Color is the first giveaway.

顏色是第一個提示

Nations tend to pick colors that reflect their national character.

各國都會精心挑選適合的顏色來反映出他們國家的特色

New Zealand decorates its famous rugby team,

例如紐西蘭就選他們橄欖球隊

its airline, and its passports

以及航空的代表色-黑色

in the nation's favorite color, black.

作為護照封面

Many Islamic countries have green passports

許多回教國家則使用綠色為護照封面色

because of the importance of the color in the Muslim faith.

因為綠色在回教代表著忠誠

But as well as a statement of national identity,

顏色除了可以代表其國家地位以外

color can demonstrate international cooperation.

還可以顯現國家與國家之間的關係

The British passport was originally a regal navy blue.

像英國護照原本是海軍藍為封面

But after Britain joined the European Union in 1973, it switched to Burgundy red in line with other EU countries.

但在 1973 年加入歐盟之後，就換成了和歐盟其他國家一樣的酒紅色

The common color was supposed to make

這統一的顏色

European passports instantly recognizable.

也讓歐盟成員國的護照增加了辨識度

But since colors can't be patented,

不過護照要用的顏色並沒有辦法申請專利

nothing stops others with the same idea.

所以也會出現有相同想法的國家使用

A number of countries that aspire to join the EU

有些致力於加入歐盟的國家

have changed their passports to Burgundy too.

也使用酒紅色作為他們國家護照的封面

Meanwhile, Britain has decided to leave the club.

在此同時，英國決定要脫歐

Its government has announced that the UK passports

政府曾宣布過英國護照

will revert back to navy blue after Brexit.

在脫歐之後會改回原本的海軍藍

If you have a passport from Singapore or South Korea,

如果你持有的是新加坡或是南韓的護照

you're in possession of one of the most powerful travel documents on earth.

那你的護照是目前暢遊世界最強而有力的旅行身分證件

Passport power is measured by the number of countries the holder can access visa-free.

護照的強弱標準取決於持有者能免簽入境的國家數

Currently sharing first place in the power rankings,

這兩個國家目前並駕齊驅在效力排行榜上的第一位

Singaporean and South Korean passports

新加坡及南韓的護照

provide visa-free access to 162 countries each.

各提供 162 個國家的免簽入境

British passport holders share fourth place

英國護照與其他 6 個國家

in the power ranking with six other nations,

在排行榜上同時位居第四

each accessing 159 countries visa-free.

各擁有 159 國的免簽證

Americans rank fifth with access to 158.

美國位居第五，有 158 國免簽入境國家

Somalia, Syria, Pakistan, and Iraq

而索馬利亞、敘利亞、巴基斯坦及伊拉克

are among the world's least powerful passports.

是所有國家中最居於劣勢的國家

Afghanistan is the lowest-ranking of all,

其中阿富汗最居弱勢

with visa-free access to just 26 countries.

僅有 26 國免簽證入境國家

Having to get a visa is a hassle.

光要拿到一份簽證就會是場激戰

First, there is the never-ending form.

首先，會有各式各樣寫不完的文件

Then there are lengthy appointments and expensive fees.

漫長的流程及高單價的費用

Some visas also require travelers to pre-book flights

有些簽證則要求旅客必須要有預訂返程機票相關證明

to prove that they intend to return home.

證明旅客都會返回自己的國家

But there are unexpected upsides

但那些免簽證數少的國家

to some of the world's weaker passports.

也有意想不到的好處

Middle-ranking Namibia is one of just a handful of countries whose citizens can enter Angola visa-free.

納米比亞是少數國家中擁有安哥拉免簽的國家

India is one of only three countries

印度是唯 3 個國家中

whose citizens have visa-free access into Bhutan.

擁有不丹免簽之一的國家

A low-ranking passport limits your choices,

護照能力排名較低確實限制了你的選擇

but not your sense of adventure.

但不該限制你的冒險精神