Monthly Archives: April 2023

Turkmenistan – one of the most repressive and isolated countries in the world – is also one of the least visited nations for travelers from Los Angeles.  However, cautious, adventurous travelers who are not deterred by the difficult process for obtaining a Turkmen visa can enjoy historic, cultural and religious sites, as well as ancient Silk Road trading posts, rare desert wildlife, and resorts on the Caspian Sea.

More than 6.5 million people live in the former Soviet republic, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in Asia (the population of Turkmenistan is about ¼ the population of Southern California).  Turkmenistan is bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Uzbekistan.  For centuries, Turkmenistan has been a trade thoroughfare, as the ancient Silk Road spans the country.  In recent years, its major international trade activities have revolved around its large oil and natural gas reserves.

Miami area tourists have been allowed to visit Saudi Arabia ever since the kingdom finally opened the door to leisure travelers in 2019, following decades when most visitors were businesspeople, government officials, Islamic pilgrims, and/or expatriates visiting family members.  The largest nation on the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia’s natural treasures range from the beaches of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to its hot dry deserts, mountain ranges, grasslands, and forests (located in the Asir Mountains).

Editor's Note: U.S. passports are currently taking up to seven weeks to process using the government's expedited service.  It is possible to get a passport in less time by scheduling an appointment with the Passport Agency by calling 877-487-2778 and appearing in person at their office.

More residents of Jacksonville are obtaining U.S. passports as international travel grows, especially for corporate employees working for the city’s numerous logistics and financial sector firms that do business around the world.  Jacksonville’s population is diverse and includes thousands of retirees who enjoy the area’s beautiful weather and scenic coastline—many of whom may also travel internationally for leisure purposes.  And there are thousands of young people living in Jacksonville who attend one of the area’s eight colleges and universities, which includes University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Florida State College at Jacksonville.  These schools offer study abroad programs that provide their students with opportunities to travel internationally and learn about new cultures.  The schools also recruit students from outside the United States—all activities that require the need for passports.

Ethiopia – the cradle of civilization – continues to welcome tourists from the Las Vegas area seeking historic cultural treasures, exotic natural beauty, and warm hospitality.  Ethiopia’s importance in the origins of mankind was confirmed by the 1972 discovery of “Lucy”, a fossilized 3.2 million-year-old female near the Awash River.  Today, tourism is the largest sector of the nation’s economy after agriculture. While “Lucy” was touring the United States and the United Kingdom in the first decade of the 21st century, visitors from other countries flocked to Ethiopia to explore its deep cultural history.  

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (previously known as Abyssinia) is located in northeastern Africa in the Horn of Africa.  Unique among African countries, Ethiopia resisted colonial rule for centuries -- until a brief Italian occupation during World War II.  Strategically located near the Middle East and Europe, Ethiopia’s access to major regional ports makes it a center of international trade and global influences.  More than 110 million Ethiopians live in a country covering more than 470,000 square miles –an area larger than France and Spain combined.  The population is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, comprised of 80 various ethnic group who speak 90+ languages.  Almost two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, with most of the remaining inhabitants practicing Islam.  Half of the Ethiopian population was Jewish before Christianity was declared the national religion in the Fourth Century.  Today there are still several synagogues remaining in active use.

Editor's Note: U.S. passports are currently taking up to seven weeks to process using the government's expedited service.  It is possible to get a passport in less time by scheduling an appointment with the Passport Agency by calling 877-487-2778 and appearing in person at their office.

More residents of Columbus are obtaining U.S. passports as international travel grows, especially for employees of large companies like Kia Motors (in West Point, GA) and the dozens of other automotive manufacturing suppliers in the area that are doing business around the world, either importing manufactured goods from East Asia or exporting their finished products to Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.  Since many of these manufacturers have their corporate headquarters in South Korea, they are also sending their Georgia-based employees to Korea for training—all of whom require passports to make this international journey.  Columbus is also home to Fort Benning, a U.S. Army base providing employment to over 45,000 service members and civilian employees, some of whom may choose to travel internationally for leisure purposes.