Contacts with all continents. But when exceeding that, one still has a chance to be first. Contacts with as many countries and dependent regions as possible. There are about 320 of them. The number changes from time to time.
Countries arise and pass away.
For geographic, technical and politial reasons radio amateurs are not to be found everywhere. But you can have real sport, too. A great number of national and international contests are held with passionate competition for the prizes. Every amateur may participate in every contest, even if the chance of winning tends to zero. They note down their connections or type them into data bases in order to evaluate them well and truly.