How this YouTuber created a travel encyclopedia of the world

On 15 October 2014, Paul ‘Barbs’ Barbato posted a video profiling Afghanistan on his YouTube channel, Geography Now. It was the second upload on the page, posted after a trailer teasing what was to come: an entry on every UN-recognised country in the world, released in alphabetical order — the first such geographical encyclopaedia on social media, to Paul’s knowledge. A decade on and more than three million subscribers later, he wrapped the project up in October 2024 with a profile on Zimbabwe. We talk to the host about his show, from the subscribers who contributed to its episodes to the power of social media, and what’s next.

Where does your passion for travel come from?

I grew up in a diverse neighbourhood in Chicago, around kids who spoke different languages. They’d tell me about their families, show me their home countries on a map. It sparked this intrigue, this awareness of places outside the bubble where I lived. I’m a visual learner, so the atlas became my favourite book. It opened up an entire world.

What about the inspiration for Geography Now?

Here’s a fun anecdote: I really wanted to be on Globe Trekker [a TV show in which different hosts travel and experience a destination’s local way of life]. I sent in an audition video and never heard back, so I decided to start my own programme. Since I didn’t have money to travel, I came up with a format I could film from my house.

Which topics does Geography Now cover?

I talk about political geography, a country’s demarcation lines and what’s under their sovereignty; physical geography, the landscape and resources; demographics, the people and culture; and what I call ‘the friendzone’ — diplomatic relationships. Within these segments are sections like food, music, sport. But I try not to regurgitate facts. What does it mean to be a person from that country? That’s what I strive to illustrate.

What’s your relationship with the show’s subscribers?

They play a huge role in the show. They help me with planning and I couldn’t have made some of the episodes without information they shared. They get featured, too. For example, the episode on Tuvalu [an island nation in the Pacific Ocean] was co-hosted by local Keri Ann. She wanted to be in the episode, so I flew her out [to the US]. Through Geography Now, I’ve met thousands of people from all over the world. To me, that’s striking gold.

What’s exciting about travel content on social media?

Social media can be a powerful tool. People go online to be excited all the time; why not do that with education? You can use captions, motion graphics and map animations — users like to be entertained, and that approach is something education can pursue with social media.

You’ve visited 99 countries. What’s the most memorable travel experience you’ve had?

When I pick up a map, I always look for what sticks out. This is how I found the world’s narrowest three-country salient — the 390ft-wide gap border of Togo in between Burkina Faso and Ghana. I went to Togo for the dedicated Geography Now episode, reached the border and asked the guard there to let me walk this narrow strip of land across three nations. I believe I became the first person to document it.

What’s next?

I’d visited fewer than 10 countries when I signed up to YouTube, and I started the channel to build a platform that would allow me to travel more. Now, I want to do a travel show my way — an evolved version of Geography Now with me actually going places. I’ve been teaching for 10 years; it’s time to start experiencing.