Graeme Maguire’s Post

How many countries and what counts as a country? I have now experienced 104 countries, or is it 119 or 85? You can guess where I am now from the photos! What counts as a country? The United Nations has 193 members and two permanent observers. The Been app has 266 countries and territories, and the Travellers' Century Club has 330 countries and territories. If you have been to Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia does that count as 1, 2, or 3? Not a moot point. I have made over 30 trips as my sister has lived in Prague for over 20 years, and I have been to Bratislava a few times. Hi Gill Maguire Bird & Bird Czech Republic & Slovakia. Interestingly (at least to me) there are only 13 countries that I went to for the first time for work, though many I have returned to to help clients achieve their aims. Bird & Bird has 33 offices in 23 countries, and we have helped clients in well over 104/119/85 countries this year. Love being an international tech & telecoms lawyer and having the privilege of Chairing such a special and international firm. As Lynn Robinson proudly posted the International Institute of Communications (IIC) is truly global with members in many countries across six continents and has events across most of them this year, but no members (yet!) in Antarctica. I was lucky enough to be there in February. Amazing to see the penguins, seals, and whales so close, the scenery was breathtaking even more so from zodiacs and kayaks, and loved setting foot on the peninsular itself, all done in strict compliance with the IAATO Environmental Protocol which protects this unique environment. But does it count? Three countries claim parts I stood on the UK, Argentina, and Chile but all claims are suspended. Is Antarctica a country at all? So, 1, 3 or none. I'm not accepting none, despite legally that being the most correct answer, so give myself one! I have five countries I have seen (from the ground) but not been to and one country Google maps thinks I have been to, but I have not, Azerbaijan. None count. The inclusion of the Google maps screenshot of the road we drove down "in" Azerbaijan is not a clue to where I am now. What do you think? Wishing everyone a great break when you get there, whether it is starting now (thinking of you Bird & Bird Nordics) or August is your favourite time to holiday (like Bird & Bird France). Bird & Bird Bird & Bird Australia Bird & Bird Belgium Bird & Bird China Bird & Bird Czech Republic & Slovakia (counts twice, Czech Republic & Slovakia) Bird & Bird France Bird & Bird Germany Bird & Bird Hungary Bird & Bird Ireland Bird & Bird Japan Bird & Bird Italy Bird & Bird Middle East (UAE, KSA) Bird & Bird Maroc Bird & Bird Nordics (Bird & Bird Denmark, Finland, Sweden) Bird & Bird Poland Bird & Bird Netherlands Bird & Bird ATMD (Singapore) Bird & Bird Spain Bird & Bird London Bird & Bird US Representative Office