WORLD’S DANGEROUS PLACES--

The recent blog piece on the danger of traveling to Venezuela aroused my curiosity regarding the rest of this world. An online search quickly revealed the US State Department’s list of countries they recommend Americans avoid. They are:

Sudan, Haiti, Burundi, Central African Republic, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Chad, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Iran, Timor-Leste, Nepal, Eritrea, Yemen, Philippines, Uzbekistan, Congo, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, and Somalia.

Only two of those countries are in the western hemisphere; Haiti and Colombia. The rest are mostly in Africa, the Middle-East and Southeast Asia.

Most of the countries make this list because of civil conflict—which tends to exacerbate lawlessness according to www.forbes.com/...most-dangerous-destinations.

They point out neither Haiti nor Liberia is technically at war, but rampant criminality can make parts of these countries appear as war zones. Likewise with Columbia; known to be a bastion of drug-warlords in South America.

Experts report terrorists are increasingly focusing on so-called “soft” targets—unprotected tourists etc., where the danger of kidnapping is on the rise. It’s really grown as a cottage industry.

It used to be just Colombia but now it could happen on any continent, and not just for political purposes but for profit.

In 18 of the above 28 countries Muslim is the predominant religion. Seven are Christian and three are listed as favoring Judaism or Hinduism/Buddhism.

Another interesting topical web site is ComeBackAlive.com, a Ramboesque site of information for adventurous travelers.

The next time I get to Key West, or, say San Diego, I think I will just turn around when the visit concludes.