Reasonable Division of the World (or RDW)

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This is a list created to help travelers who aspire to visit in depth the whole world, dividing all the countries in a reasonable way, at a human level.

United Nations (UN) figure of 193 countries (plus the two observers Vatican and Palestine) is the base camp.

Travelers Century Club (TCC), with 330 subjects, adds to its list the 193 UN countries plus overseas territories and groups of islands. For instance, in USA, apart from the continental country, they add Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, plus American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Wake, Midway plus some small islands scattered in the Pacific. All overseas territories of France and United Kingdom are included, such as Reunion, Nouvelle Caledonie, Malvinas/Falklands Islands, or Pitcairn Island. Antarctica is divided into seven regions, while this continent is not considered in the list of the United Nations. If you visit the small seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, that counts as 7 points, but if you visit huge countries such as Brazil, or Argentina, Mexico or India, it only counts 1 point each country.

Most Traveled People (MTP), considers 1500 subjects. Apart from all 330 territories included in TCC, they have copied the division of the club Nomad Mania. Apart from that, in MTP are included too remote islands without population that have completely nothing to offer to a traveler, like Bouvet, Peter I, Rockall, Sable, Redonda, Kermadec Islands, Clipperton, and a long etcetera of useless territories. Besides, it is illogical that tiny Switzerland is divided by 26 cantons, same points than visiting 26 countries of Africa. MTP also includes the 14 secret GUINNESS territories: Soberana Orden Militar de Malta – Franz Josef Land – Altos del Golán – Paracel Islands – Spratly Islands – Ashmore and Cartier Islands – Coral Sea Islands – Howland and Baker Islands – Kingman Reef – Clipperton – Island Peter I – Heard and McDonald Islands – Bouvet – Dependencias de las Islas Malvinas.

Nomad Mania (NM), with 1.301 subjects, divides practically all the UN countries into regions. But they go much further and they divide regions into several parts, as for instance Alaska, California, New York and Texas in USA, Krasnoyarsk and Sakha in Russia, plus many provinces of China and some of India, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain, etc., so complicating unnecessarily the list. We do not have to be more papist than the Pope. Why the large country of Mexico instead of 32 states or regions is divided only into about 20, while the 31 provinces of China are divided in about 60 parts? They also count in their list several uninhabited russian islands in the arctic, like Severnaya Zemlya in the krai of Krasnoyarsk, or New Siberian Islands in the Republic of Sakha. And they consider that if you circumnavigate an island without landing in it (for instance Bouvet), only watching it from the distance, it counts as visited! That is an aberration that even MTP does not do, it is like fooling yourself; with that same criterion they could count the Moon as visited. Finally, they concede 1 point for reaching the Geographical North Pole and another one for the Geographical South Pole.

ISO, (or International Organization for Standardization) with around 4.000 subjects, is an organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, but californian great traveler Jeff Shea saw too many faults and some important territories missing, so he improved the list creating SISO (Shea ISO).

SISO is ISO with many improvements made by Jeff Shea. It is divided in 3.978 territories. The inconvenient is that diminutive countries such as Slovenia have almost 200 divisions while large countries like Kazakhstan only have 14. To visit countries with too many divisions, like Thailand, Vietnam, United Kingdom or Turkey looks too arduous because the maps do not help much. Furthermore, there are not 200 tourists attractions to visit in small Slovenia, or over 200 in England, so why to induce travelers to visit all those tiny territories?

Greatest Globetrotters (GG): German traveler Sascha Grabow, the creator of this club, divides the world in 1461 territories, including capitals of the 193 United Nations, plus 1 point for overland entry. That is, if you fly to, let us say, Berlin, you count 1 point for the capitl of Germany. But if you enter overland Germany, from instance from France by bus or by train, you get 1 more point. That system rewards the overland travel, instead of using airplanes.

RDW, with 1.492 subjects, is a personal attempt to make a logical list, at a human level and measure, a kind of simplified ISO and SISO. The regions listed should be reached with local transport (with a few exceptions for the historical interest, like Antarctica, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Pitcairn, Tristan da Cunha, plus Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises or TAAF), should be inhabited, and should be chosen the historical regions instead of the small tiny provinces. For instance, why to include 50 provinces in Spain (as ISO does) if we, spaniards, only have 17 regions? The same goes with the about 100 provinces of Italy within its 20 regions. or the more than 100 french departments. Why to include almost 200 territories in Slovenia when the historical parts of the country are just a few regions? … and so on. That is why I chose 17 regions for Spain (plus Ceuta and Melilla in Africa), 20 regions in Italy, 3 regions in Switzerland (speaking French, German, Italian), etc. When in doubt, I have selected the fewer regions option. For instance, France had 22 regions in Europe until 2015, then in 2016 they reduced them to 13, number that I use, but clubs such as MTP and Nomad Mania still use 22. Atoll Clipperton in France has been ignored because it is uninhabited, same with the Eparses Islands, while the military base of British Indian Ocean Territory has not been included because of the impossibility to get there by public transport, same as Wake and Midway in the Pacific Ocean. If you consider that to travel is to learn and not getting points in virtual travel clubs to visit uninhabited places without any interest, and you want to separate the wheat from the chaff, then you should consider adopting RDW list of territories when traveling.

Regarding the countries not yet recognized by the United Nations, I have tried to be official, that is, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are divided within Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh is to be found within Azerbaijan, Transnistria within Moldova, Somaliland within Somalia, Kosovo within Serbia, North Cyprus within Cyprus, Bougainville within Papua New Guinea, Donetsk and Lugansk within Ukraine, etc. If in the future there are changes and these territories obtain official full recognition by the United Nations, then I will show these new countries separately.

Here below you can see the RDW list that I propose and I myself follow:

EUROPE:

1 – Albania: 3 regions plus capital city Tirana. Total 4 subjects

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2 – Andorra: 1 region

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3 – Austria: 9 states

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4 – Belarus: 6 regions

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5 – Belgium: 3 regions

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6 – Bosnia and Herzegovina: 4 regions (including Brcko plus Republic of Srpska east and west), plus capital city Sarajevo. Total 5 subjects

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7 – Bulgaria: 9 oblasts

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8 – Croatia: 5 regions

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9 – Cyprus: 6 districts (including the part taken by Turkey, but excluding the British Sovereign Bases)

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10 – Czech Republic: 8 regions

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11 – Denmark: 5 regions plus Greenland, Faroe Islands and Bornholm Island. Total 8 subjects

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12 – Estonia: 4 regions plus Saaremaa Island. Total 5 subjects

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13 – Finland: 5 regions plus Aland Islands. Total 6 subjects

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14 – France: 13 regions plus French Polynesia (5 archipelagos: Marquesas, Leeward, Windward, Tuamotu-Gambier, Austral), New Caledonia, Wallis et Futuna, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Guadaloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Pierre et Miquelon, Mayotte, Reunion, Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises (TAAF). Total 29 subjects

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15 – Germany: 16 landers plus Heligoland Island. Total 17 subjects

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16 – Greece: 13 regions plus Mount Athos. Total 14 subjects

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17 – Hungary: 7 regions plus Budapest. Total 8 subjects

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18 – Iceland: 8 regions

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19 – Ireland: 6 regions (excluding Northern Ireland), plus capital city Dublin. Total 7 subjects

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20 – Italy: 20 regions plus Pelagie Islands (Lampedusa). Total 21 subjects

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21 – Latvia: 5 regions

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22 – Liechtenstein: 1 region

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23 – Lithuania: 5 regions

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24 – Luxemburg: 1 region

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25 – Malta: 1 region

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26 – Moldova: 6 regions (including Transnistria)

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27 – Monaco: 1 region

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28 – Montenegro: 3 regions

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29 – Netherlands: 12 provinces, plus Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius. Total 18 subjects

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30 – North Macedonia: 3 regions

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31 – Norway: 5 regions plus Svalbard Islands. Total 6 subjects

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32 – Poland: 16 regions

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33 – Portugal: 5 regions plus Azores and Madeira islands. Total 7 subjects

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34 – Romania: 9 regions

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35 – Russia: 83 regions plus Crimea and Sevastopol, plus Kuril Islands. Total 86 subjects

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36 – San Marino: 1 region

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37 – Serbia: 6 regions (including Kosovo)

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38 – Slovakia: 8 krajov

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39 – Slovenia: 6 regions

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40 – Spain: 17 authonomies plus Ceuta and Melilla. Total 19 subjects

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41 – Sweden: 8 regions plus Gotland Island. Total 9 subjects

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42 – Switzerland: 3 regions plus capital city Bern. Total 4 subjects

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43 – Ukraine: 25 regions (excluding Crimea and Sevastopol because were annexed by Russia)

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44 – United Kingdom: 15 regions. In England (9), Scotland (4, including Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides Islands), Wales (1) and Northern Ireland (1), plus Isle of Man, Channel Islands (2, Jersey and Guernsey), Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Malvinas/Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena, Ascension, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos Islands, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, British Soverain Bases in Cyprus. Total 32 subjects

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- Vatican City (Observer Country): 1 region

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TOTAL REGIONS IN EUROPE: 456

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ASIA:

45 – Afghanistan: 8 regions

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46 – Armenia: 11 regions

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47 – Azerbaijan: 8 regions, including Nakhchivan and Nagorno Karabakh

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48 – Bahrain: 1 region

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49 – Bangladesh: 8 regions

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50 – Bhutan: 3 regions

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51 – Brunei: 2 regions

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52 – Cambodia: 4 regions plus capital Phnom Penh. Total 5 subjects

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53 – China: 31 regions plus Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Total 34 subjects

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54 – Georgia: 12 regions, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia

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55 - India: 36 regions

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56 – Indonesia: 8 regions plus capital Jakarta, plus West Timor. Total 10 subjects

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57 – Iran: 7 regions plus capital Tehran and Qeshm Island. Total 9 subjects

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58 – Iraq: 5 regions plus capital Baghdad. Total 6 subjects

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59 – Israel: 6 regions plus the part of Judea and Samaria (but not Golan Heights, which officially belongs to Syria). Total 7 subjects

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60 – Japan: 8 regions plus Okinawa and Ogasawara Islands. Total 10 subjects

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61 – Jordan: 4 regions plus capital Amman. Total 5 subjects

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62 – Kazakhstan: 14 regions

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63 – Korea North: 4 regions

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64 – Korea South: 6 regions

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65 – Kuwait: 1 region

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66 – Kyrgyzstan: 7 oblast plus 2 independent cities (Bishkek and Osh). Total 9 regions

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67 – Laos: 3 regions plus capital Vientiane. Total 4 subjects

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68 – Lebanon: 6 regions

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69 – Malaysia: 5 regions plus Labuan Island, plus Langkawi Island. Total 7 subjects

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70 – Maldives: 1 region, plus North Male Atoll, plus Addu Atoll. Total 3 subjects

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71 – Mongolia: 5 regions plus capital Ulaanbaatar. Total 6 subjects

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72 - Myanmar: 14 regions

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73 – Nepal: 7 regions plus Kingdom of Mustang. Total 8 subjects

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74 – Oman: 4 regions plus capital Muscat and Musandam. Total 6 subjects

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- Palestine (Observer Country): 2 regions

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75 – Pakistan: 8 regions

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76 – Philippines: 17 regions

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77 – Qatar: 1 region

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78 – Saudi Arabia: 5 regions plus capital Riyadh. Total 6 subjects

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79 – Singapore: 1 region

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80 – Sri Lanka: 9 regions

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81 – Syria: 6 regions plus capital Damascus. Total 7 subjects

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82 – Tajikistan: 4 regions plus Capital City Dushanbe. Total 5 subjects

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83 – Thailand: 6 regions plus capital Bangkok. Total 7 subjects

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84 – Timor-Leste: 2 regions (main part and Oecusse)

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85 – Turkey: 7 regions plus Turkey in Europe, plus Istanbul, plus capital city Ankara. Total 10 subjects

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86 – Turkmenistan: 5 regions plus Ashgabat as Capital City District. Total 6 subjects

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87 – United Araba Emirates: 7 emirates

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88 – Uzbekistan: 14 regions

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89 – Vietnam: 8 regions plus Phu Quoc Island. Total 9 subjects

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90 – Yemen: 6 regions, plus Sana’a as Federal Capital, plus Socotra Islands. Total 8 subjects

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TOTAL REGIONS IN ASIA: 382

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AFRICA

91 – Algeria: 7 regions

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92 – Angola: 6 regions, including Cabinda

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93 – Benin: 2 regions

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94 – Botswana: 3 regions plus Capital City Gabarone. Total 4 subjects

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95 – Burkina Faso: 4 regions

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96 – Burundi: 1 region

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97 – Cameroon: 10 regions

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98 – Cape Verde: 2 regions (Ilhas do Barlavento and Ilhas do Sotavento)

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99 – Central African Republic: 4 regions plus capital Bangui. Total 5 subjects

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100 – Chad: 3 regions plus Capital City N’Djamena. Total 4 subjects

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101 – Comoros: 3 regions

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102 – Democratic Republic of the Congo: 11 regions

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103 – Republic of the Congo: 6 regions

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104 – Djibouti: 1 region

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105 – Egypt: 6 regions

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106 – Equatorial Guinea: 2 regions

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107 – Eritrea: 6 regions

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108 – Eswatini: 1 region

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109 – Ethiopia: 10 regions

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110 – Gabon: 3 regions plus capital Libreville. Total 4 subjects

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111 – Gambia: 2 regions

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112 – Ghana: 10 regions

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113 – Guinea: 7 regions

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114 – Guinea-Bissau: 2 regions

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115 – Ivory Coast: 14 regions

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116 – Kenya: 8 regions

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117 – Lesotho: 1 region

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118 – Liberia: 3 regions plus Capital City Monrovia. Total 4 subjects

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119 – Libya: 4 regions

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120 – Madagascar: 6 regions

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121 – Malawi: 3 regions

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122 – Mali: 8 regions plus Capital City Bamako. Total 9 subjects

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123 – Mauritania: 3 regions plus Capital City Nouakchott. Total 4 subjects

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124 – Mauritius: 3 regions (Mauritius, Rodrigues plus Agalega with Saint Brandon)

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125 – Morocco: 12 regions

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126 – Mozambique: 11 regions

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127 – Namibia: 4 regions plus capital Windhoek. Total 5 subjects

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128 – Niger: 8 regions

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129 – Nigeria: 6 regions plus Abuja Federal Capital Territory. Total 7 subjects

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130 – Rwanda: 1 region

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131 – Sao Tome and Principe: 2 regions

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132 – Senegal: 5 regions

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133 – Seychelles: 2 regions (Inner Islands plus Outer Islands)

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134 – Sierra Leone: 4 regions plus National Capital Freetown. Total 5 subjects

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135 – Somalia: 5 regions

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136 – South Africa: 9 regions

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137 – South Sudan: 3 regions

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138 – Sudan: 5 regions plus capital Khartoum. Total 6 subjects

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139 – Tanzania; 6 regions (including Zanzibar), plus capital Dar es Salam. Total 7 subjects

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140 – Togo: 3 regions

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141 – Tunisia: 3 regions

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142 – Uganda: 4 regions

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143 – Zambia: 5 regions

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144 – Zimbabwe: 8 provinces plus two cities with provincial status: Harare and Bulawayo. Total 10 regions

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TOTAL REGIONS IN AFRICA: 285

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AMERICA:

145 – Antigua and Barbuda: 2 regions

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146 – Argentina: 23 provinces plus 1 Authonomous City Buenos Aires. Total 24 subjects

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147 – Bahamas: 1 region plus Capital City Nassau. Total 2 subjects

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148 – Barbados: 1 region plus Capital City Bridgetown. Total 2 subjects

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149 – Belize: 5 regions

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150 – Bolivia: 9 regions

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151 – Brazil: 26 states, 1 Federal District, plus Fernando de Noronha Island. Total 28 subjects

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152 – Canada: 12 regions plus Newfounland (1) and Labrador (1). Total 14 subjects

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153 – Chile: 5 zonas plus Easter Island and Juan Fernandez Islands. Total 7 subjects

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154 – Colombia: 5 regions plus San Andres and Providencia Islands, plus Capital City Bogota. Total 7 subjects

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155 – Costa Rica: 7 regions

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156 – Cuba: 6 provincias plus Isla de la Juventud. Total 7 subjects

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157 – Dominica: 1 region plus Capital City Roseau. Total 2 subjects

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158 – Dominican Republic: 5 regions plus Capital City Santo Domingo. Total 6 regions

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159 – Ecuador: 3 regions plus Capital City Quito, plus Galapagos Islands. Total 5 subjects

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160 – El Salvador: 3 regions plus Capital City San Salvador. Total 4 subjects

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161 – Grenada: 1 region plus Grenadines Islands. Total 2 subjects

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162 – Guatemala: 5 regions plus Capital Guatemala City. Total 6 subjects

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163 – Guyana: 3 regions plus Capital City Georgetown. Total 4 subjects

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164 – Haiti: 3 regions plus the Capital Port-au-Prince. Total 4 subjects

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165 – Honduras: 3 regions plus Capital City Tegucigalpa, plus Islas de la Bahia. Total 5 subjects

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166 – Jamaica: 4 regions plus Capital City Kingston. Total 5 subjects

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167 – Mexico: 31 states plus Mexico City. Total 32 subjects

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168 - Nicaragua: 6 regions plus Corn Islands. Total 7 subjects

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169 – Panama: 4 regions plus San Blas Islands. Total 5 subjects

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170 – Paraguay: 4 regions

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171 – Peru: 10 regions

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172 – Saint Kitts and Nevis: 2 regions

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173 – Saint Lucia: 1 region plus Capital City Castries. Total 2 subjects

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174 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 2 regions

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175 – Suriname: 3 regions plus Capital City Paramaribo. Total 4 subjects

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176 – Trinidad and Tobago: 2 regions

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177 – United States: 50 states, 1 Federal District, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, US Virgin Islands. Total 56 subjects

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178 – Uruguay: 4 regions plus Capital City Montevideo. Total 5 subjects

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179 – Venezuela: 7 regions

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TOTAL REGIONS IN AMERICA: 295

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OCEANIA:

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180 – Australia: 8 regions plus Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, Torres Strait Islands. Total 13 subjects