The U.S. State Department's travel advisory system includes four levels-Level 1 being "exercise normal precautions;" Level 2 meaning "exercise increased caution;" Level 3 signifying Americans should "reconsider travel" and Level 4 meaning "do not travel." Heading into summer 2019, only 14 countries are currently under Level 4 status and effectively a no-go for Americans. Travelers should avoid these places entirely when planning their next trip. In the meantime, be sure to create an account with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and provide the details of your trip to receive the latest travel advisors and alerts as soon as they're issued.

The State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Iraq as recently as May 15, when it ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. The department warns Americans against travel due to terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict.

Americans are discouraged from traveling to Sudan because of the threat of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict, the State Department warns, noting that violent crime-including kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasion and carjacking-is common. The departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees was ordered in April.

It's been four years since the start of the Yemeni Civil War and the country still remains dangerous for travelers. The State Department recommends Americans avoid Yemen due to terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping and armed conflict, stating that "terrorists may attack with little or no warning" and target "public sites, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls and local government facilities." Yemen is also home to the world's largest cholera outbreak.

The State Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Venezuela due to ongoing political instability at the start of 2019 and warns of crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, kidnapping and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. The Department of Homeland Security suspended flights between Venezuela and the U.S. last month.

"No part of Syria is safe from violence," according to the State Department, which highlights an ongoing threat of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict. Like some other countries in this region of the world, Syria has been in the midst of civil war for years.

It's been almost eight years since South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan but it's also a Level 4 destination, according to the State Department. Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict present a real threat to travelers, with carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies and other violent crime common across the country.

In addition to the threat of crime, terrorism and kidnapping in Somalia, the State Department warns that pirates are active in the waters off the Horn of Africa near Somalia. It's feared that terrorist attacks may occur with little or no warning in places many travelers are likely to be, including airports, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and other highly populated places.

Crime, terrorism and kidnapping are common in the West African nation of Mali, the State Department warns, noting that "violent crime is a particular concern during local holidays and seasonal events in Bamako, its suburbs and Mali's southern regions."

Located just west of Egypt, Libya has experienced high crime levels, with some U.S. citizens and westerners having been targeted in kidnappings for ransom. "Violent extremist activity in Libya remains high and extremist groups have made threats against U.S. government officials, citizens and interests," the State Department warns.

Americans visiting Iran face a very high risk of being kidnapped, arrested and detained, according to the State Department. Like other Level 4 countries, the U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations so it's unable to provide emergency services to citizens on the ground.

The State Department ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members from Haiti this past February because of the ongoing risk of unpredictable and violent demonstrations in Port-au-Prince and other parts of the Caribbean country. In addition to civil unrest, crime and kidnappings continue to be a threat.

Another African country to receive a rare Level 4 advisory from the State Department, the Central African Republic is uninviting to travelers as "large areas of the country are controlled by armed groups who regularly kidnap, injure, and/or kill civilians," according to the U.S. government. The country has been unstable for decades since its independence from France last century and shares a border with Sudan and South Sudan, which are also Level 4.

Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict threaten Americans visiting Afghanistan. The State Department says kidnappings, hostage-taking, suicide bombings, widespread military combat operations, landmines and terrorist and insurgent attacks have reached "critical levels."

North Korea has been in the news more so than any of the other countries on the State Department's Level 4 list. The U.S. government says Americans should stay away "due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals." Getting into North Korea isn't easy either as it requires special validation from the State Department.