Few places are as evocative as Morocco. The tanneries of Fez, kasbahs of the mid Atlas or whitewashed splendour of Essaouira.

The recent history of Tunisia is one of both triumph and tragedy. The overthrow of Ben Ali and the instigation of the Arab Spring from Mohammed Bouazizi’s immolation in Sidi Bouzid, made the country the focus for those seeking a new narrative for the Middle East and North Africa. This extraordinary event led to protests from Manama to Muscat, Algiers to Amman.

Oman is one of the many Middle Eastern countries that has experienced great change over the last half century.

Discounting tiny dependent territories and island states, Bangladesh is by far the most densely populated country in the world. With a population of over 160,000,000, it is three times more densely populated than its enormous neighbour, India. Although the birth rate has slowed considerably since its peak in the 1970s and 80s, it still stands at over 1% and the population is forecast to exceed 190,000,000 by 2050. It may come as no surprise, then, that this relatively small country has some serious housing issues.

Lebanon, once a wealthy country and a centre for trade and finance, is currently experiencing some tough times. Financial mismanagement, a lack of consistent government and a failure to implement reforms which would allow outside aid have plunged the country into an economic crisis.