The least known countries in the world tend to be small, remote, and often island nations with low populations and limited global visibility. Among the most frequently cited least known countries are:
- Nauru : A tiny island republic in Micronesia, it is the third smallest country in the world and was once the least visited country, with only about 1,160 tourists per year. Its obscurity is due to its small size (21 square kilometers), remote location, and limited attractions or infrastructure for tourism
- Tuvalu : A remote Polynesian island nation in the Pacific Ocean, with only about 3,700 visitors in 2023. Its geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and vulnerability to climate change make it one of the least visited and least known countries globally
- Kiribati : Another Pacific island nation, known for being one of the poorest countries with scarce natural resources. It ranks among the least visited and least known countries, partly due to its remoteness and economic challenges
- São Tomé and Príncipe : A small island country off the coast of Central Africa, known for difficult access and low tourist numbers. It is often cited as one of the least known countries, with only about 55,500 tourists as of 2017
Other countries frequently mentioned for their obscurity include South Sudan, Solomon Islands, Djibouti, and several small African and Pacific island nations like Comoros, Vanuatu, and Micronesia
. In summary, Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and São Tomé and Príncipe stand out as some of the least known countries in the world due to their small size, remote locations, low tourism, and limited international exposure
