Canada — the second-largest country in the world after Russia — is made up of 10 provinces and three territories. They extend from the Atlantic all the way to the Pacific, south to the U.S. border, and north to the Arctic Circle. For a country so expansive, however, Canada is sparsely populated by only about 39 million residents. Yet, from the bustling cityscape of Ontario’s capital to the serene beauty of the Maritime provinces and the untamed wilderness of the Yukon, cultural richness and natural wonders abound across the Great White North. Read on for an essential guide to Canada’s provinces and territories.

Alberta

Alberta boasts one of the largest oil reserves in the world, but this Prairie province’s topography is much more than mined flatlands. Its diverse landscape also includes the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the stunning turquoise glacial runoff waters of Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Alberta officially became a Province on September 1, 1905, and was named for Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria and the wife of John Campbell, one-time Governor General of Canada. 

About 60% of its 255,000 square miles is covered by forest, and 4.7 million people call this rapidly growing province home. Aside from its stunning national parks, which include Banff and Jasper, Alberta is home to major cities such as Edmonton and Calgary — the latter of which celebrates its cattle ranch past with the world-renowned Calgary Stampede rodeo every year.

British Columbia

Located on Canada’s picturesque western coast, British Columbia’s 17,000 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline range from low-lying wetlands to dramatic fjords. Just over 5 million people live in the province’s 364,000 square miles, and many enjoy active outdoor lifestyles thanks to British Columbia’s mild and temperate climate and stunning natural landscapes.

The colony of British Columbia was founded in 1858 during the Fraser River Gold Rush. In July 1871, it joined the Canadian Confederation and officially became a province. It’s hard to find a spot that isn’t beautiful in “B.C.,” as its known locally, whether exploring the remote Haida Gwaii archipelago, the old-growth forests of MacMillan Provincial Park, or taking in a view of the North Shore Mountains from the province’s biggest city, Vancouver. 

Manitoba

Manitoba holds an important place in Canadian history. It was the birthplace of the Métis people’s resistance, led by Louis Riel, which resulted in the region’s entry into Confederation in 1870. The central-Canadian province’s landscape spans 250,000 square miles and more than 100,000 lakes, including Lake Winnipeg — the fifth-largest freshwater lake in Canada.

Manitoba is generally flat, and during the winter months it’s often exposed to frigid Arctic air masses that blanket the area for weeks at a time. That doesn’t deter the 1.4 million people who call it home — though its lakes freeze, they become havens for snowmobilers, skiers, and ice fishers. The province’s primary cultural and economic hub is Winnipeg, the capital and largest city. Meanwhile, the tiny, remote town of Churchill is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” a place where polar bears and beluga whales migrate in droves in the summer. 

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual Canadian province. Of the more than 800,000 people who call the province home, 42% of them speak both French and English, the two official languages. This eastern province spans approximately 28,000 square miles, making it the largest of Canada’s three Maritime provinces. Founded as a colony in 1784, New Brunswick is also one of the oldest provinces, becoming one of the original four to join the Confederation in 1867.

New Brunswick is renowned for its stunning coastal scenery along the Bay of Fundy, home to the famous Flowerpot Rocks and the world’s highest tides. That’s not the only coastal wonder: Canada’s warmest salt water beaches can be found along New Brunswick’s eastern border along the Northumberland Strait. New Brunswick’s biggest cities — Fredericton, St. John, and Moncton — are popular university towns and have thriving independent music and arts scenes. Meanwhile, the small town of Florenceville is home to the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, McCain’s.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The coastal province of Newfoundland and Labrador is known for glacier-carved fjords, alpine vistas, and historically significant fossil sites. The easternmost Canadian province is also the country’s youngest, having only joined Canada in 1949. The region — which includes the island of Newfoundland and the mainland portion of Labrador — spans over 156,000 square miles and is home to around 520,000 people, many of them concentrated in its capital city of St. John’s.

The province holds a deep connection to its maritime heritage, evident in its fishing villages, lighthouses, and the historic significance of sites like Signal Hill — where the first transatlantic wireless signal was received. One of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most unique annual attractions occurs when massive icebergs migrate along its coasts. It also boasts the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gros Morne, with rare geological formations and immaculate landscapes. 

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia — Latin for “New Scotland” — is the second-smallest province in Canada in terms of area, covering 21,345 square miles. However, Nova Scotia is the most populous of the Atlantic provinces — just over 1 million people call its rolling hills, dense forests, and saltwater shorelines home. In 1867, Nova Scotia became one of Canada’s founding provinces.

Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail is a popular 200-mile scenic drive around the northern edge of Cape Breton, while the fishing village of Peggy’s Cove takes visitors to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean as they stand under its famous lighthouse. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Nova Scotia is also known for its maritime heritage, highlighted by the iconic Bluenose schooner and rich Celtic and Acadian cultural and musical traditions.

Ontario

From the CN Tower to Niagara Falls and Parliament Hill, the province of Ontario encompasses some of Canada’s most iconic landmarks. It’s also the most populous province, home to over 15.6 million people. But at 415,000 square miles, it’s not the largest — that honor goes to Quebec. When Ontario joined the Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867, it was known as Canada West — the western arm of the one-time Province of Canada, which also included the future province of Quebec to the east. 

Ontario’s capital city of Toronto is the most populous metro area in Canada, home to over 6.6 million people, and a global financial and entertainment hub. A few hours north, Algonquin Provincial Park is a beloved gateway to unspoiled and, at times, rugged wilderness.

Prince Edward Island

The smallest province in Canada is known affectionately as “P.E.I.”  Prince Edward Island covers just over 2,000 square miles, and is home to about 170,000 people. P.E.I. is considered the country’s Birthplace of Confederation, having hosted leaders and meetings in 1864. Despite that fact, the one-time British colony didn’t become a Canadian province until 1873, six years after the first provinces joined.

P.E.I. is known for its unique red-sand beaches, a result of high iron in the surrounding soil. Thunder Cove Beach also has beautiful sandstone cliffs and sea stacks on the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Cavendish Beach is the most famous on the island, but it does get busy with fans of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables series. They come to the small shore from all over the world to visit the setting of the Canadian literary classic.  

Quebec

Quebec is by far the largest province, with its 524,000 square miles accounting for 15.4% of the country’s total area. Established as a French colony in 1608 and made a province in 1867, Quebec continues to foster a deeply rooted French-Canadian culture. The province’s almost 9 million residents help sustain a singular Quebecois arts and entertainment ecosystem and keep Francophone culture strong. 

Quebec is well-known for its ski resorts, including Mont Tremblant, carved into the Laurentian Mountains and featuring a charming Swiss-inspired town. The provincial capital, Quebec City, is one of the oldest European settlements in North America, home to cobblestone streets and 17th-century architecture. Montreal is the province’s largest city, home to neighborhoods such Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End that offer a laid-back, creative atmosphere. And no trip to Quebec is complete without a visit to a sugar shack: Maple syrup is the province’s specialty, and over 90% of the country’s supply comes from the province’s lush forests.

Saskatchewan

Landlocked in the heart of Canada, the endless horizons of Saskatchewan’s vast prairies lend the province its nickname, the “land of the living skies.” The moniker perfectly conjures the way a sunset’s glow lingers and the clouds constantly paint the sky so uniquely in this region. Covering 252,000 square miles, Saskatchewan became its own province in 1905, when it broke away from the southern region of the Northwest Territories (along with Alberta).

The province’s economy has historically been rooted in grains, earning it another nickname: “Canada’s Breadbasket.” The 1.2 million people who call Saskatchewan home are privy to unique outdoor experiences, including fishing in its numerous lakes, exploring the rugged coulee landscape of Grasslands National Park, and, in the northern part of the province, witnessing unique natural wonders such as the northern lights and the Athabasca Sand Dunes.

Northwest Territories

In 1870, the Northwest Territories were officially established as a federal territory of Canada. The expansive unspoiled territory covers 520,000 square miles but houses just over 45,000 inhabitants. It boasts incredible natural wonders, including the Nahanni National Park Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its rugged canyons and hot springs with a view. 

Many diverse Indigenous communities call the Northwest Territories home, including the Dene, Metis, and Inuit peoples. The region is a land of extremes, where frigid winters give way to fleeting summers of almost-endless daylight. Here, the northern lights can be seen more nights than not, and the surreal seaside landmark known as the Smoking Hills has been billowing on the shores of the Arctic Ocean for thousands of years.

Nunavut

The newest and largest Canadian territory, Nunavut covers a mind-boggling 808,000 square miles, but is sparsely populated by only about 40,000 people, predominantly of the Inuit culture. It was established in 1999 as a result of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, which sought to recognize the rights of the Indigenous Inuit peoples, granting them self-governance over their ancestral lands. 

Nunavut is defined by boundless tundras, icy fjords, and a unique ecosystem supporting a range of wildlife. Polar bears, whales, and most of Canada’s muskoxen population call this Arctic archipelago home. The territory’s culture is celebrated through traditional Inuit arts, such as throat singing, and festivals like Nunavut Day, which celebrates what makes it one of Canada’s most fascinating and culturally important regions.

Yukon

In 1898, the Klondike Gold Rush prompted the Canadian government to split Yukon from the Northwest Territories and make a new territory. Today, the territory’s expansive landscape encapsulates over 186,000 square miles and contains some of the highest mountains in Canada (including Mount Logan and Luciana), pristine lakes, and over 100 million acres of boreal forests that are teeming with wildlife. The forests are home to Woodland caribou and grizzly bears — historically significant to the area’s Indigenous communities.

Over two-thirds of the territory’s 44,000 residents live in Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital since 1953 and a great place to wander during the 24-hour sunlight that happens near the summer solstice. Today, the Klondike region and its historical sites like Dawson City help preserve the legacy of the Gold Rush era. 

The Caribbean Sea is home to more than 700 tropical islands that have long provided vacation bliss for warm-weather seekers. Some islands are far-flung and difficult to reach, while others attract hordes of visitors every year. Looking to get off the beaten path on your next Caribbean adventure? Here are five beautiful and fascinating, but underrated, islands in the Caribbean that you might not know.

Saba

The smallest island on our list, Saba clocks in at just 5 square miles and has a population of around 2,000 people. Located 30 miles south of St. Martin, Saba is a special municipality of the Netherlands, but the primary language here is English, and the U.S. dollar is the national currency. Prior to colonization in 1632, the Cibney peoples founded what is now known as Fort Bay, followed by the Arawaks and the Caribs. 

Saba’s pristine natural beauty and rich biodiversity have earned it the nickname of “the Unspoiled Queen.” Scuba diving, hiking Mount Scenery (the highest point of land in the Dutch Kingdom), and exploring the island’s four quaint towns are some of the top attractions. A 90-minute boat ride or a 17-minute flight from St. Martin is all it takes to reach the island’s idyllic shores. If you choose to fly, brace yourself for landing on the 1,300-foot runway (the shortest commercial runway in the world) that clings to the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean. 

Barbuda

The sister island of better-known Antigua, Barbuda is a laid-back, single-village island with dreamy beaches and considerably fewer tourists. Though Barbuda only covers 62 square miles, its marvelous beaches more than make up for its small size, and the island’s luxury resorts draw honeymooners seeking a private getaway.

Nature and history lovers can head to the untamed Two Foot Bay, with access to caves with prehistoric engravings on the walls, and discover the only nesting ground for frigate birds outside of the Galápagos Islands at the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Be sure to also explore Barbuda’s charming capital of Codrington to discover local markets and historic ruins. And you can’t go wrong for beaches, but Pink Sand Beach, Coco Point Beach, and Palmetto Point are all must-visits.

Dominica

While Dominica boasts plenty of pretty beaches, they aren’t its biggest claim to fame. The island — which, as of late, has become a popular ecotourism destination — is better known for its lush rainforests, hidden waterfalls, mountainous terrain, and dense forest cover. First colonized by the French and later the British, Dominica is one of the few Caribbean islands that has a significant population of indigenous Carib Indians. 

Nine volcanoes populate the 290-square-mile island, resulting in stunning black sand beaches and some of the most challenging hikes in the Caribbean. Adding to the long list of Dominica’s natural attractions are its sulfur springs, 365 rivers, and Boiling Lake — the second-largest flooded volcanic fumarole in the world. And if you’re perhaps wondering why all this beautiful scenery looks familiar, you might recognize it from 2006’s Pirate of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, part of which was filmed in Dominica.

Curaçao

Located 35 miles off the coast of northern Venezuela, Curaçao is the largest of the ABC islands (the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles, consisting of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao). The island only recently gained independence from the Netherlands in 2010, and there’s still plenty of evidence of Dutch influence. The capital, Willemstad, is lined with pastel-colored buildings with steep roofs, sidewalk cafes selling Dutch and Afro-Carib cuisine, and historic sites claiming UNESCO status. 

At 171 square miles and with a population of roughly 150,000 people, Curaçao doesn’t feel like a small remote island paradise, but it does offer plenty of variety to satisfy a range of visitors — from the sandy beaches of the southwest part of the island to the nightlife and restaurant scene in Otrabanda, with golfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling opportunities throughout.

Isla Holbox

Pronounced “ay-lah hol-bahsh,” this strip of sand off the coast of Cancun is quite unlike its party-hardy counterpart. A 2.5-hour boat ride from the mainland finds you on the sleepy shores of the 26-mile-long island surrounded by shallow waters. Holbox — with a name meaning “black hole” in the Mayan language due to the dark colored water in the Yalahau Lagoon — was used as a pirate hideout in the 16th century and was colonized by the Spanish in the 19th century. Attacks from Mayans in the 20th century forced mainlanders to flee to the island, eventually creating a tight-knit community of farmers and fishermen. 

Today, not much has changed on this quiet Mexican island, home to roughly 2,000 people, many of whom rely on fishing as their primary source of income. Visitors come to Isla Holbox to leave the sometimes hectic atmosphere of Cancun behind and reconnect with nature, stroll along picturesque white sand beaches, spot whale sharks and native birds, and dine on delicious Caribbean seafood.  

The world’s smallest countries are easy to miss when you look at a map. In fact, some are so small that they could fit entirely within New York City’s Central Park — with room to spare. But for what these bite-sized countries lack in size they more than make up for in culture and history. Here’s a look at the 12 smallest countries in the world based on geographical size.

12. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines covers a mere 150 square miles of area in the Caribbean Sea — which is only about twice the size of Washington, D.C. The country comprises St. Vincent island — measuring 18 miles long by 11 miles wide at its largest points — and the northern Grenadine Islands. While there are about 600 total islands in the archipelago, the country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines only contains 32 of its smaller islands and cays. In 1979, St. Vincent and the Grenadines voted to free itself from British rule, becoming the last of the Windward Islands (a group that also includes the countries of Dominica and St. Lucia) to achieve independence.

11. Grenada

Also located in the Caribbean Sea, about 100 miles north of Venezuela, Grenada covers 133 square miles of total land area. The island nation measures 21 miles long by 12 miles wide and forms the shape of an oval. Grenada achieved independence from the U.K. in 1974, though its head of state remains King Charles III and its official language is still English. Other languages spoken in Grenada include Grenadian Creole English and Grenadian Creole French —  reflecting the rich and storied history of the African, European, and Indigenous peoples who have called Grenada home throughout history.

10. Malta

The Mediterranean island nation of Malta covers 122 square miles and sits 58 miles off the southern coast of Sicily and 180 miles north of Africa. There are five islands that make up the country: the inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, plus the uninhabited islets of Kemmunett and Filfla. Prior to gaining independence from the U.K. in 1964, Malta played a key role supporting the Allied Forces during World War II. This tiny country was home to an important military base that proved to be a strategic location throughout the conflict. The British awarded the Maltese the George Cross in 1942 for their wartime contributions.

9. The Maldives

A bucket-list destination for many travelers, the Maldives consist of 1,200 tiny islands and sandbanks scattered around the Indian Ocean, combining to encompass 115 square miles of area. These islands — of which only some 200 are inhabited — extend 510 miles from north to south and around 80 miles from east to west. There are no gigantic mountains nor towering hills anywhere in the nation, as the Republic of Maldives is the world’s flattest country. On average, the coral beaches rise a mere four feet above sea level. The highest natural point in the Maldives — an unmarked spot on Addu Atoll — reaches only eight feet above sea level.

8. St. Kitts and Nevis

The smallest country in the Caribbean Sea, 104-square-mile St. Kitts and Nevis is formed by two distinct islands. St. Kitts is the larger of those islands, measuring 23 miles long and five miles wide. Nevis is located two miles southeast and is made up almost entirely of its namesake Nevis Peak, which reaches 3,232 feet above sea level. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was born in Nevis sometime between 1755 and 1757, at a time when it was a British territory. Hamilton lived there until moving to America in 1764.

7. Marshall Islands

Known by the name Majōl in the local Marshallese language, the Marshall Islands are made up of 1,200 islands and islets covering around 70 square miles of land. Incredibly, these islands are spread out over 180,000 square miles in the central Pacific Ocean. The islands form two parallel coral atolls that lie 125 miles apart. The largest of the country’s many atolls, Kwajalein, is just six square miles in area. The Marshall Islands are home to the infamous Bikini Atoll, which was the site of 23 nuclear bomb tests between 1946 and 1958 by the U.S. government. It also lent its name to the bikini bathing suit.

6. Liechtenstein

Covering an area of roughly 62 square miles, the European microstate of Liechtenstein borders Switzerland to the west and Austria to the east. Liechtenstein is the only country in the world with 100% of its territory located in the Alpine region. The country broke away from the Holy Roman Empire in 1866 and has maintained a neutral stance ever since, even remaining unaligned during World Wars I and II. One of Europe’s least-visited countries, Liechtenstein is one of the few world countries without an airport — you’ll need to fly into nearby Zurich, Switzerland, and take a train to visit.

5. San Marino

San Marino is one of two countries landlocked entirely within Italy (the other being Vatican City). This 24-square-mile country is the fifth-smallest nation in the world, and also the world’s oldest extant republic. San Marino was founded on September 3, 301, though it wasn’t until 1978 that the nation’s Declaration of Citizen Rights was formally recognized. The city of San Marino contains a trio of medieval fortresses known as the “Three Towers of San Marino.” These impressive fortifications were built in the 11th century and are now a popular tourist attraction.

4. Tuvalu

Tuvalu is composed of nine small islands that form a 420-mile-long chain across the South Pacific Ocean. Despite its substantial breadth, Tuvalu covers only 10 square miles of area and has just 14.9 miles of coastline. Prior to achieving independence in 1978, Tuvalu was a British colony known as the British Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Today, the country relies on an unusual export as one its major revenue sources: internet suffixes. In 1998, Tuvalu licensed the rights to its .tv country suffix, which is now used by many television companies and streaming services.

3. Nauru

Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation. This central Pacific sovereign state — which encompasses a mere 8.1 square miles of area — has no army, no rivers, and no protected regions. But it does have a history dating back several millennia, as Nauru is believed to have been first inhabited by Micronesian and Polynesian settlers around 1000 BCE. British captain John Fearn became the first European to arrive in Nauru in 1798, and the country later achieved independence in 1968. During the 1980s, Nauru boasted the highest GDP of any sovereign nation, making it among the wealthiest countries in the world for a time.

2. Monaco

Nestled between Italy and France along the French Riviera, Monaco is a European microstate covering a total area of 0.77 square miles — smaller than New York City’s Central Park. It also has the shortest coastline of any country on Earth, at just 2.5 miles in length. Despite its diminutive size, Monaco is home to around 40,000 residents, making it the most densely populated sovereign nation in the world. Since the 1860s, Monaco has been home to a thriving casino industry, though local residents are strictly prohibited from gambling — a rule that’s been in place since the mid-1800s. In exchange, those residents are exempt from paying income tax.

1. Vatican City

The world’s smallest sovereign state is Vatican City, which is entirely landlocked within Rome, Italy. Covering just 0.17 square miles, the Vatican serves as the global headquarters of the Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. The country achieved independence from Italy in 1929. Of course, Vatican City’s cultural history dates back long before then. It is home to stunning Renaissance-style architecture and renowned artistic works. One of the more recognizable landmarks is St. Peter’s Basilica, a gorgeous, domed structure that was completed in 1615. Vatican City also contains the Sistine Chapel, which was built in 1470 and features paintings such as Michaelangelo’s The Creation of Adam.

Home to some of the world’s earliest settlements, beautiful coastlines, and the soaring mountains which inspired its name, the Balkan Peninsula sits north of the Mediterranean Sea in southeastern Europe. Nine nations primarily make up the Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. The region also contains the self-declared independent nation of Kosovo, as well as parts of Greece and Turkey. While many Balkan countries were once united as the larger country of Yugoslavia, today, each Balkan state is known for its own unique identity. Here are nine fascinating facts you might not know about the Balkan countries.

In Albania, Nodding Your Head Up and Down Means “No” Instead of “Yes”

Albania — located in the western Balkan Peninsula across the Adriatic Sea from Italy — achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. Long before then, the region had forged a distinct cultural identity — so much so that it may be harder for modern-day travelers to communicate than one might expect. 

One noteworthy example: In Albania, nodding your head up and down actually means “no,” whereas shaking one’s head left to right signifies “yes.” Of course, that’s the opposite meaning of the gestures in much of the rest of the world. The practice is also common in other areas of the Balkans, including Bulgaria — but it’s unclear how exactly this contrast in customs originated. Some theorize that it dates back to defiance during the Ottoman occupation of the late 14th century.

Albanian is also one of the more difficult languages to learn, as it’s unrelated to any other major modern language. Within Albanian, there are two distinct dialects — Greg and Tosk — which are believed to have split around the fourth century CE. However, official records for the language only date back to the 15th century CE, and its origins remain murky. Albanian is still spoken by over 7.5 million people around the world.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Is Home to the Only Public Clock That Measures Lunar Time

While most clocks rely on solar time, that’s not the case for a unique clock tower in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Located in the city’s historic old town, the Old Clock Tower is the only known public clock that measures using lunar time. The clock tower dates back to the 16th century and is nicknamed “Little Ben” because of its equipment imported from England. Its lunar mechanisms were installed in the 1800s and tell time based on the movement of the sun and moon — meaning the clock tower strikes “midnight” at sunset each day.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is also known for its incredibly tiny coastline, measuring just 12 miles. After the nation declared sovereignty in 1991 (and later independence in March 1992), new nations took shape in the Balkans, and Bosnia and Herzegovina was almost entirely separated from the Adriatic Sea by Croatia. The lone exception was the town of Neum, which provides Bosnia with its only direct sea access. That makes Bosnia and Herzegovina the country with the second-shortest coastline in the world.

Bulgaria Is Home to the Oldest City in Europe

Bulgaria was founded in the seventh century, making it one of Europe’s oldest independent states. Long before then, the city of Plovdiv — now the second-largest Bulgarian city after Sofia — was settled back in the sixth millennium BCE. Some believe that its name at the time was Kendrisos, and it was first founded as a Thracian colony. This makes Plovdiv older than Athens, Greece, which was founded around 4000 BCE.

In approximately 342 BCE, Philip of Macedon took control of the city and renamed it Philippopolis after himself. The city was later conquered by the Romans, and many relics from that time remain today — including a 6,000-seat theater built during the reign of Trajan (98 CE to 117 CE). The name Plovdiv was first referenced in the 11th century CE, though it wasn’t until Bulgaria gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908 that the name Plovdiv was formalized.

Croatia Contains Over 1,000 Islands

Crescent-shaped Croatia is known for its stunning Adriatic coastline. While the majority of the country is located on the Balkan Peninsula, Croatia also includes over 1,000 islands scattered throughout the region. All but 47 of the islands are uninhabited, and many are quite small — only 15 or so are larger than 20 square miles in total area.

Some of the more majestic Croatian islands worth visiting include Krk, which is known for its Medieval-era monasteries and Romanesque churches. There’s also Brač, which is the country’s top destination for windsurfers, as well as Korčula, an island that’s said to be the birthplace of famed explorer Marco Polo.

Montenegro Is Home to Europe’s Oldest Olive Tree

The Mediterranean region is known for its plentiful olive groves. The continent’s oldest extant tree is located near the town of Stari Bar in Montenegro. Olive harvesting began in the region during the time of the Roman Empire over 2,000 years ago. This tree — known by the name Stara Maslina (which translates in English to Old Olive Tree) — is the oldest from that time and perhaps the oldest olive tree in the entire world.

Aptly named, the Old Olive Tree is estimated to be over 2,240 years of age, and it has been federally protected since 1957. The tree measures roughly 32 feet in diameter and still produces fruit today. The popular tourist attraction is one of over 100,000 olive trees located throughout the region, many of which are believed to have been planted over a millennium ago.

The Cyrillic Alphabet Was Invented in North Macedonia

From the time it broke away from Yugoslavia in 1991 until 2019, the nation now called North Macedonia was known as the Republic of Macedonia. However, the former Kingdom of Macedonia dates much further back to the seventh century BCE. The land which present-day North Macedonia occupies is believed to have been where the Cyrillic alphabet was created sometime around the 10th century CE. The Cyrillic alphabet is a writing system inspired by capital Greek letters that’s used by speakers of over 50 modern languages. It was invented by disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius, two missionaries who brought Christianity throughout the Slavic region in the late ninth century.

Romania’s Palace of Parliament Is the World’s Heaviest Building

Located in Romania’s capital city of Bucharest, the Romanian Palace of Parliament is the world’s heaviest building, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The colossal structure contains a whopping 1.5 billion pounds of steel and bronze combined with 35.3 million cubic feet of marble. Plus, it has an additional 7.7 million pounds of crystal glass combined with 31.7 million cubic feet of wood.

Construction on the Palace of Parliament began in 1984, and the building technically remains unfinished today. In addition to its immense weight, the structure spans over 3.5 million square feet and contains upwards of 3,000 rooms. It ranks among the largest administrative buildings in the world after the Reichstag in Berlin, Germany, and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Serbia Produces the World’s Most Expensive Cheese

Pule is a rare cheese that comes from Serbia. How rare? Only a single farm located in Serbia’s Zasavica Special Nature Reserve produces it. The cheese is an unusual combination of 60% donkey milk and 40% goat milk, and it requires upwards of 6.5 gallons of donkey milk to just over two pounds of pule cheese.

The cost of pule around $600 per pound, making it the most expensive cheese in the world. The farm where it’s cultivated was founded in the late 1990s by a man named Slobodan Simić. Amazingly, he actually produced his first batch by accident due to a surplus of donkey milk. The Zasavica Special Nature Reserve is one of just three areas in the former Yugoslav Republic that protects the breed of Balkan donkey used for pule.

Slovenia Has One Vineyard for Every 70 People

Slovenians are among the world’s foremost oenophiles. In fact, there’s estimated to be one vineyard for every 70 Slovenians, which equals around 28,400 wineries found throughout a country that’s roughly 1,000 square miles smaller than New Jersey. These wineries produce well over 20 million gallons of wine annually, but very little is exported around the world — Slovenians consume 94% of the wine that’s produced within their own borders.

In addition to wine, Slovenia is known for its rich history of beekeeping. The practice was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. Slovenia is home to a unique breed called the Carniolan bee, and there are around 200,000 bee colonies on Slovenian land that are managed by local beekeepers.