[imagesource:flickr]

As the only African country to make the top 20 (though Namibia received a fair few nominations), South Africa is undeniably stunning and as such, was ranked as the 10th most beautiful country in the world.

The survey published by Rough Guides drew from reader votes around the globe to determine the most beautiful countries in the world, Getaway noted.

Among countries that ranked high in the survey, New Zealand claimed the top spot, with its stunning scenery and landscapes, while Italy, known for its rich cultural heritage and great natural beauty, secured second place. Canada ranked third, celebrated for its dramatic scenery and wildlife, while France, with its countryside landscapes and varied attractions, claimed the fifth spot.

South Africa earned its spot as 10th on the list of the world’s most beautiful countries, with readers praising SA’s diversity of scenery, its raw natural landscape, roads, ocean and abundant food and wine.

Many of you praised the country’s “sheer diversity of scenery”, and its “raw natural landscape, roads and ocean”. Iconic Table Mountain and penguin-packed beaches lie just a stone’s throw from Cape Town.

The wine-growing valleys of the Western Cape enchant with their verdant hills and vintages. And let’s not forget that South Africa also offers some of the world’s best safari experiences.

Here’s the full list of the world’s most beautiful countries, as voted by readers of Rough Guide:

1. New Zealand
2. Italy
3. Canada
4. Switzerland
5. France
6. United Kingdom
7. Norway
8. Australia
9. Greece
10. South Africa
11. USA
12. Chile
13. Iceland
14. Argentina
15. Croatia
16. India
17. Indonesia
18. Portugal
19. Slovenia
20. Japan

I wonder if the people who voted for the countries that beat South Africa have even visited here. If they had, we would surely rank much higher.

Hey, someone has to toot our horn.

[source:getaway]