SAFEST COUNTRIES TO VISIT

Conde Nast recently said These are the Safest Countries in the World in 2025. 

• They consulted the 2025 Global Peace Index.  
• 1 is most peaceful, 5 is the least.
• Where was the USA?  #128!!!
• My impression was that Conde Nast and the Institute of Economics and Peace (they report on that GPI) likes cold weather countries.  Or maybe there is something about chilly conditions that keep people home to avoid danger.
• 
  So anyway, the top ten.
• #10  Finland (1.42)  Famous for also being the happiest country in the world.
• #9   Slovenia (1.409)  Has extremely low crime rates and terrorism risk, with the best castles and lakes.

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  #8  Denmark (1.393)  Dropped six spots from 2024, having something to do with militarization.
• #7    Portugal (1.371)  Is a beacon of economic resurgence and low crime rates.  Many from Europe retire there.
• #6    Singapore (1.357)  The only Asian country in this list.

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  #5    Switzerland (1.294)   The best time to visit Switzerland and a local’s guide to the country’s best venues.
• #4    Austria (1.294)  Country took a hit after the November 2020 terrorist attack in Vienna, but the government responded with new legislation to monitor terror offenders.

• 
  #3    New Zealand (1.282)  Has zero domestic and international conflict, relative to other countries.
• #2    Ireland (1.26)  Peaceful population.
• #1    Iceland (1.095)  Has been the most peaceful country since the inception of the GPI in 2008.  Citizens are at peace.

My thoughts about the above.

• Why is Japan not in the top ten?  I asked Google AI Overview:

Japan was likely not listed in a particular Condé Nast report on the safest countries because they do not publish an annual safety-focused report. Instead, Condé Nast's Readers' Choice Awards ranks Japan highly for overall favorability and a high score in their annual ranking, with the 2024 report placing it as the most favorite country in the world for travelers, indicating a high perception of safety and overall appeal. 

• 
  Why is the USA so low in this ranking?  From G AI O.

The USA has a low ranking on the Global Peace Index due to high levels of violent crime, political polarization, widespread gun ownership, and substantial military spending and involvement in external conflicts. Factors such as high homicide rates, the prevalence of mass shootings, internal social unrest, and its status as a major arms exporter also negatively impact its score. The index assesses safety, security, domestic conflict, and militarization, areas where the U.S. performs poorly compared to other developed nations.

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  By, the way, these countries are "safer" than the USA (which is at #128):  Kenya 127 (crazy, I've been there, and was told in Nairobi, DON'T WALK OUT OF THE HOTEL AT ALL!), South Africa 124 (I've avoided this country because I heard the cities were dangerous), Mozambique 121, Belarus 119, Papua New Guinea 116 (read my adventure here), Nicaragua 111, Egypt 107 (another worthy read on my difficulties), Philippines 105, Cuba 102, China 108, Dominican Republic 79, Tajikstan 79, France 74, Jordan 72, Ghana 61, Kazakstan 56, Laos 47......

I did not have Europe in my future travel plans, but maybe I'll look into making a final tour to include Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia, Portugal and Finland.  I recently stopped by Switzerland and Denmark.

Episode 33 of the Kilauea Volcano eruption Halemaumau Crater came yesterday, but only from 3:11AM to 12:08 PM.  Lava fountains soared up to 800 feet.

Seems now to be erupting about every 8 days or so.  So you can almost plan a visit to the Big Island to catch the next one.

Gabrielle is a tropical storm in the Caribbean at 65 mile per hour, but she will strengthen into a hurricane tomorrow, with a path seemingly heading straight for New York City.  However, on Sunday and Monday, she will make a right turn and move into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, going mostly east.

However, in the West Pacific is Typhoon Ragasa, who just became a typhoon today, but is now already up to 115 MPH, and will further strengthen into a Category 4, with a track nicely between the Philippines and Taiwan.  Ragasa will weaken into a Category 1 and could make landfall over China, well south and east of Hong Kong, then bring a lot of rain to Vietnam.

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