Japan. They've got a booming tech field and car industry after World War II. Of course, their anime industry is highly valued too. And life there, from what I've heard, is pretty darn good.
Lapita culture or the prehistoric Pacific ocean people have developed skills in building crafts to sail the seas. Their greatest obstacle are the miles of water separating islands. In order to reach different land masses, they have develop skills to sail and navigate the seas.
