You can tell a lot about a country from its passport.
護照能讓你了解一個國家的許多事。
Color is the first giveaway. Nations tend to pick colors that reflect their national character. New Zealand decorates its famous rugby team, its airline, and its passports in the nation's favorite color, black. Many Islamic countries have green passports because of the importance of the color in the Muslim faith.
首先顏色就能洩漏不少資訊。國家通常會挑選能反映出他們國家特色的顏色。著名的紐西蘭國家橄欖球隊、紐西蘭航空，還有紐西蘭的護照，都是採用他們國家最愛的顏色－－黑色。許多伊斯蘭國家的護照則是綠色的，因為綠色在穆斯林信仰中是很重要的顏色。
But as well as a statement of national identity, color can demonstrate international cooperation. The British passport was originally a regal navy blue. But after Britain joined the European Union in 1973, it switched to burgundy red, in line with other EU countries. The common color was supposed to make European passports instantly recognizable. But since colors can't be patented, nothing stops others with the same idea. A number of countries that aspire to join the EU have changed their passports to burgundy, too. Meanwhile, Britain has decided to leave the club. Its government has announced that the UK passports will revert back to navy blue after Brexit.
除了宣告國家認同，顏色也能顯示出國際間的合作。英國護照最初是皇家海軍藍。但英國 1973 年加入歐盟後，護照就改成了酒紅色，跟其他歐盟國家一致。相同顏色理應讓歐盟成員國的護照一眼就能認出。但因為顏色不能申請專利，無法阻止其他國家仿效。一些希望加入歐盟的國家也將他們的護照改成了酒紅色。同時，英國決定脫歐。政府宣布脫歐後會將英國護照改回原本的皇家海軍藍。
If you have a passport from Singapore or South Korea, you're in possession of one of the most powerful travel documents on Earth. Passport power is measured by the number of countries the holder can access visa-free. Currently sharing first place in the power rankings, Singaporean and South Korean passports provide visa-free access to 162 countries each. British passport holders share fourth place in the power ranking with six other nations, each accessing 159 countries visa-free. Americans rank fifth, with access to 158. Somalia, Syria, Pakistan, and Iraq are among the world's least powerful passports. Afghanistan is the lowest-ranking of all, with visa-free access to just 26 countries.
如果你有新加坡或南韓的護照，你其實擁有了世界上最強大的旅遊文件。護照的強大與否，取決於持有者能免簽證前往的國家數量。目前排在第一位的是新加坡和南韓的護照，持有者能免簽證前往 162 個國家。英國護照跟其他六個國家並列第四，免簽國家數量達 159 國。美國護照排在第五，免簽國的數量是 158。索馬利亞、敘利亞、巴基斯坦和伊朗的護照在世界排名中敬陪末座。阿富汗是排名最低的國家，只能免簽證去往 26 個國家。
Having to get a visa is a hassle. First, there's the never-ending form. Then, there are lengthy appointments and expensive fees. Some visas also require travelers to prebook flights to prove that they intend to return home. But there are unexpected upsides to some of the world's weaker passports. Middle-ranking Namibia is one of just a handful of countries whose citizens can enter Angola visa-free. India is one of only three countries whose citizens have visa-free access to Bhutan.
取得簽證相是件繁瑣的事。首先，有填不完的表格。此外，還有冗長的面談和昂貴的費用。有些簽證也會要求旅客事先訂購機票，證明他們確實有回國的打算。但一些排名較低的護照也會有意想不到的好處。納米比亞的護照排名中間，卻是少數能讓公民免簽證前往安哥拉的國家。印度則是能免簽證前往不丹的三個國家之一。
A low-ranking passport limits your choices, but not your sense of adventure.
護照排名較低可能會限縮你的選擇，但檔不住你的冒險精神。
- 「與...一致」- in line with
But after Britain joined the European Union in 1973, it switched to burgundy red, in line with other EU countries.
但英國 1973 年加入歐盟後，護照就改成了酒紅色，跟其他歐盟國家一致。 - 「擁有」- in possession of
If you have a passport from Singapore or South Korea, you're in possession of one of the most powerful travel documents on Earth.
如果你有新加坡或南韓的護照，你其實擁有了世界上最強大的旅遊文件。
