Five of the Most Dangerous Countries in the World

Despite the recent decline in international tourism, now might just be one of the best times ever to do some traveling due to the high demand for the revenue from international travel that some countries are desperate for in this economy. However, there are some countries which, due to high rates of crime or social instability, you might just want to avoid altogether.

If you do have to visit any of these dangerous countries, you should take extra special consideration when planning your trip. You may want to carefully plan your anticipated travel route within the country, choose areas in which to stay only after adequate research, or restrict yourself to the safest parts of the country if possible. Depending on the purpose of your visit, it may be wise to limit the amount of time you'll be spending there.

While you're not likely to want to visit Somalia, Iraq, or Afghanistan, obviously three of the most dangerous countries on Earth, here are five countries you might just visit some day.

Haiti

Devastated by one of the worst Earthquakes in recent years, Haiti has been the focus of an outpouring of world sympathy, and relief efforts to provide people with long-term medical care and infrastructure are ongoing. Several relief organizations and volunteers have traveled to Haiti, but the tiny nation remains one of the most dangerous in the world. Racked by the highest rate of poverty in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has an equally high rate of crime.

Pakistan

Though Pakistan is a rapidly developing nation where standards of living are generally increasing quickly, similarly to its neighbor and geopolitical rival India, crime and terrorism remain a consistent problem. The nation has been hit by a string of high profile acts of terrorism over the course of the last several years, from hotel bombings to assassinations, and the degree of complicity and corruption within the national armed forces and police is questionable at best.

Philippines

This Pacific nation has a long, intertwined history with the United States, and its people are generally friendly to tourists of all kinds. Unfortunately the country has relatively high rates of urban crime, as well as occasional acts of terrorism which are sometimes directed towards foreigners.

Colombia

This mountainous country is as known for its coffee and rich, beautiful landscapes as it is for its exports of illegal drugs and the rampant kidnappings. Rebel fighters and drug cartels living in the remote rural areas still continue to kidnap individuals for ransom renewed efforts by the government to thwart them, and urban areas continue to suffer from crime.

Mexico

The bloody drug wars along the Mexican-American border have recently made headlines, and the country's string of kidnappings, ransoms, and assassinations is quickly beginning to overshadow the history of Colombia in the popular consciousness around the world. Mexico is arguably a more dangerous than it has been in years, and tourists are advised to be especially careful in border areas.