The United State of America (USA) is one of the powerhouses of the world, having influenced many countries around the world.  A leading of fashions, a leader in industry and a leader in military action, the USA is very very powerful.

Often denounced as a projectionist country, the welfare and rights of Americans are enshrined in the make up of the country.  At over 9.6 million km2, the USA is on of the top three countries by land mass, but to many it is the top by economic power.  Such is the size of the country that different states are often caught up in different time zones, and a trek across the country can be a long long adventure.

While English is the national language of the USA, the country has a mass of different ethical groups with Spanish making up a particularly large section of society.  There are also fairly large South American and Canadian contingents, due to the very close trade and political relationships with the two areas.  The variation on the landscape and temperatures is nearly as varied as the range of ethical groups, with glacial back drops set against the many desert areas of the USA.

The visa system in the USA is a little more complicated than most (commonly referred to as the “Green Card”) and the situation has been tightened yet further as the authorities continue their campaign against terrorism.  As mentioned above the country is very protective of the rights of natural born Americans, and immigrants must have the correct documentation, and be able to offer something which is not freely available in the country.

Expats wanting to live in America should take the time to study the immigration policy of the USA, as this can change on a fairly regular basis.  In the past, immigration has been simple for many, but those days have gone and it can prove very difficult to obtain permanent residency in the country. 

When many expats look towards moving to a different country the main question on their minds seems to be “What has this country got which is special?”.  New Zealand is one of those countries where you should really ask “What does this country not have which makes it special?”.  New Zealand is a country which has one of the lowest crime rates of the developed world, a place where the police do not carry guns, and offers an unpolluted environment, low rates of poverty and a health service which can compete with the UK’s renowned NHS.

While often discussed as secondary to neighbouring Australia (which is actually 2000 km away) New Zealand does not get the exposure and credit which it deserves.  In general terms , the standard of living is on a par with European counterparts although the actual cost of living is much less.  Even though the property market has shown some growth over the last few years, there is perceived to be very good long term value.

The culture of the country tends to revolve around the Maori tribes of old, who still play a very active role in the communities of New Zealand, although a vast majority of today’s population are of European descent.  Indeed the Queen of the UK still reigns over the country, as New Zealand is a strong part of the British Commonwealth.  While the New Zealand has over the years attracted a vast number of British and Irish expats , the authorities are still committed to increasing the country’s population by some 1% a year through a fairly flexible immigration policy.

The education and health service are second to none , with New Zealand reporting a very impressive 99.9% literacy rate.  The country also has a well developed state welfare system which is probably a trait of the strong connection with the United Kingdom.  All in all New Zealand offers a mixture of climates, cultures, a law abiding society and a variety of employment and investment opportunities. 

While many people were surprised by the Military coup in 2006, the effect on the running of the country has been minimal so far.  The new regime have promised to look at democratic elections in the short term, although as yet no date has been set.  While obviously force was used to eject the old ruling regime, it seems that there has been no backlash towards the population although there has been come censorship of the media.  

For those not aware, Thailand has one of the biggest cities in the world in the shape of Bangkok which has an population approaching 7 million people (although unofficially many suggest the figure could be as high as 14 million).  The city is the centre piece of the country and listed as the 22nd most popular city in the world - a great attraction for tourists and expats who visit the country.

Even though Bangkok seems to take all of the headlines, the country is actually made up of some 76 provinces, offering differing insights into Thai life and culture.  Surrounded by Burma on the North West, Laos on the North East and Cambodia to the South, Thailand is a fairly sizeable country.

While the country offers a mix of ethnic groups and cultures, apart from the Thai population, there is a large contingent of Chinese immigrants, and other smaller groups from around the area.  Religion is as diverse as the cultures although Buddhism plays a major part in the makeup of the country, with Christianity a smaller but significant religion.  English is widely taught in schools, although generally speaking the standard of education is well below that of Europe and other developed nations.

While there is obvious concern about the coup situation, the hope of democratic elections (as and when they happen) should clarify the short to medium direction of the country.  Until further details are made available, many expats are holding off any decision about moving to Thailand . 

It may surprise many to find that Canada is actually the second largest country in the world by land mass, although vast areas of the land are uninhabitable.  There are areas of the north pole which the country has “claimed” although these claims are not universally accepted, so there is  some confusion as to the overall size of the country.

While Canada has for some time had a special relationship with the United States,  whereby they have acted together in military campaigns and are the largest trading partners for each other, the origins of the country are more connected to the United Kingdom and France.  Still part of the commonwealth, Canada has proved to be a very popular place for expats to relocate, with the British and French cultures very evident in the country.

The ethnic mix of Canada is dominated by the English (20%), French (16%), Scottish (14%) and Irish (13%) and the Queen of England is still officially the head of state.  English and French are the natural languages of the area, and while there is no “state education department”, each of Canada’s provinces has complete control of their own education system.

Historically Canada has always been in the shadow of the more dominant United States, although the country still has a very significant tourist industry, offering a culture which takes in elements of the British, French and US ways of life.  Canada has a few unique characteristics of its own including the Canadian Police Force, the so called “mounties”, who have a unique style and look which is known throughout the world.

Applying for permanent residency in Canada is fairly straight forward, although cases will be considered on an individual basis.  Successful candidates will receive a Permanent Resident Card which they must carry at all times, especially when leaving and returning to the country.  A permanent resident must actually live in the country for at least 2 years out of every 5 otherwise the residency may be at risk.

For those looking at full Canadian Citizenship there is a 3 year wait (during which time you must be resident in the country) before you can apply for this - although this is not mandatory. For more information on immigration and other issues why not post a question on our Canada Expat Forum for ExpatsLiving in Canada .

While the Australia of today is a fairly young country it has a great history which goes back thousands of years to the aboriginal tribes.  The population of this massive country are well known for their relaxed attitude to life and their love of sports, with Australian Rules Football and Cricket especially popular.  Originally part of the British Empire, the country is now independent under the commonwealth flag - although there has been much speculation as to whether this will change in the future.

First discovered by the developed world in 1606, there were a number of claims of ownership on the country - with the British Empire finally stamping their authority.  While often mentioned in the same breath as the likes of New Zealand, Australia is actually fairly isolated from other countries with New Zealand some 2,000 km away.

The vast majority of today’s Australian population can be traced back to British and Irish ancestors, and unsurprisingly the country still receives a fair amount of British and Irish Expats living in Australia.  Other nationalities represented in Australia include New Zealanders, Italians, Vietnamese and the Chinese.  The Australian authorities have long since operated a fairly tight immigration system which is based upon a point scoring formula.  Only people who can offer something to the Australian economy and culture will be considered for residency. 

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While renowned for its tourism, Spain has much more to offer with breath taking landscapes, untouched countryside and traditions which go back centuries.  Located in Southern Europe, the Kingdom of Spain was originally under Islamic control prior to a number of wars which resulted in the independent Spain of today.

Like Britain, Spain had been very progressive in building an Empire which took in the likes of Cuba, Puerto Rica, Philippines and Guam - although these were all lost to the US in the Spanish-American war of 1898.  Further colonies were later sold off to German, thereby reducing the span of the Spanish Empire.

The demographics of Spain are still highly influenced by the colonies of old, with the country still proving very popular with Latin America, Eastern Europe and North Africans.  Such was the flood of immigrants at the turn of the century that the Spanish Authorities instigated an amnesty whereby all “illegal inhabitants” were granted residency thereby ensuring the government were able to prevent the emergence of an underground culture.

While the political scene in Spain has historically been fairly volatile, with tensions between different areas of the country, this appears to have calmed of late. 

Singapore consists of 63 separate islands, which have changed ownership on numerous occasions over the years.  Colonised by the British in the 1800s the country was merged with Malaysia in 1963, although due to a clash of cultures this was abandoned in 1965 when Singapore gained its independence.

Originally a fishing nation, the country has grown substantially over the last 40 years, with economic growth almost unmatched anywhere else in the world.  Like many Southern Asia countries, it is seen by many as an entry point in to the main Asia market, although the fact that the country has adopted capitalist principles further strengthens the appeal to the West and others chossing to become Expats living in Singapore .

While Singapore is a popular stop off point for those travelling from Europe to Australia, it has a vibrant tourism community of its own. 

Situated on the South-western peak of Europe, Portugal is one of the more popular tourist destinations of Europe.  The country has encountered a constant flow of attention over the centuries, offering a strategic entry point to the European continent.  The Romans, Germanics and Moorish have all held the country at some point in time, each leaving a  little of their cultural footprints behind.

While Portugal is fairly small compared to the other major nations of Europe, the country was a much stronger force throughout the world in the 15th and 16th centuries.  Slowly but surely the Portuguese Empire has been broken up, reducing the impact of the country’s historic success at exploring the world.  However, Portugal is very much an integral part of Europe, being a member of the European Union, United Nations and NATO.

The country has a very stable political environment which has been a major reason behind the prosperity of Portugal.  This stability has attracted a number of Expats living in Portugal from areas such as Brazil, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Moldova, reversing the earlier trend of net emigration.  

The countries past age of discovery and subsequent enlarged empire of old have all left an impression on the Portugal of today.  Strong in poetry and literature the country offers an interesting and beautiful mix of various cultures. 

Situated in the Baltics, Latvia was initially part of the Soviet Union until September 1991 when it was officially recognised as an independent state. Since declaring independence the country has gone from strength to strength and was granted membership of the European Union on 1st May 2004 (the country has also been a member of NATO since March 2004). 

Situated in the Pacific Ocean, Japan consists of an amazing three thousand separate islands, although not all are inhabited - many being the result of volcanic activity over the years.  The country is surrounded by China, Korea and Russia and is often referred to as the corridor between the East and the West.  

Japan has a population in the region of 128 million, although it is a mass of contradictions with the capital city of Tokyo boasting a population of some 30 million - the worlds largest metropolitan area.  Once a fairly secretive and private society, expanding trade links with the west have resulted in an interesting mix of old and new cultures influenced by Expats living in Japan .  

Along with the US, Japan has a major influence on the worldwide economy, and is a member of Nato, the G8 and a host of other vital worldwide organisations. 

Situated in Southern Europe, Italy is regarded by many as the most romantic country in the world, with Venice a particular hot spot with tourists.  The culture, the beauty and the vast array of food and drink has seen Italy grow in stature over the last 50 years, although the country does have a particularly volatile history.

The country has become embroiled in a number of conflicts since the creation of Italy, with races such as the Romans and the Greeks having very strong influences over the country.  Such greats as the mathematical genius Pythagoras, Leonardo da Vinci, Mussolini and Garibaldi are some of the powerful figures deeply entrenched in Italian history.

The often volatile nature of the country’s political scheme has held the country back until only recently., with mass migration from Southern Italy only diminishing in 1970 - it was estimated that over 26 million Italian emigrated to the likes of France, Belgium, Australia and the US for better employment opportunities.

The country is renowned for its art, cuisine and beautiful untouched countryside and while the political situation has historically been volatile it has calmed down over the last 20 years. These and many other positive factors are influencing the growing community of Expats living in Italy .

Historically under Chinese rule, Hong Kong was taken over by the British in 1841, when military forces invaded the country after the ruling Qing Dynasty’s refusal to allow opium to be imported into Hong Kong.  Slowly but surely the British way of life was introduced to the country, which very quickly became one of the main industrial nations of the Far East.

After years of negotiation and conflict, 1997 saw the signing of an agreement between the UK government and Chinese authorities to transfer sovereignty back to China.  Under a complicated “one country, two tier” system , Hong Kong will retain its own laws, police force and monetary system until at least 2047, although China will be responsible for defending the colony and foreign affairs.

While many observers had expressed grave concerns about the hand over, and the conflicts between Chinese society and the Hong Kong society, there have been no problems as yet.  Whether this will change in the run up to 2047 remains to be seen. 

While it is a little known fact, the word France originates from the Franks, a Germanic Tribe who occupied much of Northern Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.  France has since gone on to become one of the power houses of Europe, being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a founding member of the United Nations and a forceful member of the G8.

France is the most popular destination for tourists in the developed world, with some 75 million foreign tourists making for the French shores every year.  The attractions of France are many, from the vineyards to the Eiffel Tower to the Alps - not to mention the beautiful countryside in between and the multicultural city which is Paris.

The country also has one of the most highly developed transport networks of the modern world, boasting a record 31,000 km of rail track, access to the Eurotunnel and a very efficient underground system.  While an obvious attraction for the travelling tourists, the infrastructure has also helped to build a strong French economy.

France has had problems in the past with the rise of immigrant enclaves, sometimes leading to conflict with the French nationals.  Much work has been carried out by the government and the situation now seems to be under control.  Even though French is the official language, there are an amazing 77 recognised regional variations, as well as a vast array of religions practised (France is predominately a Catholic country). 

Many people fail to distinguish Dubai from Dubai City, when in fact Dubai is one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates with Dubai City the main city of the state. Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emirates although it has the largest population, and perhaps the most well known throughout the western hemisphere..

It is distinguished from the other Emirates by the fact that only 6% of the countries revenues are derived from oil - a main source of income for many of the cash rich countries of the Middle East. Dubai is one of the best developed states in the world, attracting a high ratio of professionals from all over the world.

Dubai is fast becoming the focal point of the Middle East with many seeing the state as a corridor between western values and eastern tradition. This and many other reasons will result in an increase in the number of Expats living in Dubai . 

Up until 1974 both Northern and Southern Cyprus were under the same rule, although years of infighting and conflict came to a bloody conclusion.  This prompted both the UN and British Authorities to intervene and erect an official “green line” separating the North and South of the island.  This created a Turkish Controlled Cypriot state in the North and a Greek Controlled Cypriot state in the South.

Originally a member of the United Kingdom, prior to independence in 1960 (and admission to the Commonwealth in 1961) there is a heavy UK influence, especially in the Northern region, as well as the obvious Greek and Turkish influences.

A beautiful land which has been hidden away from the general tourist industry for some time, Cyprus is beginning to grow in its own right along with the community of Expats living in Cyprus .