They offer a unique geography, flora and fauna (including a pleasingly spine-chilling collection of venomous creatures), fascinating traces of the country's first inhabitants, and enough empty space to give visitors from more crowded places agoraphobia.

ECONOMIST: A survey of Australia

Ed Marx, who worked at the Chrysler plant in the 1960s and now owns retail space in downtown Belvidere, said he is holding a number of his empty storefronts from the market because he knows the interest isn't there yet.

WSJ: Car Plant Brings Wary Hope