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The 25 Destinations You must Visit According to National Geographic

National Geographic has released its list of 25 must-see destinations for 2020 . This list presents places from all over the world and is part of the magazine's efforts in favor of more sustainable tourism. Its choices take into account a number of factors, including cultural engagement, diversity, value, accessibility and community benefits. Divided into four categories, the list offers suggestions for travelers with an emphasis on culture, city life, nature or adventure. The sites were chosen in collaboration with 17 National Geographic Traveler editorial teams around the world. Find out which places are on the list.

Parc national de Zakouma, Chad

This park is located south of the Sahara Desert, and is known for its lively wildlife. After taking drastic measures to prevent poaching of elephants, only 24 elephants have been hunted illegally in the park in the past 10 years. The region's elephant population has increased for the first time in years.

There are also antelopes, hartebeest, giraffes, buffaloes and rhinos.

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Located in eastern Russia, the Kamchatka peninsula consists of two mountain ranges, with 127 volcanoes, of which 22 are still active. There are also geysers, hot springs and many rivers and swamps. The region is known for its harsh winters and cool, wet summers. It is inhabited by the indigenous Korak, Chukchi and Kamchadale populations.

Tohoku region, Japan

The Tohoku region of Japan is known for its mountains, hot springs and lakes, but also for its very cold winters. It is less than three hours by train from Tokyo, which will host the 2020 Summer Olympics .

Wales Way, United Kingdom

The Wales Way is made up of three national routes that take travelers across the country, each route providing a unique experience. The North Wales Way follows the old trade route along North Wales, while the Cambrian Way winds through mountainous regions. Finally, the Coastal Way goes up the west coast of Wales, around Cardigan Bay and several seaside towns.

Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria

Located between alpine meadows and meadows, the high alpine road (named after the country's highest peak, the Grossglockner, over 3,650 meters high) offers a beautiful walk through the Austrian Alps.

Tasmania, Australia

The island of Tasmania, currently one of Australia's hottest travel destinations, is rich in history and culture. There are beautiful beaches along the coast and mountains, driving a few hours inland. Hobart, its capital, is known for its lively art scene with the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which combines art and architecture. The museum also has a vineyard and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

It is one of the most famous parks in the United States: the Grand Canyon offers a magnificent spectacle of eroded rocks, and all the beautiful colors that accompany them.


Maldives

Located in the Indian Ocean, this magnificent island offers white sandy beaches and has a rich heritage that combines Indian, Sri Lankan, Arab and North African culture. The state has also been a pioneer in the fight against climate change since 1987.

Canary Islands, Spain

This archipelago is a popular tourist destination. Its volcanic lands cultivate bananas, oranges, coffee, sugar cane and dates. There are two groups of islands: the western islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and Ferro, and the eastern islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and six smaller islets.

Blue trail, Hungary

This popular hiking destination attracts adventurers from all over the world. She became famous after shooting a documentary on the trail in 1979.

Białowieża Forest, Belarus / Poland

Located on the border between Poland and Belarus, this magnificent forest is known for its biodiversity and is home to the largest population of bison in Europe. The forest covers 141,884 hectares. National Geographic calls it " one of the last true wild places in Europe ".


Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa

This desert extends over Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. There are over 400 different species of plants, and it is the birthplace of lions, leopards, cheetahs, oryx gazelles, meerkats, and more. It is also home to the largest antelope in Africa, the Cape eland.

Magdalen Islands, Canada

The Magdalen Islands are made up of eight individual islands. Each has its own culture and unique adventures. There are also adorable harp seal pups in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the coast of the archipelago.

Puebla, Mexico

The fourth city in Mexico, Puebla is known for its 350 churches and exceptional architecture. The Santo Domingo church (in the photo above) is known for its beautiful Baroque structures covered with gold. It is also distinguished by its authenticity, distinguishing itself from other Mexican regions, more frequented by tourists.

Parma, Italy

This city is known for its gastronomy, especially cheese and prosciutto. The region is also home to a number of museums and historic cathedrals, such as Parma Cathedral. It has even been named " Italian capital of culture for 2020 ".

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This Eastern European destination is known for its old stone buildings and paved roads. There is also a charming bridge over the Neretva River, a version of the 16th century Stari Most (old bridge), rebuilt in 2004.

Fort Kochi, Inde

A Rey/Getty Images

Known to be the first European colony in India, Fort Kochi is a mixture of many cultures. The exhibition of Chinese fishing nets (see above) is one of the most famous historic sites in the region.

Telč, Czech Republic


While the original city was burnt down in 1530, the reconstructed area has now become one of the most beautiful destinations in the Czech Republic. Its historic center has even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . There is also a castle, with fine examples of Renaissance architecture.

Philidelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

National Geographic/Dina Litovsky

Also known as "The City of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia is known for its historical and cultural ties to the founding of the United States - and you may have heard that its Cheese Steaks were not not too bad either.


Abu Simbel, Egypt

Shutterstock / Dan Breckwoldt

This archeological site is home to two temples built by Ramses II. Four statues of the King of Egypt can be seen at the front of the temple. Nearby is another temple dedicated to Nefertari, built to serve the worship of the goddess of heaven, Hathor.

Province de Mendoza, Argentine

David Noton Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

The province, located in the high peaks of the Andes, has three wine regions and a few hundred-year-old vineyards.

Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala

At the end of 2018, a recent study of the region revealed more than 60,000 previously unknown structures on the territory, which indicates that the Maya civilization was much larger than what was believed. Before the discovery, it was said to have spread from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Belize.


Göbekli Tepe, Turquie

This city is home to what is believed to be one of the oldest temples in the world - the Göbekli Tepe temple, believed to be over 11,000 years old.


Guizhou Province, China

CNN said Guizhou province is one of the fastest growing provinces in China. It is also home to the longest cave in Asia and is home to one of the country's most popular spirits, the Moutai .


Asturias, Spain

The Principality of Asturias is located along a rugged coastline and offers magnificent views of the sandy beaches. It is also known for its wildlife, such as wolves and wild boars that roam the area. The region has not experienced much tourist activity in the past, making it an ideal place to get away from it all and escape the crowds.