This book contains some 1200 images and 100,000 words, and covers 230 countries. Every country, large or small, is featured and we have sought to evoke each destination through a unique mix of images and original text. The effect is a series of tantalizing glimpses, which somehow gather their own momentum with every page turned and combine to present an awesome picture of our vast and kaleidoscopic world.

We started this book with a seemingly simple proposition — to represent every country in the world in amazing images and inspirational text in an accessible A to Z format. A few obstacles soon stood in our way. Firstly, the possible answers to the question "what is a country?" Secondly, the fact that we set out to create a travel book, not an exhaustive reference book of the world. We viewed the world through the lens of the traveler, focusing on places to visit for their beauty, fascination or singularity, even if this sometimes conflicted with the world as it is defined by political or geographical borders. And lastly, sheer logistics — the world is a breathtakingly big place, and to cover it all in one book is a big ambition.

What is a Country?
Our first port of call was the United Nations' list of defined countries — all 192 of these had an automatic ticket for entry into this book. The UN list does not include the foreign dependencies of these countries, whether self-governing or Crown colony, but we wanted to feature some of these places because they are ever-popular traveler hang-outs. In this category we included some, but not all, Caribbean islands and groups, as well as Bermuda, New Caledonia, the Cayman Islands and French Polynesia, all dependencies of geographically far-flung entries.

We decided, based on traveler interest more than political correctness, to feature the component parts of Britain — England, Scotland and Wales — as separate entries. Archenemies and old friends, England, Scotland and Wales all have rich and distinctive histories and cultures, which hold enduring appeal for travelers, and we wanted to reflect that in this book. Other destinations, such as vibrant and colorful Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, which are all parts of China, have historic identities that separate them from their present-day political situation. For the traveler, they are often experienced as separate and different, and so we featured them that way.

Antarctica and Greenland are not countries, strictly speaking, but these vast lands are not only extremely photogenic, they are also fascinating to visit, a fact not lost on adventure travelers who make tracks there in ever-increasing numbers.

At the end of this book, you will find 12 'bonus' destinations that we couldn't bear to leave out, but could not justify as full entries. These places were selected because they are fascinating, often beautiful, often remote places that are fast gathering focus on the insatiable explorer's map. Visit these places and you may find yourself competing with our illustrious founder, Tony Wheeler, for recognition as Lonely Planet's best-traveled person.

"[S]tunning and utterly captivating....[A] suggestive, provocative, loving portrait of our gorgeous, haunting planet, not lonely at all. Highly recommended." Library Journal

"Even the most avid readers of travel guides and travel literature will not have encountered a book quite like this one. It is huge and heavy but reasonably priced, and it is vastly informative, which is its calling card." Brad Hooper, Booklist (starred review)

The definitive pictorial dedicated to travel an the world, The Travel Book captures every country on the planet in breathtaking photographs and atmospheric text.

The ultimate pictorial dedicated to travel and the world, The Travel Book captures every country on the planet in stunning photographs and evocative descriptions. Inspirational, inviting and beautiful, The Travel Book reveals the essence of actually being there. A unique gift for travelers or would-be travelers sure to inspire wanderlust!

From Lonely Planet's staff of travel experts comes a coffeetable book to inspire wanderlust in both novices and seasoned travelers. This ultimate travel pictorial delivers the world by featuring every country on the planet in gorgeous photographs and evocative descriptions.

Who We Are
At Lonely Planet, we see our job as inspiring and enabling travelers to connect with the world for their own benefit and for the benefit of the world at large.

What We Do
• We offer travelers the world’s richest travel advice, informed by the collective wisdom of over 350 Lonely Planet authors living in 37 countries and fluent in 70 languages.
• We are relentless in finding the special, the unique and the different for travellers wherever they are.
• When we update our guidebooks, we check every listing, in person, every time.
• We always offer the trusted filter for those who are curious, open minded and independent.
• We challenge our growing community of travelers; leading debate and discussion about travel and the world.
• We tell it like it is without fear or favor in service of the travelers; not clouded by any other motive.

What We Believe
We believe that travel leads to a deeper cultural understanding and compassion and therefore a better world.