How Did Iceland Become the Safest Country in the World to Visit?
Recently, it was revealed that Iceland is the safest country in the world for the 11th year in a row. An Australian company looks at a variety of data to determine the safest and most dangerous countries out of 163 independent states, every year. Here’s how Iceland came out on top once again.
The factors taken into account in the data crunching include crime rates, terrorist attacks, murder rates, weapons exchange, incarceration rates, corruption, and government function.
There are a few reasons why it should come as no surprise and why Iceland’s history of peacefulness contributes to the current ranking. The tiny Nordic nation of 340,000 with an equally tiny crime rate has just 1.8 murders per 100,000 people per year. Another reason is that Iceland has no military; its skies are monitored by a rotation of guest militaries each year. This, all in all, makes the chances of war very low. The Icelandic police are also unarmed and have only just begun to carry guns in their vehicles.
While Iceland’s violent crime rate is low compared to other countries, it is on a per capita basis, meaning individuals are three times more likely to be a victim in the US than in Iceland. Another factor one might not assume as playing a big role in safety is the lack of a class system, creating a greater sense of equality and equanimity amongst the population. You will notice firsthand when you visit Iceland how this ranking of safest country in the world is demonstrated by the Icelandic custom of leaving babies sleeping outside in prams on the street, as well as the freedom given to children in general. The general small-town feeling goes hand-in-hand with the fact that the phone book is listed on a first name basis.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
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Hanna
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2 years.
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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
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