Spain

Since the 1950s, Spain has been a hive of investment from overseas, particularly Great Britain. With its gorgeous weather, picturesque countryside, fantastic beaches, friendly and fun-loving locals and its vibrant history and culture; it comes as no surprise that Brits would consider it their nirvana - 600,000 British-owned homes around the country speak volumes for its popularity. But Spain has gained a near worldwide reputation as a definitive location for "fun in the sun".

Spain only recently gained democracy, during the 1980s, and so compared with much of mainland Europe is considered as something of an emergent country; and you can find major regional differences in both language, food and culture - communities and cities around Spain have retained a great sense of autonomy. The country - covering over 500,000 square kilometres - has a surprisingly wide diversity of geography: while Spain is famed for its beaches, people often need reminding that it lays claim to the picturesque Pyrenees in the north east, which is just one of several mountain ranges to be found within its borders. The relatively low national population (around 50 million) combine with its continental climate and somewhat recent industrialisation to give way to stunning vistas and ample unspoilt habitats - an oft-forgotten feature of Spain is its fantastically wide range of wildlife, sometimes just a few kilometres away from major sites of tourism.

The country also boasts fairly low living costs compared with most of its European neighbours, as well as offering cheap cigarettes and alcohol - surely yet another explanation for its high status in the eyes of the British as a destination for both holidaying and a second home or property investment opportunity.