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Places That Don't Exist

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NAGORNO-KARABAKH: Simon Reeve in mountains on the border between Armenia and the unrecognised state of Nagorno-Karabakh - still the focus of ongoing tension and conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Holidays in the Danger Zone: Places That Don't Exist is a five-part BBC Four series on breakaway states and unrecognised nations, devised, written and presented by Simon Reeve.

The series took Reeve to little-known parts of the world including Somaliland, recognised as part of Somalia; Transnistria of Moldova; Taiwan; Nagorno-Karabakh, of Armenia and Azerbaijan; Ajaria, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia, all recognized by the United Kingdom as parts of Georgia.

There are almost 200 official countries in the world. But there are dozens more breakaway states which are determined to be separate and independent.

The breakaway states have their own rulers, parliaments or warlords, and are home to millions of people, but they're not officially recognised as proper countries by the rest of the world. Several have their own armies and police forces, and issue passports and even postage stamps which the rest of the world ignores. All of the breakaway states have declared independence after violent struggles with a neighbouring state.

Some now survive peacefully, but others are a magnet for terrorists and weapons smuggling, and have armies ready for a fight. Several could be at the centre of future wars which threaten their regions and the wider world.

In a world of easy adventure tourism, Simon visits breakaway states & unrecognized nations which don’t usually feature on the tourist trail: Somaliland, Transniestria, South Ossetia, Taiwan, Abkhazia, Ajaria and Nagorno-Karabkh.


The series was broadcast on BBC Two in May 2005.

For the list and information about de facto independent unrecognised states or states with limited recognition, see list of states with limited recognition.

The programme was awarded a One World Award in June, 2005 for best popular feature.

See also


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