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The World's Most Dangerous Destinations for 2007
Here at Gadling, we usually profile places people WANT to go. However, sometimes it's useful to mention places to avoid. Consequently, here's an interesting (and not altogether surprising) list of the 2007's 12 Most Dangerous Destinations:
- Somalia
-
Iraq
-
Afghanistan
-
Democratic Republic of Congo
-
Côte d'Ivoire
- Pakistan
- Burundi
- Sri Lanka
- Haiti
- Chad
- Lebanon
- Liberia
Of course, you probably don't think of these places as vacation destinations, unless you're a whacked-out Robert Young Pelton. However, employees of governments, oil and mining industries, and telecom industries are increasingly being dispatched to these locations. If you work for one of those groups, be certain to ask about insurance, hazard pay -- and a bodyguard.
Interestingly, the piece argues that the world is NOT getting more dangerous right now. Rather, globalization and the attendant "shrinking" of the planet is largely responsible for making the world APPEAR more dangerous now than before. Whether or not you agree with that assertion, the article is interesting, and the gallery is frightening.
Filed under: Business, Photos, Burundi, Chad, Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Haiti
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeff Jun 16th 2008 1:31AM
I do business in Sri Lanka and I've been living in Los Angeles for the past 22 years. I have had more friends die from car accidents and gunshot wounds here in Los Angeles than any city I've been too. I dont know what you're talking about. Sri Lanka obviously has areas unsuitable to travel, but it's a cozy tropical island unlike any other.
Mo Nov 9th 2008 3:51AM
I have always dreamed of traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo but have constantly read that even for Americans it is advisable to not travel into the Democratic Republic of Congo due to being so warn torn and very dangerous because of violence. The Democratic Republic of Congo looks so pretty and looks like it could be a lot of fun to travel around but my life is more important and wouldn't want to travel to such place as Democratic Republic of Congo if all one has to worry if they are going to live or die and get in conflicts. I keep reading that Democratic Republic of Congo is always on the list of places that should not be traveled by Americans due to being way to dangerous.
Nadeeka Feb 24th 2009 3:28PM
Sri Lanka is not a dangerous place to visit. I was there lant Ja. 08 - 22. 2009 I travel colombo, Gall, Hikkduwa area gathome safe. Yes there war going on only in noth part of the country. It will be over very soon.
Therefore you take out Sri Lanka name out of danegrous place to visit list
Thx.
Haitian Princesse Apr 3rd 2009 4:56PM
I don't know even know why Haiti is on that BS list cause its a beautiful country with hot weather all year around I went back home in november after a looonnggg and i had the best time of my life. If i am not mistaken we not safe anywhere i think NJ should have been on that stupid list what the hell my brother got rob at gun point on a f**k bus on his way home from the city the stupid police took 2 hours to come and they told the bus driver not to move not to distroyed evidence. They could have come and killed my brother and the bus driver thanks God that wasnt the case. Yes we have our ups and downs what country doesnt if America was that great why we in what we are now.... that all I am going to say
Adam Fobres Mar 26th 2007 4:05AM
I currently live and work in Burundi and cannot agree with the assertion that it is amongst the twelve most dangerous destinations. On the contrary, I have found it to be a welcoming and beautiful place and certainly felt safer than in parts of South Africa, Kenya and London. Obviously, it is necessary to be aware of the security situation regarding the one remaining rebel group but this is the case in several countries not mentioned in this list. Burundi needs visitors to revive its tourism industry and this should be taken into consideration when dispensing advice on how 'dangerous' the country is.
N Mar 27th 2007 3:49PM
Interesting that Sri Lanka is on the list. The war is limited to the North and the East of the country. Yes there are random acts of terrorism in the South such as the recent much hyped airport attack...but on those grounds LA should be up there as well, what with all the gang warfare.
Khorram Apr 13th 2007 1:08PM
Another hunk sitting in cosy office and gathering information from places, which have may NEVER have themselves landed in Pakistan to verify the govt/racist organization.
US and UK has far far worst areas in uptowns and downtowns, where even during the day light racially different cant even think of entering. And yet I dont see those countries being listed.
This Texan style, which has already gripped US, and who are frantically spreading their neo-con ideology to other areas, have actually made world more unstable.
Well done, keep up the bull-shit [yet another texan lexicon addition to Mariam Webster] :)
Female May 11th 2007 7:06AM
Lebanon is not a dangerous country to visit!
"Of course, you probably don't think of these places as vacation destinations, unless you're a whacked-out Robert Young Pelton. " THIS IS SO WRONG! LEBANON IS ONE OF THE BEST DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN THE REGION! With its mild weather all year-around especially in the summer, its natural beauty, numerous activities, Lebanon is a must-visit country! The political tension appears in the media but it is not affecting the people's lives!
Visit Lebanon and you will not regret it, You will Love it!!!!
Ben May 31st 2007 2:22AM
Lebanon is one of the greatest and most interesting places to visit. I went there for a job, and even with the political tensions, i would love to return. They are by far the most welcoming people. Take my word for it.
also, this list is a very big generalisation, and the quote: "Of course, you probably don't think of these places as vacation destinations, unless you're a whacked-out Robert Young Pelton. is pretty insulting and very idiotic.
Obaid Jun 22nd 2007 5:34PM
That is just like a Rascist.
I'm Going TO pakistan In July! FOR A WEDDING! YAH! IT'S TRUE! PEOPLE RAISE FAMILIES IN PAKISTAN! AND NONE OF THEM BECOME EXRTREMISTS! Stop Banging on Pakistan's Life! They are all Afghani's! Not that Afghganistan Should Be On that list. They Should Even have A list!
James Estep Jul 6th 2007 10:10AM
I spent several weeks in the Congo drilling an oil well. Everyonr there had an A-K 47 except me. I felt somehow unmanly. I am a Texan. Is that why they treated me so badly?
Jim E.
Cody Barham Jul 30th 2009 11:52AM
I currently work as a mud engineer and they are wanting to send me to the congo for drilling operations. As we all know work in the U.S. has slowed considerably and they are trying to keep me employed. My option is getting laid off or going to the congo. I wanted to talk to someone who had been over there and ask what conditions were like and how dangerous it was to be over there. Any honest info would be greatly appreciated.
elephantman Jul 29th 2007 7:00PM
I've been to Sri Lanka 7 times and feel more safe there then I do in some parts of Boston,Ma. It's only unsafe up in the north and east.
Yousra Aug 11th 2007 1:44PM
Pakistan is awesome! I am American born and bred and I bet you can't believe it, but I am actually MOVING there in a few years. Pakistan is not dangerous and it is very beautiful. It is not the brown, mountainous desert everyone seems to think it is, those are just the only parts of Afghanistan they show you on the news. People need to give Pakistan a freakin' break!
Ray. Adams Aug 21st 2007 11:41PM
As it is right now, I think I'll just stay right here in the good 'ole U.S.A
Dahlia Aug 22nd 2007 5:49AM
Burundi is supposedly pretty safe now...even though I haven't lived there in over 8 years( I did visit briefly in 2004 though)
Contrary to what Forbes said, Burundi is NOT at war since 2005, when a democratically elected government took power after they agreed to stop fighting(granted, it's mostly composed by former rebels whose war crimes were extensively reported but really who's counting?)
You can pretty much travel the country without getting chopped off or blown off by a grenade...unless you're rather unlucky (like that couple in the middle of the busy capital city, or those senate members whose houses were attacked two nights ago, or those belgians...oy, u get the drift).
Anyway, I'm just repeating the official stance of the government, u know...everything is great, nobody has anything to fear ("of course unless you disagree with us"), the economy is going strong ( "yes we are aware that about a million people are starving") and there are absolutely no human rights violations ( "oh, the unlawfully detained people who were tortured or whose bodies were found in the river in various stages of decomposition?....ahem..we're looking into it")
Dangerous? nah.....