Interesting Facts

1. California has issued at least 6 drivers licenses to people named Jesus Christ.

2. Kangaroos can not walk backwards.

3. ‘Jedi’ is an official religion, with over 70,000 followers, in Australia.

4. According to a recent survey, more than half of British adults have had sex in a public place!

5. Most alcoholic beverages contain all 13 minerals necessary to sustain human life.

6. Nachos is the food most craved by pregnant women.

7. Each year, 24,000 Americans are bitten by rats!

8. Most dreams last only 5 to 20 minutes.

9. The hair of an adult man or woman can stretch 25 percent of its length without breaking.

Control Risks: High security and travel threat
iJet: 4
State Department: No current warning

Port Moresby has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and violent crime rates are extremely high across the country of Papua New Guinea. Car-jacking, armed robberies and vehicle stonings are common in Lae and Mount Hagen, and pickpockets operate in practically all the urban areas. Papua New Guinea's mines and forests attract industry from around the world, but rural areas or even isolated public places like parks or beaches are the scene of robberies and sexual assaults. Travelers are advised against public transportation, including taxis. Rental cars are generally a safer option.

Control Risks: Extreme security and travel threat in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan; high terrorist risk in Islamabad
iJet: 4
State Department: Travel warning

Pakistan has been a conflicted state ever since it was founded in 1947 when a section of India, at the time under British rule, was cordoned off to make a Muslim state. Two wars were subsequently fought over disputed Kashmiri territory, and a third resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. Nuclear testing by India prompted copycat testing in Pakistan in 1998, and since then, militant and extremist groups have congregated here and target American and Western interests. Islamabad and the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan are particularly dangerous, where members of al-Qaida and remnants of the Taliban remain.

Valentine’s Day originates from the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on 15 February in honour of the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. During the festival, young men would draw the names of women from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year’s celebration. Often they would fall in love and marry.

At around 270AD Rome was facing battles and civil uprising. The men were not keen to join the army. Emperor Claudius II believed that the men did not want to leave their loved ones and summarily cancelled all marriages and engagements. Two priests, Valentine and Marius, disobeyed the decree and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. Valentine was caught on 14 February and dragged to jail. Later in the day he was clubbed to death and beheaded. It is said that, before his execution, Valentine himself had fallen in love with the jailer’s daughter. He signed his final note to her, “From your Valentine.”

Control Risks: High security, political and travel threat
iJet: 5
State Department: Travel warning

In the summer of 2003, Liberia's 14-year civil war was brought to a close with a peace-keeping agreement and the exile to Nigeria of Charles Taylor, the former president. But there are still 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers and 1,100 police advisers stationed throughout the country. Crime in Liberia is a major problem, and the bulk of it takes place after dark. Theft, sexual assault and murder are common. Moreover, recent business scams asking for money for a variety of dubious causes have targeted Americans. These frauds can result in physical, as well as financial, harm.

Elvis Had a Twin
Most people consider Elvis exceptional, unique, and one-of-a-kind. Yet, Elvis had a twin brother (Jesse Garon) who died at birth. What would the world have been like with both Elvis and his twin? Would Jesse have been anything like his brother? We are left only to wonder.

Gerald Ford's Real Name
Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, was known for most of his life as Gerald "Jerry" Ford. However, Ford was not born with this name. Gerald Ford was born in 1913 as Leslie King Jr., named after his father. Unfortunately, his biological father was abusive and so his mother divorced Leslie King Sr. shortly after Ford's birth. Two years later, Ford's mother met and married Gerald Ford Sr. and Ford's family began to call him Gerald Ford Jr. rather than Leslie King Jr. Although from about age two Ford was known as Gerald Ford Jr., the name change was not made official until December 3, 1935, when Ford was 22 years old.

Control Risks: Extreme security, terrorist and travel threat
iJet: 5
State Department: Travel warning

No region of Iraq is safe for visitors, not even the International, or Green, Zone. The U.S.-led occupancy has so far not been able to tame the insurgency, and former members of the Ba'ath regime are still at large, as are various international terrorists and criminals. Civilians die daily in car bombings and suicide bombings, and much of the terrorist activity is aimed directly at U.S. citizens or U.S. assets. Obvious targets, like restaurants, hotels, police stations or checkpoints, are to be avoided.

Control Risks: High political, security and travel threat
iJet: 5
State Department: Travel warning

There is no effective police force in Haiti. Sudden demonstrations and violent outbreaks are common, despite a 2004 government change. Previously, private businesses were often victims of violence and extortion, and even today many Haitian towns are controlled by criminals. Basics such as water and electricity are unavailable or extremely limited. Employees of the U.S. Embassy function under a curfew here, and visitors traveling in Haiti cannot expect the protection of the few U.N. representatives who remain here.

Control Risks: High across much of the country
iJet: 3
State Department: No current warning

The civil war of the 1980s and 1990s has divided Georgia to this day: Separatist regions exist in north-central and northwest Georgia, which refuse to recognize the authority of the government in the capital of T'bilisi. The volatile political situation and intensity of past violence against missionary troops (including beatings and destruction of property) means that travelers should proceed with great caution, especially in the Pankisi Gorge area, where Georgian forces have clashed with Chechen fighters and other terrorists. In addition, American citizens are prohibited legally from making the overland crossing between Russia and Georgia.

Control Risks: Extreme security and travel threat in the northeast
iJet: 5
State Department: Travel warning

AIDS is one major health hazard in this African country, and active rebel groups, formed over the course of long-standing political power battles, are another. U.N. observer forces, located around the country, are unable to prevent the pillaging, car-jackings, murders, rapes and kidnappings performed by active-duty troops as well as armed, unofficial groups. Airports and other ports of entry often levy bribes on incoming or departing travelers.