8. Madain Saley National Historic Park, Saudi Arabia

Where many national parks are heavily forested, Madain Saley is almost entirely made up of desert and rock. It is still one of the most beautiful sights you’ll see, however, particularly when you come across one of the amazing oasis scattered throughout the park. An ancient burial ground is also located on the site. It’s estimated that the more than 125 tombs and facades were cut from rock somewhere between 500 BC and 100 AD. They are still in amazing condition and certainly worth a visit if you’re in the area.

6. Hortobagy, Hungary

Hortobagy National Park was the first national park in Hungary. It was established as a national park in 1973. In 1999, the Park was elected among the World Heritage sites. Hortobagy is rich with unique folklore and interesting cultural history. It’s an official refuge for wild horses and home to a number of endangered birds. The Park provides habitat for over 342 species of birds and is a bird watcher’s paradise, with plenty of migratory waterfowl, too.

5. Kakadu National Park, Australia

The Australian government and the aboriginal people work together to manage the Kakadu National Park. It is a World Heritage site and the amazing views attract tourists year round. One of the most interesting attractions is the aboriginal rock art that can be found in the area. It is also home to a range of animals, including the saltwater crocodile.

The flora of the Kakadu National Park is among the richest in northern Australia with over 1700 plant species, which is a result of the landform, geological and habitat diversity of the Park. The Kakadu National Park is also one of the world’s most weed free national parks. No wonder the Park draws hundreds of thousands of tourists per year.

4. Deosai, Pakistan

Deosai National Park is best known for its impressive flowers. Every spring, thousands of different types of flowers bloom. They form a living carpet of color that attracts an even larger variety of butterflies. The park is certainly worth seeing in the spring, though it is lovely all year round. Another point of interest would be the park’s incredible plateaus, some of the highest in the world.

In 1993, the Park was established to protect the Himalayan Brown Bear along with its habitat. Though the Government of Pakistan has taken several effective measures during the last decade, the bear is still under great threat. There are also many great and unique animals and birds. The Deosai National Park is a tourist attraction and many tourists who visit Baltistan also go to Deosai.

3. Kruger National Park, South Africa

One of the largest national parks in the world, Kruger covers millions of acres of land. It is host to an amazing number of African species, including elephants, giraffes and many other animals. You can check these animals out from viewing towers scattered throughout the park. Apart from the towers, development is nearly nonexistent and the park fends for itself in most ways.

The Park boasts 21 rest camps, 2 private lodge concessions, along with 15 private designated safari lodges. Camping in the Kruger National Park has become more popular with backpackers and tourists since it is cheaper, open to everyone and doesn’t require any special permission to partake. The Kruger National Park offers 9 different trails, including overnight, but you may not find trails in the wilderness areas.

2. Grand Canyon, the United States

The Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon over hundreds of years, creating an amazingly complex canyon. Tourists flock to the site every year to admire it or even to hike down and camp in the myriad of channels cut out by the water. The Grand Canyon is one of the Natural Wonders of the World and has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. It stretches over more than 1,200,000 acres in Arizona.

One of the best things about the Grand Canyon area is that it has some of the cleanest air in the US. There are about 1,737 famous species of vascular plants, 195 species of lichen, 167 species of fungi and 64 species of moss found in the Park. Grand Canyon has also a dozen endemic plants, which are known only within the boundaries of the Park. However, only 10% of its flora is actually exotic. Apart from casual sightseeing from the South Rim, running, hiking, rafting and helicopter tours are highly popular here. The Grand Canyon 24 hour Ultra Marathon is a 126 km (78-mile) race that takes participants out on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. So, if you are a runner, you shouldn’t miss this event.

1. Snowdonia, Wales

As you might suppose from the name, Snowdonia National Park is set on Snowdon Mountain. The mountain is 3560 feet tall and as picturesque as it is peaceful. Lakes and rivers are set amid trees and rocky outcroppings, making it the perfect place to practice photography. Visitors will also find old buildings, including several castles within park borders. The history of the area is full of folk tales and legends and makes it an even more exciting place to visit.

In 1951, the Park was established as the 3rd National Park in Great Britain, after the Peak District and the Lake District. The Park covers 2,140 km2 (827 square miles), and has 60 km (37 miles) of coastline. The natural forests of the Park are of the mixed deciduous type. The Welsh Oak, ash, birch, hazel and mountain-ash are the most common trees. Over 26,000 people live within the Snowdonia National Park, of whom approximately 62% can speak some Welsh. Every year Snowdonia National Park attracts more than 6 million visitors, making it the 3rd most visited National Park in Wales and England. If you are a hiker, Snowdonia National Park is the perfect place to visit.

National parks are naturally beautiful. Most parks were declared parks to preserve the wild beauty that makes them so amazing. While nearly all these protected areas are pretty, a number are simply amazing in their beauty. Take a look at the list of the most beautiful national parks in the world...

20. Mauritius

According to the GPI Report 2013, Mauritius is one of the most peaceful nations on Earth and it was also ranked the most peaceful country in Africa. The strong score of this island country in the GPI highlights the relative stability of the region and thus further promotes it as a trusted platform for wealth management services and estate planning.

19. Qatar

According to the Global Peace Index, Qatar is the most peaceful country in the Middle East and one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Violent incidents are very rare in this country and the crime rates are relatively low compared to other industrialized nations. Qatar is one of the most flexible and liberal countries in the Middle East where women have many rights, including working, driving and voting rights. The country is undergoing transformation under the National Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified, sustainable and advanced economy.

18. Portugal

You might be surprised to know that Portugal is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, but it’s true. The country has been a member of the EU for roughly 26 years and it forms a part of the European Monetary System and use the single European currency. Portugal is the world’s 43rd largest economy according to the World Bank and it has one of the highest GDP growth rates among the OECD countries. The country has the low crime rates, great standards of living and a stable government. Plus, fascinating sandy beaches, golden plains and impressive mountains, a millennial heritage and vibrant cities make Portugal one of the best places to live in.

17. Australia

Australia is a beautiful and peaceful country that offers cultural diversity, spectacular beaches, loads of breathtaking natural beauty, wonderful fauna and friendly people with an amazing sense of humor. Although Australia is a large country, approximately the same size as the USA, it has a small population of about 20 million, so there’s a lot of uninhabited space worth visiting. Australia’s low crime rate, stable political system, high standards of health care and well-maintained roads make it a safe and comparatively easy country to live in or just to explore.

16. Bhutan

According to the 2013 Global Peace Index (GPI), Bhutan is also among the 20 most peaceful countries on Earth. The point is, Bhutan has remained unchanged in international and domestic conflict in the last 6 years with a GPI score of 1.6 out of 5, 1 being really low. The report uses 22 indicators to measure internal peace, including number of police per 100,000 people, levels of perceived criminality, level of organized crime, and external peace indicators that include military expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product and nuclear and heavy weapons capabilities. I personally think Bhutanese people are peace loving and they are well cultured. Plus, Bhutan boasts plenty of spectacular attractions for everyone.

15. Austria

Austria is a small landlocked South Central European country which gains a place on the list of the most peaceful countries in the world for its stance on international politics. Since World War I and the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and World War II, Austria has been content to embrace a life of peace and serenity. Many people claim that Austria is a great country to live in and I personally agree with them. After all, with its world-famous resorts in the breathtaking Alps, and magnificent cultural centers like Vienna, I think it’s not surprising to see Austria on this list.

14. Canada

Having one of the best standards of living in the world, Canada is also one of the most peaceful countries on Earth. It has a population of approximately 33 million people, yet it’s the second largest country in the world by area. With clean and safe cities, spectacular scenery and extremely friendly people, Canada is a wonderful and peaceful country to live in. The largest strike against the peace score of Canada is that it has a comparatively high military capability, though it currently is not involved in any conflict.

13. New Zealand

Each year since 2007, the Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked New Zealand as one of the most peaceful countries in the world. With a small percentage of its population in prison, limited military capability, strong relations with Australia and down-to-earth hospitality, New Zealand is a wonderful country to live in. This is a country of natural beauty, diverse scenery and quirky natives. Visitors from all over the world come to New Zealand to experience rugged landscape, breathtaking alpine glaciers, awesome beaches and fantastic geothermal and volcanic activity. The country is also renowned for its fine wines and there are a great number of grape varieties planted throughout New Zealand. So if you are a great wine lover, you should definitely visit New Zealand at least once in life.

12. Finland

Finland is considered one of the most peaceful and livable countries, which is not renowned for its combative nature. Finland is still a country that embraces mandatory civil and military service for young people, and the country’s only participation in fighting has been as a part of joint United Nations peacekeeping forces. When speaking about Finland, I want to say about its education. Finland places education at the heart of literally everything. Finland’s education system is ranked fifth best in the world.

11. Ireland

With its rich historical sites, amazing green pastures and friendly people, it’s not surprising that Ireland is one of the most peaceful countries on Earth! Ireland is an overall fabulous country with a plethora of reasons for tourism! Its rich literary history, castle-topped hills, spectacular coastline and legendary hospitality make Ireland a wonderful place to visit any time of the year.

10. Japan

One of the most enchanting countries culturally, Japan has the third largest economy in the world. Since the World War II, Japan has been really peaceful, with little internal conflict and low crime. The country settles on an internal security force in order to maintain the peace. Japan is a peaceful as well as breathtakingly beautiful country worth visiting.

9. Switzerland


According to IEP, the Swiss maintain a well-functioning government and an open political culture. Illustrating the quality of government, Switzerland received the lowest score for political instability. It’s also among the world’s most peaceful countries that have low levels of violent crime. Although Switzerland is known for its neutrality in regional, international and global political issues, it maintains strong diplomatic relations with various countries around the world.

8. Czech Republic

A relatively new country, the Czech Republic gained its independence from the Soviet Bloc in 1989 due to the Velvet Revolution and its subsequent split with Slovakia. After the division of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic has largely concentrated on building a strong capitalist economy and creating a stable climate for investment. In 2009, the Human Development Index (HDI) ranked the Czech Republic as a country of ‘Very High Human Development.’ Renowned mostly for its magnificent capital city Prague and breathtaking natural beauty, the Czech Republic draws tourists from all over the world.

7. Belgium

According to the Global Peace Index, Belgium is one of the best and most peaceful places to live in Europe and on Earth. Situated in the heart of Europe, this small country holds a special place. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to the European Union and NATO. Belgium boasts medieval cities, beautiful town halls, majestic castles, and captivating natural beauty. Homicide and imprisonment rates are low in this country, even though Belgium did experience a crisis within its government over the 2008-2011 period.

6. Iceland

Iceland was also ranked as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, staying out of the main conflicts in the world. Iceland seldom or never hits the headlines and despite the collapse of the Icelandic banks several years ago, the country is remained as an amazing place of spectacular natural beauty. Tourists from all parts of the world come to Iceland to view its huge glaciers and raging volcanoes, as well as numerous unique natural and cultural attractions in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

5. Sweden

One of the most beautiful Scandinavian countries, Sweden is located in the far north of Europe. Although Sweden is one of the biggest weapon exporters in Europe, the country has a low level of robberies (only 9,000 a year) compared to the United States (about 350,000 a year)! According to the Global Peace Index, Sweden is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, in spite of the fact that it’s among the world’s top arms exporters. Besides, Sweden has not been to war and has not participated in any combats for the whole 2 centuries.

4. Slovenia

A beautiful European country, Slovenia is also among the most peaceful countries in the world. The country got its lowest marks in funding for the United Nations peacekeeping missions, number of police and security officers, level of perceived criminality in society, number of organized internal conflicts, violent protests, and number of internal and external wars fought. I agree with the Global Peace Index and believe that Slovenia deserves its place in the list of the most peaceful countries on Earth. Moreover, with its wonderful cities like Maribor and Ljubljana teeming with unique culture, Slovenia is a fantastic travel destination.

3 Singapore


As an active member of the international community and, overall, a small nation, Singapore can never take its right to exist and security for granted. Since achieving its independence in 1965 as a sovereign Republic, Singapore has always concentrated on being a great neighbor, through establishing social, peaceful, economic, cordial political relations with all countries.

The country has worked with the United Nations and its supporting agencies on a great variety of efforts. It also participates in various global, unilateral and multilateral organizations to promote international cooperation, including WTO (World Trade Organization). Singapore is among the most peaceful countries in the world as well as one of the world’s wealthiest countries. The homicide and violent crime rates are lower than the criminal rates.

2. Norway


Many people do not expect Norway to appear in the list of the most peaceful countries in the world. Perhaps, this is because of Anders Behring Breivik, mass murderer, who hit the pride of the country hard. Sure, it was an extraordinary incident, but according to the Global Peace Index Norway is one of the world’s most peaceful countries and friendly and safe place to live. Norway is the country with the highest level of human development in the globe, plus, the government of Oslo always places peace at the forefront of the priorities of the country.

Do you know which are the most peaceful countries in the world? Since 2007 each year, the Global Peace Index has been issued by the IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace) and is a measurement of nations’ and regions’ peacefulness based on external and internal measures. Although it seems like the world is becoming more cruel, according to the Global Peace Index there are 20 most peaceful countries in the world.

Denmark

Denmark tops the list of the most peaceful countries on Earth since it’s really a safe place to live. Even while Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was under occupation by the Nazis during the World War II, it still did not fight. The point is that people living in Denmark prefer to focus on economic matters, instead of involving themselves in various armed conflicts. Danish people are very friendly, open and helpful. Personally I have been to Copenhagen twice and I wish I lived in this country. I’m pretty sure that those who have been to Denmark at least once could say the same.

onyeomaonyeoma: mourinho already playing mind game when season have not yet started

na him self he dey decieve...

Forzap: Oyinbo sef can lie sha....19yrs my yansh

i reason you guy....

like seriously this guy is almost the age of ma dad... and he's calming 19yrs.... me like dis am more than 20 and am no were near that guy...

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The left-back became the best-paid teenager in football after joining Manchester United in a £30 million deal, and the Portuguese suggests the sums would have disrupted his squad
Jose Mourinho has insisted signing Luke Shaw would have "killed" Chelsea's finances and prompted unrest in the squad.

The 19-year-old joined Manchester United for €37.5 million in June, with the club making him the highest-paid teenager in the world with a €200,000-a-week salary.

Goal understands Chelsea pulled out of the race to sign Shaw when they became aware of the wages on offer from United, with Mourinho adding that such a salary would have angered other squad members.

"To pay a 19-year-old boy what we were being asked for, for Luke Shaw, we are dead," he told reporters. "We would have killed our stability with financial fair play, and killed the stability in our dressing room.

"Because when you pay that much to a 19-year-old kid - a good player, fantastic player - but when you pay that amount of money, the next day we would have had players knocking on our door.

"They would have been saying 'How is it possible I play 200 games for this club, won this and that, yet a 19-year-old comes here and gets more money than I get?'

"It would've killed immediately our balance, and we couldn't allow that."

With Ashley Cole leaving the squad following the expiry of his contract, Chelsea moved quickly to sign Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid for around €20m - a deal Mourinho feels represents better value for money.

He continued: "I don't criticise another club for paying it. They can pay what they want. I don't have any comment about it.

"But for my club we can say it would be very negative for us, especially when we can say Felipe is much less expensive.

"Filipe played for Brazil, won titles in Spain, won European competitions, played in the Champions League final. Yet this guy is much cheaper than an English young lad.

"And is he good for our average wages? Yes he is. Sometimes you have to make decisions."