'I've been to every country in the world and these three are my favourite'

A bold explorer who's visited every country on the planet has named his three favourite destinations, including an island where you "feel completely cut off from the rest of the world". As a child, Cameron Mofid, from San Diego, California, had a "fascination" with the many countries of the world, one that may have developed from a game he played with his brother at home.

His grandmother would call out a nation and a young Cameron and his brother would then race to a giant map on the garage wall to point out the country's location. He says he's always been "enthralled" by geopolitics, geography, and "learning about different aspects of humanity". That fascination would ultimately culminate in him visiting all 195 UN-recognised countries and territories before he reached 26, all while battling obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Cameron ticked off his final destination in April, when he and his companions travelled to North Korea. The explorer has since opened up about the countries that made the biggest impression on him, a mixture of tourist hotspots, those with severe Foreign Office (FCDO) advisories, and some so remote that you'd be forgiven for being unaware of their existence.

Some time has elapsed since Cameron achieved his incredible geographical feat, and it appears that he's spent some of this reflecting on his travels and the nations that he considers his favourites.

He concedes that choosing a country remains as "tough" a task as ever. He previously selected the African nation of Algeria and, in what may come as some surprise, Yemen, a war-ravaged nation on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

In a more recent interview, Cameron was asked whether his choices had changed. In response, he offered insights into some of the qualities he considers when choosing and named three brand-new countries.

Cameron said: "Well, I would say, I think it's tough to pick one, right? Because there's all the things that I like about some are different from the things I like about others, right? And so, like it really just depends what you're trying to get at. Like, if it's history, if it's history, and it's culture, that's one thing.

"Maybe if it's food, it's another. If it's nature, that's another thing. So I think... I can give you a few different ones, and there are maybe four or five that stand out."

São Tomé and Príncipe

Cameron claimed "one of the most underrated destinations" in the world he's visited is the little-known African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

He explained: "It's this Jurassic Park-like island country off West Africa where you feel completely cut off from the rest of the world. Hardly any tourism, yet very dramatic landscapes, volcanic peaks, and kind of this warm island culture - really the definition of a hidden gem."

Formerly a key cocoa producer, São Tomé and Príncipe is comprised of two volcanic islands lying off the west coast of Africa. Viewed as a tropical paradise with deserted beaches, the island nation is known for its seafood, forests, and volcanic hikes.

A former Portuguese colony, the European country sent convicts to the nation from the 1400s. It developed sugar plantations, with São Tomé and Príncipe serving as an important location for the movement of slaves.

Palau

Cameron then listed another "beautiful" island country - this time in Oceania.

He said: "I think another beautiful island country on the other side of the world that I find extraordinary is Palau. Palau is by far the most beautiful country in Oceania.

"The rock islands are otherworldly, with these turquoise lagoons and limestone cliffs, and there's this Milky Way Lagoon that they have where you cover yourself in this white limestone mud.

"It's surreal, it's fun, it's unforgettable, it's paradise, but it still feels untouched, and they receive very little tourism; they limit the amount of tourism that they have. So, that's a country that I highly recommend."

Situated in the north Pacific, Palau comprises more than 200 coral and volcanic islands and boasts an impressive array of scenery, spanning everything from jungles to beautiful beaches.

The BBC reports that its modest tourism industry has been mounting in importance, with many of its visitors hailing from Taiwan, a nation with which Palau has diplomatic links.

Japan

Cameron's final choice was somewhat more "well-known". He added: "And then, of course, the more well-known countries. Japan, for me, stands out above the rest. It's where you can have a true culture shock without giving up comfort or safety.

"The food I've had is the best I've had; the food there is the best I've had anywhere in the world. The people are humble, they're kind, and such stark contrast between Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa, Kobe, so it just really feels like five trips in one."