If you live in Canada, you already know it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but it’s always nice to see that recognized on a global stage.
Each year, travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller releases its list of the most beautiful countries, and, naturally, Canada made the cut. While the magazine included Canada among the 40 most beautiful countries last year, the latest list narrows it down to just 29, and Canada still holds its place.
“As these countries age like fine wine, evolving more nuances and growing more and more spaces to admire, we like to revisit this list every year to shine a light on some new favourites and blow the dust off timeless classics,” states the magazine.
Countries were picked based on sights worth the trip, such as UNESCO Heritage sites, their beaches, and “otherworldly landscapes.”
So what makes Canada a top pick?
According to Condé Nast Traveller, there are far too many reasons why it earned a spot on the list, noting that the expansive nation “almost has too many beautiful sites to start picking favourites.”
The magazine does single out Torngat Mountains National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador, highlighting its dramatic glaciers and fjords, as well as the wildlife that call it home, including bears and caribou.
Alberta’s Banff also gets a shoutout for its “serene and pristine” beauty, as does Yukon’s more “extreme” Kluane National Park and Reserve, which features boreal forests, lakes, and northern wildlife.
And if you’re looking for more natural beauty, Canada has a total of 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves with landscapes ranging from mountains to forests and tundra.
If that’s not enough, according to Parks Canada, the country is home to 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Alberta’s otherworldly Dinosaur Provincial Park, Ontario’s Rideau Canal, which stretches from Kingston to Ottawa, and SG̱ang Gwaay station in B.C., which commemorates the culture of the Haida people.
For Canadians in search of beauty and adventure, they needn’t look further than their own backyard.
“They’re all sure to delight the thrill-seekers and bucket-listers who dare to say bring it on,” states Condé Nast Traveller.
Other countries on the list include China, Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Mexico, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, Tanzania, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, Vietnam, New Zealand, Bolivia, the U.K., Croatia, Iceland, Namibia, Greece, Norway, Turkey, Nepal, and Switzerland.
Check out the full list on Condé Nast Traveller’s website.