(WGHP) — Anytime you’re traveling to another country, it’s best to know what to expect.

That’s why the United States Department of State issues travel advisories. These advisories serve as a guide to help travelers understand the level of potential risk they may face as Americans abroad.

The United States Department of State issues travel advisories from level 1, counties where travelers should “exercise normal precautions,” up to level 4, where the State Department warns “Do Not Travel.” In some cases, countries may be marked “Other” with additional information to explain why that particular situation may be more complicated.

All travelers should be aware that, as of Oct. 19, the Department of State has issued a Worldwide Caution. The caution highlights "increased tensions" around the world and the risk of "terrorist attacks, demonstration or violent actions" against Americans.

Here's the full text of the Department of State's Worldwide Caution:

Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. U.S. citizens should:

Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
This article is meant to be a starting place for travelers researching potential travel risks, but it only scratches the surface. We encourage anyone traveling abroad to check the U.S. Department of State website for the latest travel advisories and specific information.

Level 4: Do Not Trave[/b]l
According to the U.S. Department of State, a Level 4 advisory "is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time."

Iraq
Lebanon
Russia
Niger
South Sudan
Somalia
Mali
Central African Republic
Burkina Faso
Haiti
Belarus
North Korea (Democratic People''s Republic of Korea)
Burma (Myanmar)
Venezuela
Yemen
Syria
Libya
Iran
Afghanistan
Ukraine
Sudan

[b]Level 3: Reconsider Travel
According to the U.S. Department of State, a Level 3 advisory means: "Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time."

The following countries are under a Level 3 advisory:
Nigeria
Mauritania
Guinea-Bissau
Ethiopia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Chad
Burundi
Papua New Guinea
Trinidad and Tobago
Nicaragua
Honduras
Guyana
Guatemala
El Salvador
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Macau
Pakistan
Uganda
Colombia
Jamaica

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
According to the U.S. Department of State, a Level 2 advisory means: "Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time."

The following countries are under a Level 2 advisory:

Tajikistan
Namibia
Ghana
Peru
Belize
South Africa
Azerbaijan
Brazil
Bangladesh
Malawi
Gabon
Sri Lanka
Cote d'Ivoire
The Gambia
Tanzania
Sierra Leone
Republic of the Congo
Mozambique
Madagascar
Liberia
Kenya
Guinea
Eritrea
Equatorial Guinea
Djibouti
Cameroon
Benin
United Kingdom
Turkey
Sweden
Spain
Serbia
Netherlands
Moldova
Kosovo
Italy
Germany
France
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium
Albania
Timor-Leste
Solomon Island
Philippines
Laos
Indonesia
Angola
Uruguay
Turks and Caicos
The Bahamas
Panama
Costa Rica
Chile
Armenia
United Arab Emirates
Tunisia
Oman
Morocco
Jordan
Bahrain
Algeria
Hong Kong
Zimbabwe
Turkmenistan
Nepal
Maldives
India
Ecuador
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Bolivia
Eswatini
Antarctica
Cuba

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
According to the U.S. Department of State, a Level 1 advisory "is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time."

The following countries are under a Level 1 advisory:
Sint Eustatius
New Zealand
Australia
Argentina
Tuvalu
Kiribati
Fiji
Zambia
Togo
Seychelles
Senegal
Sao Tom and Principe
Rwanda
Mauritius
Lesotho
Comoros
Cabo Verde
Botswana
Switzerland
Slovenia
Slovakia
Romania
Portugal
Poland
Norway
North Macedonia
Montenegro
Malta
Luxembourg
Lithuania
Liechtenstein
Latvia
Ireland
Iceland
Hungary
Greece
Georgia
Finland
Estonia
Czech Republic
Cyprus
Croatia
Bulgaria
Austria
Andorra
Vietnam
Vanuatu
Tonga
Thailand
South Korea
Singapore
Samoa
Palau
New Caledonia
Nauru
Mongolia
Micronesia
Malaysia
Japan
French Polynesia
Cambodia
Brunei
Suriname
Sint Maarten
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Saint Lucia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Paraguay
Montserrat
Grenada
French West Indies
French Guiana
Dominica
Curacao
Cayman Islands
Canada
British Virgin Islands
Bonaire
Bermuda
Barbados
Aruba
Antigua and Barbuda
Anguilla
Qatar
Kuwait
Taiwan
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
The Kyrgyz Republic
Bhutan
Marshall Islands
Other
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza
Last updated on Nov. 24, the advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza warns, "Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."

Do Not Travel To:

Gaza due to terrorism and armed conflict
Reconsider Travel To:

Israel due to terrorism and civil unrest
West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest
Mexico
Last updated on Aug. 22, the Mexico advisory warns, "Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities."

Do Not Travel To:

Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
Guerrero state due to crime.
Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping.
Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping
Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.

Reconsider Travel To:

Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping.
Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.
Durango state due to crime.
Guanajuato state due to crime and kidnapping.
Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.
Morelos state due to crime.
Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

Aguascalientes state due to crime.
Baja California Sur state due to crime.
Chiapas state due to crime.
Coahuila state due to crime.
Hidalgo state due to crime.
Mexico City due to crime.
Mexico State due to crime.
Nayarit state due to crime.
Nuevo Leon state due to crime and kidnapping.
Oaxaca state due to crime.
Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
Queretaro state due to crime.
Quintana Roo state due to crime.
San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
Tabasco state due to crime.
Tlaxcala state due to crime.
Veracruz state due to crime.

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

Campeche state
Yucatan state
China
Last updated on June 30, the China advisory includes Level 2 and Level 3 advisories, citing concerns of "arbitrary enforcement of local laws" across the country with a "risk of wrongful detentions" in Mainland China and "limited ability to provide emergency consular service" in the Macau Special Administrative Region.

Reconsider Travel To:

Mainland China
Macau Special Administrative Region
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

Hong Kong Special Administrative District