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International Data "Ultralight Handbook for the Road" Vital data on every nation and populated territory on the planet in abbreviated form: Visas, weather, recommended immunizations, ATM access, U.S. embassies, national statistics, water quality, useful languages, and the strength of the dollar. Study of the system KEY and practice a bit to quickly extract the data you need. Print the pages and take a featherweight guide to the world along on your journey!
Confirm essential information via other sources! The author cannot assume any responsibility for problems you have resulting from dated or incorrect information! Please send me updates. Thanks! Key to AbbreviationsSample Nation (Read to see how easy it really is!) Key to Symbols and Abbreviations Den -- Population Density-persons per square km. Note -- many countries have significant regional variation in population density. Inc -- Average Income per capita in U.S. dollars. h=100, t=1000, tt=tens of thousands US -- U.S Embassy information-City and phone only. NDR-No Diplomatic Relations. AI-American Interests office in named embassy. Visa -- Visa Regulations for U.S. citizens: TYPES AND REQUIREMENTS: NR-Visa not required. R-Visa required. NA-Visa not available to U.S. citizens. PNV!-U.S. pasport not valid without approval or license of U.S. govt. BP-Visa-like stamp or tourist card issued at border or by airlines. Tran-Transit visa, valid for limited passage over short period. Sometimes permits only 24-48 hr. stay at airport. SE-Single entry visa. DE-Double entry visa. ME-Multiple entry visa. SP-Special Entry/Permit requirements. ISSUANCE AND VALIDITY: Bor-Visa issued at border. If paired with another abbreviation, Bor. refers to that particular category. Adv-Visa must be obtained in advance. 3rd-Visa available in 3rd country embassies. h, d, w, m, y-Length of validty in hours, days, weeks, months, years. Paired with applicable category. ext-Visa duration extendable in country. UW-Visa must be Used Within indicated time from date of issue. REQUIRED TO OBTAIN VISA AND/OR ENTER COUNTRY: Tk-Must show onward ticket at border. $-Must show adequate funds at border (bank statement or letter sometimes wanted). It-Must present travel itinerary. Ref-Reference letter from U.S. source required. Inv-Invitation from host nation required. Res-Must show hotel reservations to enter country. UPON ENTRY: PR-Police or Immigration Registration required after arrival. Note -- WHERE VISAS ARE LISTED AS "NR" (NOT REQUIRED), THEY ARE USUALLY AVAILABLE ANYWAY FOR LONGER AND/OR NON-TOURIST STAYS. Note -- VISA INFORMATION COMES PRIMARILY FROM THE U.S.D.S DOCUMENT, "FOREIGN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS", SUPPLEMENTED BY GUIDEBOOK DATA AND EXPERIENCE. INFORMATION MAY BE INCOMPLETE OR DATED. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS MAY BE NUMEROUS, OBSCURE, AND VARIABLE BETWEEN ENTRY POINTS, DATES, AND OFFICIALS. Automatic Teller Machines:
NOTE -- CREDIT CARD CASH ADVANCES ARE POSSIBLE IN MOST ATM-FREE COUNTRIES AT CERTAIN LARGE BANKS AND AMERICAN EXPRESS OFFICES. AE -- Indicates number of American Express Travel Service offices found in the country. Almost always located in the capital and/or largest city(s) $ -- Relative power of dollar. Number indicates how much it will take to buy goods and services that would cost $10 in the U.S. (derived from U.S.D.S. "Indexes of Living Costs Abroad"). NOTE -- FIGURES ARE BASED ON OBTAINING GOODS AND SERVICES THAT MEET U.S. STANDARDS; BUDGET TRAVEL GOODS AND SERVICES WILL BE CHEAPER, PARTICULARLY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. THE INDEX FIGURES ARE MOST USEFUL IN COMPARISON TO EACH OTHER. La -- Languages commonly spoken in the U.S. that are useful or important outside of their home nations: E-English, F-French, S-Spanish, G-German, I-Italian, C-Chinese, P-Portugese Wea -- Weather notes: Numbers 1-12 represent calendar months (1=January, etc.). C = Cold months, H = Hot, D = Dry, W = Wet, ! = extreme months.
Rx -- Recommended Vaccinations & Malaria Prophylaxis-H-Hepatitis A, M-Malaria prophylaxis, mm-Meningococcal Meningitis, P-Polio, T-Typhoid, O-Other with notes. See ICV listing for Yellow Fever and possible Cholera vaccination. Note -- THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL RECOMMENDS THAT ALL TRAVELERS CHOULD BE UP TO DATE ON A PRIMARY SERIES OF VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS THAT INCLUDE MEASLES/MUMPS/RUBELLA (MMR), DIPTHERIA/TETANUS (TD), POLIO (OPV), HAEMOPHILIUS INFLUENZA B (hbCV), AND HEPATITIS B (HBV). CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN. Note -- THE IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION PRESENTED MAY BE INCOMPLETE, INACCURATE OR DATED. CONSULT THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL FOR CURRENT INFORMATION. ICV -- International Certificate of Vaccination information: Y indicates a Yellow Fever endemic nation. If traveling to these nations, get a Yellow Fever immunization and carry the ICV -- many countries demand to see it. C indicates areas with a recent history of Cholera outbreaks. A few countries still officially require proof of Cholera vaccination if you are arriving from these areas. Get immunized if necessary and have it noted on your ICV. NOTE -- THAT THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL STATES THAT "CHOLERA VACCINE IS OF QUESTIONABLE BENEFIT TO TRAVELERS OF ANY AGE." WQ -- Tap Water Quality: G-Safe to drink almost everywhere. ?-Drinkable in limited areas. T-Treat, filter or boil tap water everywhere. NOTE -- SOME "?" GRADED NATIONS DESERVE "T" OR "G" BUT I HAD NO DATA. "?" GRADE NATIONS VARY WIDELY IN WATER QUALITY. CERTAIN AREAS OF OF "G" GRADE COUNTRIES HAVE TAP WATER PROBLEMS. USE GUIDEBOOKS AND INQUIRE LOCALLY BEFORE DRINKING TAP WATER.
Here's how to interpret the Argentina listing: Argentina has a population density of 12 people per square mile, indicating lots of sparsely populated land. The average income of $3100 a year is relatively high for South America. The U.S. embassy is in Buenos Aires -- you can dial either 774-7611 or 774-8811 when in town. Use a "1" when in the Buenos Aires 'region', "541" when farther out and for international calls (you'll need one more code for international calls). You do not need a visa to enter Argentina, you'll be issued a border pass before or when you arrive that is good for a stay of up to 3 months, and is extendable. You'll find Mastercard ATM's, 500 Visa ATM's, 60 Cirrus ATM's, 300 Plus ATM's, and 20 American Express Travel Service offices. U.S. government employees are given approximately $16 to buy the same goods that would cost $10 in the U.S., indicating that the budget travel dollar won't go as far as it will in countries like Guatemala and Bolivia. Spanish is the most useful of the 7 listed languages commonly spoken in the U.S. The weather around Bahia Blanca is cold in July and August; hot December through February; dry December, January, May, and July through September; very dry in June; and is average in temperature and precipitation at other times. Around Sariento, it's cold May through September; dry in March; wet in May and January; very wet June through December; and is average in temperature and precipitation at other times. The CDC recommends you get immunized or take prophyllactics for Hepatitis, Malaria, Polio, and Typhoid -- a standard set. There have in the fairly recent past been local outbreaks of cholera and it's possible that another country will want to see evidence on your International Certificate of Vaccination of your being immunized for cholera if you are arriving from Argentina -- though this is unlikely and the CDC does not recommend this vaccination. There is enough water of questionable quality in the country that you should be cautious about drinking it. |