10 Deadly Places and Why You Have to See Them

Recently, a series of explosions rocked the northern city of Tripoli. Less than a year ago, the terrorist group Hizbollah flexed its muscles by taking to the streets with machine guns and by using roadblocks to strangle flow to the international airport in Beirut. These internal rumblings are enough, let alone the precarious peace Lebanon has with its neighbor to the south, Israel.

Beirut was once known as the Paris of the Middle East and is quickly on its way to regaining that status - the many cafes, top-notch restaurants, and a world-class, non-stop, party-til-you-drop nightlife indicate that Beirut's star is, indeed, on the rise. Lebanon has seen plenty of history - from the Phoenicians, to the Greeks, to the Romans, and beyond - and the past in on prominent display in places like Byblos, Tyre, and Tripoli. Oh, and there's skiing, too.

The corrupt regime of Robert Mugabe reigns terror upon anyone who it deems "opposition"-kidnappings, disappearances, torture, assault, and imprisonment are the tactics of choice. These gross human rights violations make Zimbabwe a dangerous place, as do the lack of infrastructure and extremely limited access to medical care. There has been a cholera outbreak recently, as well, that has claimed the lives of thousands.

Zimbabwe is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. It is home to Victoria Falls which is estimated to be one of the largest waterfalls, if not the largest, on the planet. Zimbabwe's Mana Pools conservation area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to the high concentration of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and other wildlife that congregate in and around the pools of water. And there are the intriguing stone ruins near Masvingo.

Colombia is the epicenter of the highly profitable cocaine trade and competing organizations struggle to control the flow of the drug industry-the result? An ongoing drug war. Terrorist groups such as FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) also employ violent, guerilla tactics including kidnappings-and the threat doesn't just pertain to Colombians, anyone is a potential target, the rebels don't discriminate.

Colombia is a tourist's dream come true, boasting extraordinary beaches, lush jungles, and picturesque cities full-to-bursting with colonial architecture and relics of colonial history. Spend your days marveling at white sands, crystal clear water and reefs teeming with marine life. Spend your nights grooving to the beat of salsa or sampling the many offerings of Colombia's excellent nightlife. If you're too wiped out from dancing 'til dawn to hit the beach or the hiking trails, spend your days shopping, relaxing in cafes, and enjoying Colombia's fantastic cuisine.

An ongoing civil war and terrorist attacks by the Tamil Tigers, a Sri Lankan rebel group, makes this small country a risky place to travel. Unlike some of the other places on this list, Westerners themselves are not targets, but because long-running, messy conflict raises the possibility that tourists could get caught in the crossfire.

Civil unrest, kidnappings for ransom, violent demonstrations, and a weak police force governed by precariously posed politicians who could topple at any moment. And don't forget the jarring, heart-rending poverty and widespread corruption.

Haiti is home to a rich and unique local culture and you'll see it full-tilt-boogie in Port au Prince. You'll find excellent food, great live music, and vibrant local art. Haiti also offers stunning beaches, good snorkeling and scuba diving, rolling mountains, and La Citadelle-the sprawling fort that serves as a testament to the colonial history of the country.

According to the US Department of State's travel warning, "Some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States." That's putting it mildly. On numerous occasions, Iranian authorities have detained visiting Iranian-Americans. Further, the US doesn't have an embassy in Iran, so should something happen, well, you're at the mercy of the totalitarian regime.

Iran wasn't always Iran-it was Persia, the stage for layer after layer of history, and today the remnants are easily accessed by tourists. The ancient ruins at Persepolis are stunningly preserved and endlessly fascinating. Iran also boasts exquisite mosques and a spectacular landscape.

Civil war, heavily armed rebels roaming the countryside, carjackings, kidnappings, rape, murder-these are all great reasons not to go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Oh yeah, and throw in the occasional outbreak of deadly viruses in a country with little infra-structure and precious few medical facilities.

Virgin natural beauty: lush rainforests teeming with exotic flora and fauna-including mountain gorillas, green-carpeted rolling hills, volcanoes emitting the occasional puff of smoke. That's not enough? Consider this: some tourists go to the Congo just to see the gorillas.

Osama bin Laden was thought, for some time, to be hiding in the caves of Afghanistan's mountains. This war torn country, with its long history of occupation, is crawling with members of al-Qaeda as well as the dismantled Taliban. Not to mention the kidnappings, suicide bombings, and rocket fire.

Afghanistan is home to some of the most dramatic, breathtaking natural scenery in the world. Those mountains bin Laden was once hiding in? They're mind-blowing. In Afghanistan you'll also see extraordinary mosques, such as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali (known as the Blue Mosque), and some tidbits of Buddhist culture.

In January of 2008 two American embassy employees were assassinated in Khartoum. In Darfur, both genocide and a civil war rage on.

The northeast section of this sprawling country is free of violence and strife and is actually very safe. This is where the sands of Egypt become the vast sweeping deserts of Sudan, home to small pyramids and other remains of ancient cultures. In north Sudan, a rich blend of African cultures with more than a dash of Muslim influence is on vibrant display.

Even if you don't watch the news, you probably have an idea of what's going on in Iraq. The country trembles from the aftershocks of war, while sectarian fighting, terrorist attacks, and suicide bombers spread fear, death, and destruction.

Simply put, the land that is today known as Iraq was once Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. The country has been at the center of many epochs of history and boasts stunning natural beauty and a rich culture-a trickle of tourism continues in the far north of the country, which is a world away from the war.