How many countries have you visited?

[Spongbob]

I'm still trying to get a downloadable definitive list - every site I look at varies

The UN member countries list has some oddities for travellers, with HKG, RoC, and UK counties being the most obvious.

 

[boxjelly5]

there’s An app that covers all these lists. It’s called. Mark O‘Travel You can choose to measure by differing criteria.

 

[The Astronomer]

there’s An app that covers all these lists. It’s called. Mark O‘Travel You can choose to measure by differing criteria.

That sounds interesting! Thanks!

 

[Nukie]

I've managed 64 countries and all 7 continents. Had hoped to make 100 but I that is (very) wishful thinking!

 

[sammy]

I’m at 57. Including Antarctica (where I spent the night in a tent)
Some are a bit iffy. I counted Guam as Micronesia (although also an unincorporated part of the US) and Saipan as the Northern Marianas. We spent many vacation in both when living in Japan.
I also counted New Caledonia, even though it’s not on the list.
Such an interesting exercise, I think I’ll download that app.

 

[GaryLG]

Looks like 32 countries and 4 continents for me that it does depend on a few of the factors already mentioned.

 

[keilya]

I am around the 60 mark but some issues with definitions. For example quite some years back landed in Hong Kong (pre 97), then into Macau (passport presented) and then in mainland China (passport presented). Is it 1,2 or 3?

 

[SydneySwan]

I am around the 60 mark but some issues with definitions. For example quite some years back landed in Hong Kong (pre 97), then into Macau (passport presented) and then in mainland China (passport presented). Is it 1,2 or 3?

I would count that as 3 although no doubt PRC government would view that as 1.

 

[VPS]

I am around the 60 mark but some issues with definitions. For example quite some years back landed in Hong Kong (pre 97), then into Macau (passport presented) and then in mainland China (passport presented). Is it 1,2 or 3?

I would also count that as 3

 

[coyote25]

I am around the 60 mark but some issues with definitions. For example quite some years back landed in Hong Kong (pre 97), then into Macau (passport presented) and then in mainland China (passport presented). Is it 1,2 or 3?

I agreed with above responses this is 3 countries.
Now would someone count Tibet? I don’t believe you can use the standard China visa to travel to Tibet.

Anyway I’ve been to all seven continents, for Antarctica I camped on the mainland for one night and given the special Antarctica treaty arrangements I’m counting it as a country (cheeky I know!).

 

[keilya]

I'd count that for mine!

 

[p--and--t]

IMHO

If you travelled before July 1997 Hong Kong, Macau, China =3

If you been to Taiwan anytime +1

If you been to Tibet anytime +1

 

[dajop]

My criteria are that (1) it needs to be a recognised independent sovereign state and a UN member at the time I visited (except that I also count Vatican, which is independent but not in the UN),

Do you fear offending the PRC or Serbia? If not, I'd add two "countries" to the list to include Taiwan and Kosovo.

But I wouldn't count Hong Kong or Macau.

 

[The Astronomer]

Do you fear offending the PRC or Serbia? If not, I'd add two "countries" to the list to include Taiwan and Kosovo.

But I wouldn't count Hong Kong or Macau.

Interesting point. I've been to Taiwan but not Kosovo, and I've wondered about whether to include these as countries for the purpose of this question. . Perhaps one more detail about whether a place is a country or not, for this purpose, is to look at the degree of international recognition of the place as an independent state.

 

[Mattg]

I'm up to 61 countries so far.

I don't count countries where I've only changed flights and haven't left the airport (or just passed through on a train).

 

[The Astronomer]

I'm up to 61 countries so far.

I don't count countries where I've only changed flights and haven't left the airport (or just passed through on a train).

Neither do I - I don't think those should count at all.

 

[dajop]

So strictly speaking, in answering "How many countries have you visited?", you shouldn't count the country you live in, unless you have visited it when you were living in another country. So for many, should they count Australia?

My total is 59.

I didn't include those I've just passed through on a train, but did include day trips to Monaco and Vatican, as well as Zambia ( I counted this, as we didn't just visit Victoria Falls - Zambian side, but also changed currency, and went into the nearby town - Livingstone - and ate something there).

 

[Archphoto]

So strictly speaking, in answering "How many countries have you visited?", you shouldn't count the country you live in, unless you have visited it when you were living in another country. So for many, should they count Australia?

My total is 59.

I didn't include those I've just passed through on a train, but did include day trips to Monaco and Vatican, as well as Zambia ( I counted this, as we didn't just visit Victoria Falls - Zambian side, but also changed currency, and went into the nearby town - Livingstone - and ate something there).

On that criteria, I can safely say "yes" - visited several times when I was living in London and Bangkok.

 

[JessicaTam]

I use the criteria of a friend of mine: must be landside/left the train station, and must have used a toilet.

So that allows Vatican City to be included for me.

 

[Nukie]

I use the criteria of a friend of mine: must be landside/left the train station, and must have used a toilet.

That's the best definition ever!