Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, the archipelago of Oceania. With a shape reminiscent of the number eight, the island is divided into Tahiti Nui (the western part, the largest) and Tahiti Iti (the eastern peninsula). With black sand beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and two extinct volcanoes, Tahiti is a popular holiday destination. Explored by Captain James Cook in the 18th century, it was often immortalized by the French artist Paul Gauguin.

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a state in East Asia. Neighboring states include the People’s Republic of China to the north-west, Japan to the north-east, and the Philippines to the south.

Tajikistan is a country in Central Asia surrounded by Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. It’s known for rugged mountains, popular for hiking and climbing. The Fann Mountains, near the national capital Dushanbe, have snow-capped peaks that rise over 5,000 meters. The range encompasses the Iskanderkulsky Nature Refuge, a notable bird habitat named for Iskanderkul, a turquoise lake formed by glaciers.

Tanzania is an East African country known for the vast wilderness areas, which include the grasslands of the Serengeti National Park, a popular safari destination, inhabited by the so-called Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino), and the Kilimanjaro National Park, where Africa’s highest mountain stands. Off the coast are the tropical islands of Zanzibar, influenced by Arab culture, and Mafia, with a marine park that houses whale sharks and coral reefs.

Tasmania, an isolated island state off the south coast of Australia, is known for its vast wild and rugged territories, largely protected by parks and nature reserves. On the Tasman peninsula stands the Port Arthur penitentiary, dating back to the 19th century and now an open-air museum, while in the port city of Hobart, the capital of the island, the Georgian warehouses of Salamanca Place house art galleries and boutiques. In the city there is also the Museum of Old and New Art, with a contemporary cut.

Gambia is a small West African nation, bordering Senegal and with a narrow coastal strip on the Atlantic. It is famous for the diverse ecosystem that populates the surroundings of the homonymous river. The abundant wildlife that lives in the Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve includes monkeys, leopards, hippos, hyenas and rare birds. The beaches can be reached from the capital Banjul and nearby Serrekunda.

Tibet, on the lofty Tibetan Plateau on the northern side of the Himalayas, is an autonomous region of China. It’s nicknamed the “Roof of the World” for its towering peaks. It shares Mt. Everest with Nepal. Its capital, Lhasa, is site of hilltop Potala Palace, once the Dalai Lama’s winter home, and Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s spiritual heart, revered for its golden statue of the young Buddha.

Togo, a West African nation overlooking the Gulf of Guinea, is known for its palm-fringed beaches and hillside villages. Koutammakou, inhabited by the Batammariba population, is a traditional settlement dating back to the 17th century characterized by solid clay constructions. In the capital, Lomé, there are the Grand Marche bazaar and the Fetish Market, which offers traditional talismans and remedies based on the vodun (voodoo) religion.

Tokelau is a remote group of atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, of which it’s a territory. It’s usually accessed by boat from Samoa, a trip that can take around 24 hours. Nukunonu atoll contains accommodation and a clear lagoon rich in marine life. Fakaofo has swimming pigs that famously catch fish near its coral reef.

Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited, most lined in white beaches and coral reefs and covered with tropical rainforest. The main island, Tongatapu, is protected by lagoons and limestone cliffs. It’s home to the rural capital of Nuku’alofa, as well as beach resorts, plantations and the Ha’amonga ʻa Maui, a monumental coral gate from the 1200s.

Trinidad and Tobago is an island state in Central Caribbean America, with 5,128 km² and 1,222,363 inhabitants surveyed in 2015 and with the capital Port of Spain.

Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia bordered by the Caspian Sea and largely covered by the Karakum Desert. It’s known for archaeological ruins including those at Nisa and Merv, major stops along the ancient trade route the Silk Road. Ashgabat, the capital, was rebuilt in Soviet style in the mid-20th century and is filled with grand monuments honoring former president Saparmurat Niyazov.

The British overseas territory of Turks and Caicos, an archipelago of 40 flat coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean, is located in the southeast of the Bahamas. Providenciales, also known as Provo, is the base for visiting the other islands and is home to the expansive Grace Bay Beach, with luxury resorts, shops and restaurants. Perfect for the diver is the coral reef of over 14 miles on the northern coast of Provo and the striking 2134 m wall that drops steeply into the sea, off the coast of Grand Turk Island.