Molvanîa

Molvanîa is a fictional country that was the subject of a travel guide parody book, Molvanîa: The Land Untouched by Modern Dentistry, published in 2003. Created by Australians Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauro, and Rob Sitch (of The D-Generation and Frontline fame), Molvanîa is presented as a post-Soviet republic located somewhere in Eastern Europe or Central Asia, plagued by corruption, pollution, and general backwardness.

The book satirizes the tropes of poorly written travel guides and the often-exaggerated depictions of developing nations. It details the (non-existent) country's bizarre customs, unpalatable cuisine, and dangerous tourist attractions, all delivered with a deadpan and satirical tone. Common themes include the country's brutal secret police (the P.O.G.O.), its reliance on outdated technology, and its people's apparent lack of personal hygiene.

The success of Molvanîa spawned a follow-up, Phaic Tăn: Sunstroke on the Road, satirizing Southeast Asian travel, and San Sombrero: A Land of Carnivals, Cocktails & Coups, parodying South American destinations. The popularity of these books highlights a wider cultural fascination with travel guide parodies and the critique of Western perspectives on the "developing world."