Paul ‘Barbs’ Barbato: The Man Behind Geography Now and His Journey to Connect the World

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Paul “Barbs” Barbato
Photo: Storm Santos

As the creator of the wildly popular YouTube channel Geography Now, Paul “Barbs” Barbato has spent the last decade captivating audiences with his unique approach to geography education. Since its launch in 2014, Geography Now has amassed over 450 million views, providing comprehensive profiles of every UN-recognized country in alphabetical order. With the project set to culminate in October 2024 with a special video filmed on location in Zimbabwe, Barbato is eager to share his insights on global connectivity, travel misconceptions, and his philanthropic endeavors.

“Geography Now started as a sort of frustration,” Barbato explained in a recent conversation with What’s Trending . “I’ve always been fascinated by the world and its complex, vibrant cultures. Back then, there were no YouTube channels dedicated to full informational profiles of every country. I decided to fill that gap.”

From its inception, Geography Now aimed to educate and entertain viewers about the diverse nations of the world. Barbato’s first video focused on Afghanistan, a choice that underscored his commitment to covering countries that are often overlooked in mainstream media.

In addition to educating his audience, Barbato has also been a strong advocate for travel and understanding different cultures. “Learning about different cultures can connect a growingly divided world,” he said. “The more we know about each other, the more empathy we can foster.”

Barbato emphasizes that travel does not have to be prohibitively expensive. “Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank; it just requires smart budgeting and a bit of creativity,” he advised. “People can travel during off-peak times, use points, or even consider flights with layovers to save money.”

He also dispelled several misconceptions about travel, particularly regarding Africa. “Much of Africa is growing and developing in ways that many Westerners do not expect. Every time I visit the continent, I see incredible beauty and potential that the media often overlooks. Not every African country has the same story, but there’s a noticeable pattern of progress and vitality across the continent.”

Barbato is set to embark on a new adventure as he travels to Zimbabwe with 18 lucky fans. This journey not only marks the conclusion of his decade-long project but also offers fans an opportunity to experience the culture firsthand. “It’s a dream come true for me to share this final video and engage with my fans on such an intimate level,” he said.

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In addition to his YouTube endeavors, Barbato is deeply involved in philanthropy through his work with Jonathan’s House, an organization in the Central African Republic. “I wanted to find an organization helping in a developing country, and Jonathan’s House stood out to me for its transparency,” he explained. “They provided specific breakdowns of what donations would achieve, which was refreshing.”

Through his partnership with Jonathan’s House, Barbato has helped fund the importation of egg-laying chickens and the construction of a chicken coop, enabling orphans to receive at least one egg each week. “It was invigorating to finally visit and see the fruits of our efforts,” he shared. “The organization is growing, and it’s heartening to witness the impact we’re making.”

As Geography Now approaches its conclusion, Barbato is already looking ahead to his next project, titled “Letter To.” “For 10 years, I’ve been standing in a studio talking ABOUT countries,” he said. “Now, I want to talk TO the countries. This new series allows for a more intimate, personal format where I can engage with countries as if they were people.”

In this series, Barbato plans to travel to various countries, documenting his experiences and creating video letters that foster a deeper understanding of the cultures he encounters. “I’m excited to illustrate the concept of countries as vibrant, living entities rather than just subjects to dissect,” he noted.

As he prepares for the final chapter of Geography Now and the launch of “Letter To,” Barbato remains committed to his mission of education, empathy, and connection. Through his work, he hopes to inspire others to explore the world, appreciate its complexities, and contribute to a more understanding global community.

For more information on Jonathan’s House and Barbato’s philanthropic work, visit Jonathan’s House.

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