Matthew Allison · World Explorer
Visited Every Country on Earth
Adventures in remote cultures, wildlife habitats, caves, and wilderness regions across 197 countries and 250+ territories.
The Journey
Explore the World Through My Map
Click on any country to discover stories, photos, and videos from my adventures around the world.
Explore the MapLatest Stories
Backpacking the Oso Peninsula and Corcovado National Park-Simply One of the Best Places to Spot Wildlife in a Rainforest, Costa Rica
March 2010: Costa Rica was a country I put off visiting for a long time. Why? Because it’s the most touristy country in Central America, with a large number of American expats who, in some ways, have altered its identity. I preferred destinations lacking tourist...
Arizona-Wild West Scenery of Canyons and Huge Cactus Filled Deserts
Arizona – Heart of the Wild West Ghost Towns, Borderlands, and Timeless Desert Beauty Arizona embodies the spirit of the American Wild West—a land of ghost towns, long, lonely stretches of borderland, and some of the most dramatic desert landscapes on Earth. From the...
Surprising Norwegian Relatives that Didn’t Know I Existed on New Year’s Eve in the Town Where My Great Grandparents Lived
December 2009: At some point in life, I believe it’s important to learn about your ancestors and discover your roots. By doing so, you gain a deeper understanding of the places and lives of those who shaped you—both genetically and culturally. Preserving this...
Island Exploring in Beautiful Palawan in My Own Bangka/Boat to Deserted Islands and Beaches, Philippines
November 2009: I visited the Philippines as part of a larger 3-week trip across Southeast Asia. The Philippines is one of my most meaningful trips because it is where my wife was born and although she didn't go with me on this trip, I did stay with some of her family...
Being Chased by a Rhino in the Jungles of the Terai in Chitwan National Park and Observing Sacred Hindu Cremations in Katmandu
November 2009: I decided to return to Nepal for a week to visit Chitwan National Park and try finding a wild tiger and rhino after my failed attempt during my first visit to Western Nepal's Bardia National Park in 1997. Chitwan was a back-up plan to visiting the...
Bagan Temples and Yangon After My permit to the Tiger Reserve of Hukawng Valley Was Revoked
November 2009: After years of attempting to organize a trip into the Hukawng Valley, the world's largest tiger reserve in northern Myanmar, I was finally granted permission. A local fixer informed me that the Myanmar military government had approved my permit to visit...
About Matthew
A Lifetime Spent Beyond the Familiar
I have spent more than 29 years exploring the planet, visiting every country on Earth and experiencing some of its most remote cultures, wildernesses, and wildlife. My mission is to inspire curiosity, respect for different cultures, and a lifelong desire to explore.
Learn More About Me