Atlantic, you could encounter dolphins, orcas, and even sharks.
Up in the northern parts, the wildlife includes crocodiles, caimans, flamingos, toucans, and jaguars.
How many countries are there?
The UN (United Nations) recognises a total of 195 countries, 193 of which are member states. The final two regions are the non-member observer states of Vatican City and Palestine, although the true number is actually disputed.
This is due to a number of disputed zones and countries with either full or partial sovereignty, writes the BBC. In fact, the CIA (the US' Central Intelligence Agency) lists the full number as 237, for example.