Ten most Peaceful Places to live in the world

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace that rated the relative tranquility of 144 nations

according to 23 indicators â€" including gun sales, the number of homicides, the size of the military,

the potential for terrorism and the number of people in jail. The index defined peace as "the absence

of violence," and so far, things are a little dicey. Violence and instability have increased, respect for

human rights has decreased. The researchers also calculated that the world"s nations have

collectively lost close to $8 trillion due to the complications of widespread violence

So, what is the most peaceful country on Earth? Well, it's not Britain and it's certainly not the USA

(which places 83rd). It is New Zealand. Yes, the land of Hobbits and Kiwis is officially the most

peaceful country in the world. Not only does New Zealand have all the benefits of an English

speaking country, it"s also incredibly beautiful with an open society. And they don"t spend a lot of

energy trying to kill each other.

1. New Zealand

New Zealand might be the most isolated and expansive fully developed nation in the world. It shares no

borders, sits relatively distant from any other nation, has no real national enemies, has a safe democracy and

a diverse landscape with many remote places to hide away within. Furthermore, it ranked #1 on the Global

Peace Index in 2009.

2. Bhutan

Landlocked among the Himalaya mountains, Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations in the world. It also

showcases one of the most stable balances in the world between moderization and retention of ancient

culture. Its religious population believes in peaceful resolution to all conflict, and although it sits in a troubled

region, it remains protected by its geography.

3. Iceland

Iceland, of course, has no borders, has remote locations, is stable as a country and has virtually no world

enemies. Its people are happy and the nation always ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. If world conflict

erupts, Iceland is one of the few stable nations in the world unlikely to get caught up in the middle

4. Tuvalu

Isolated in the middle of Micronesia, Tuvalu is among the safest and most remote places in the world. It is the

third least populated country on Earth, and the forth smallest. There are only a few places more distant from

the world"s strife than Tuvalu.

5. Finland

Finland has a long history of desiring to stay out of international conflicts, is recognized as neutral and always

ranks in the top 10 of the Global Peace Index. It"s northerly location also typically means the remote areas of

this country are a perfect place to disappear.

6. Seychelles

Aside from being safely isolated from the rest of the world in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this beautiful

island nation is a great place to forget about your worries. Isolation is the key here. And conflict is as

transparent as the water.

7. Canada

Canada is the second largest nation in the world, yet it only shares a land border with one other country - the

U.S.A. - and it is a peaceful border. That means there is a great expanse to escape to, if need be.

Furthermore, Canada has few world enemies, ranks consistently high on the Global Peace Index, and is

relatively homogeneous.

8. Papua New Guinea

There are regions of Papua New Guinea that are still being discovered for the first time. The canopy covered,

mountainous nation contains some of the most isolated places in the world. Tuck yourself away in a nook

here and it may be one of the few places left where you can completely insulate yourself from the outside

world.

9. Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a stable democracy, a disbanded military and a national policy of neutrality. It also ranks

highly on the Global Peace Index, Happy Planet Index, and Life Satisfaction Index. Although it sits in the

middle of a tumultuous region, there are far worse places to sit in peace as the world goes down in flames all

around.

10. Switzerland

Switzerland"s long history of neutrality and its tucked away location among the valleys of the Alps still make it

a safe bet, even despite having a high number of bordering nations. It helps that neighboring Austria is also

considered a neutral nation
http://www.globecities.net/