Bermuda Map

In 2004, Handicap International, a non-governmental organization, recorded at least 17 incidents involving unexploded land mines in the Casamance.  No serious study has been carried out in the Casamance to map out mined areas.  The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remain on well-traveled routes at all times.   ... [Read More]

Turks and Caicos

Road signs are not prevalent, but as there are few roads on the island, finding one's way with a tourist map is generally not a problem.  Drivers should be alert for unmarked hazards such as blind intersections or changes in road conditions.  Primary roads are generally drivable in both urban and rural areas.  Secondary roads are often unpaved, and have ruts and potholes.  Be aware that, in the event of a breakdown, roadside assistance is generally not available.  For emergencies, drivers may call 999 or 911 for emergency police, fire, or medical assistance. Visitors require a valid driver's license from their country of residence.  Safety of public transportation in the Turks and Caicos is generally good.  Most car and motor scooter rental agencies will not rent to anyone under t ... [Read More]

Brazil

The Brazilian Federal Government maintains a (Portuguese language) website with up-to-date information on road conditions throughout the country ( http://www.dnit.gov.br). It also has downloadable state roadmaps. A private Brazilian company, Quatro Rodas, publishes road maps that contain local phone numbers to ascertain the current conditions of roads on the map. They are available at www.guia4rodas.com.br. Apart from toll roads, which generally have their own services, roadside assistance is available only very sporadically and informally through local private mechanics. There is a group called the "Angels of the Pavement" that provides roadside assistance on the main highway between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The fastest way to summon assistance in an emergency anywhere in the country is to dial 193, a universal number staffed by ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Human Genome Project Completed Ahead of Schedule

NHGRI and its partners in genome research have already begun tackling a number of these challenges. For example, in November 2002, a team of researchers from six nations launched the International HapMap Project, an effort to produce a map of common human genetic variations aimed at speeding the search for genes that contribute to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, schizophrenia and many other common conditions. ...

"This is the day that our planning group dreamed of," said Bruce Alberts, Ph.D., chairman of the 1988 National Research Council Committee on Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome, which produced the original recommendations for the Human Genome Project. "And the quality of the sequence would have amazed us. In 1988, we weren't sure that accuracy rates of 99.9 percent were possible, and we were uncertain that continuity over distances of millions of base pairs could be achieved. The finished human sequence is a fabulous outcome. Biomedical researchers now have tremendous foundation on which to build the science and medicine of the 21st century." Dr. Alberts is now the president of the National Academy of Sciences. ... [Read More]

Spain and Andorra

Thieves often work in teams or pairs. In most cases, one person distracts a victim while the accomplice performs the robbery. For example, someone might wave a map in your face and ask for directions or “inadvertently” spill something on you. While your attention is diverted, an accomplice makes off with the valuables. Thieves may drop coins or keys at your feet to distract you and try to take your belongings while you are trying to help. Attacks are sometimes initiated from behind, with the victim being grabbed around the neck and choked by one assailant while others rifle through or grab the belongings. A group of assailants may surround the victim in a crowded popular tourist area or on public transportation, and only after the group has departed does the person discover he/she has been robbed. Purse-snatchers m ... [Read More]

Korea, Republic of

For information on entry requirements for the Republic of Korea and other countries, see our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure or contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea at 2450 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-5660 or visit the Korean Embassy Internet home page at http://www.koreaembassyusa.org/. Republic of Korean Consulates are also located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a web site with a directory of all Korean diplomatic missions worldwide at http://www.mofat.go.kr/mission/missions_map_en.mof. ... [Read More]

US State Department Road Safety Overseas

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

Argentina

CRIME:  Street crime in the larger cities, especially greater Buenos Aires, is a serious problem for residents and visitors alike.  Visitors to Buenos Aires and popular tourist destinations should be alert to muggers, pickpockets, and purse-snatchers on the street and at bus and train stations.  Criminals usually work in groups, are usually armed, and employ a variety of ruses to victimize the unsuspecting visitor.  A common scam is to spray mustard or a similar substance on the tourist from a distance.  A pickpocket will then approach the tourist offering to help clean the stain, and while doing so, rob the victim.  Another common scam is for victims to be approached by someone with a map asking for directions, while another accomplice robs the victim.  Several American vi ... [Read More]

Child Support Enforcement Abroad

  INDIVIDUAL U.S. STATE CHILD SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS Q. THE U.S. DOES NOT HAVE A FEDERAL INTERNATIONAL CHILD SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTRY WHERE THE PERSON WHO IS OBLIGED TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT IS LOCATED. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ARRANGEMENTS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST WITH ENFORCEMENT? ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Bermuda is an archipelago of seven main islands and some 150 other islands and islets.  The main islands, joined by bridges or causeways, stretch from northeast to southwest in a long, narrow formation that hooks northward at the western end.  On the map, the shape is much like that of a fishhook.  The main islands are in close proximity and, since being joined, the Bermuda Islands (or Somers Isles, their other name) are generally called the island of Bermuda. ... [Read More]