What it’s like to visit a country that doesn’t officially exist

Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN
8 minute read
Published 7:22 AM EDT, Mon July 6, 2020
<strong>Unrecognized nations:</strong> Brazilian Guilherme Canever recounts his trips to 16 countries that aren't formally recognized in his book "Unrecognized Nations: Travels To Countries That Do Not Exist."
Unrecognized nations: Brazilian Guilherme Canever recounts his trips to 16 countries that aren't formally recognized in his book "Unrecognized Nations: Travels To Countries That Do Not Exist."
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Tibet: </strong>Canever spent time in the remote territory known as the "roof of the world," which asserted itself a fully independent country before it was invaded by China in 1950.
Tibet: Canever spent time in the remote territory known as the "roof of the world," which asserted itself a fully independent country before it was invaded by China in 1950.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Transnistria: T</strong>his breakaway state between Moldova and Ukraine declared its independence in 1990, but is still not recognized as a country by the UN.
Transnistria: This breakaway state between Moldova and Ukraine declared its independence in 1990, but is still not recognized as a country by the UN.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Western Sahara: </strong>Positioned on the northwest coast of Africa, this former Spanish colony has been occupied by Morocco since 1975. However, the rebel Polisario Front disputes this, continuing to seek independence for the region.
Western Sahara: Positioned on the northwest coast of Africa, this former Spanish colony has been occupied by Morocco since 1975. However, the rebel Polisario Front disputes this, continuing to seek independence for the region.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Karakalpakstan:</strong> Made up of mainly uninhabited desert, this autonomous republic located in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan.
Karakalpakstan: Made up of mainly uninhabited desert, this autonomous republic located in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Somaliland:</strong> Despite unilaterally declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland hasn't been recognized as a sovereign nation by any other country.
Somaliland: Despite unilaterally declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland hasn't been recognized as a sovereign nation by any other country.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Kosovo:</strong> In 2008, Kosovo formally declared independence from Serbia, but while it's recognized as an independent state by many countries, as well as the International Olympic Committee, it's still not a UN member.
Kosovo: In 2008, Kosovo formally declared independence from Serbia, but while it's recognized as an independent state by many countries, as well as the International Olympic Committee, it's still not a UN member.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Kosovo:</strong> Foreign visitors to Kosovo have been increasing year on year, with the majority coming from Albania, Turkey and Germany.
Kosovo: Foreign visitors to Kosovo have been increasing year on year, with the majority coming from Albania, Turkey and Germany.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Northern Cyprus:</strong> While Turkey recognizes this area of Cyprus as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, to the rest of the world it's the Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
Northern Cyprus: While Turkey recognizes this area of Cyprus as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, to the rest of the world it's the Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Abkhazia:</strong> "It's not what you'd expect of a country that doesn't exist," Canever says of the self-declared sovereign state. "A lot of Russians go there during the summer for the beaches [Abkhazia is bordered by over 200 kilometers of Black Sea coastline]. "
Abkhazia: "It's not what you'd expect of a country that doesn't exist," Canever says of the self-declared sovereign state. "A lot of Russians go there during the summer for the beaches [Abkhazia is bordered by over 200 kilometers of Black Sea coastline]. "
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Abkhazia: </strong>Canever visited the New Athos Monastery in Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia with strong ties to Russia that's one of two disputed territories in the Caucasus.
Abkhazia: Canever visited the New Athos Monastery in Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia with strong ties to Russia that's one of two disputed territories in the Caucasus.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Nagorno-Karabakh:</strong> Like various other disputed countries, Nagorno-Karabakh is at the center of a long-running conflict between two nations. In this case, it's Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Nagorno-Karabakh: Like various other disputed countries, Nagorno-Karabakh is at the center of a long-running conflict between two nations. In this case, it's Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Palestine: </strong>While the Palestinian state is recognized by more than 100 countries, including Turkey, it's not recognized by key countries such as the United States and the UK.
Palestine: While the Palestinian state is recognized by more than 100 countries, including Turkey, it's not recognized by key countries such as the United States and the UK.
Guilherme Canever
<strong>Extensive project:</strong> Canever's book "Unrecognized Nations: Travels To Countries That Do Not Exist" is available internationally from July 4.
Extensive project: Canever's book "Unrecognized Nations: Travels To Countries That Do Not Exist" is available internationally from July 4.
Guilherme Canever
What it's like to travel around 'countries that don't exist'
CNN  — 

They have their own governments, passports, citizens and even currency in some cases.