These are among the countries in which foreign visitors are thought least likely to come to harm as a result of political unrest, terrorism, kidnapping or other forms of violence and aggression.
Those packing their bags for Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan, meanwhile, probably already know they could be in for trouble.
But what about those planning to visit Russia, Saudi Arabia or Mexico this year? China, Uzbekistan, and Mauritius?
And what, if any, are likely to be the security concerns this summer in London and elsewhere in the UK, during the Olympics?
Although the situation in any country may change overnight, a fair idea of what to expect from a security perspective in 2012 may be found in a 35-page “threat forecast” just released by red24, the global emergency and risk management consultancy.
The report, which looks at the world regionally, outlines what its authors say are 24 “key political and security threats” that are likely to impact the global environment over the next 12 months.
Featured in the report is a map of the world in which countries considered extreme-risk areas are coloured black, low-risk countries green, and medium- and high-risk countries orange and red, respectively.
Perhaps not surprisingly, large stretches of South America, Africa and the Middle East are solid red, as are Russia and Mexico, while the US, China and most of Europe is orange (“medium risk”).
Canada, Australia and New Zealand are green, as is Uruguay, the only South American country that is not red or orange.
The four countries marked in black are Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
As for London during the Olympics, the report notes, “the UK terrorist threat level, currently rated as ‘substantial’, is very likely to rise to ‘severe’ (the second-highest classification level on a five-step scale) ahead of the event.
“Although no specific intelligence has emerged thus far to suggest a terrorist attack is being planned, high-profile and historic events, such as the Olympics, remain preferential targets for groups and individuals willing to stage some sort of ‘spectacular’ attack to raise their profile and advance their cause.
“Islamic extremist groups and individuals remain the primary concern.
“Dissident Irish Republican terrorist cells and individuals also pose a plausible threat.”
China, meanwhile, is considered a "medium risk" country because of the possibility of localised civil disturbances, though a ‘Chinese spring’ is considered "unlikely".
The report is available on the red24 website (registration required).
To read how global security concerns are driving growth in the industry which supplies kidnapping and ransom insurance, advice and emergency evacuation services, click here.
