Friday Favourites - Country

I've had a lot of discussions with friends about what country to set books in. A lot of my writer friends set their novels in America/UK as there is a school of thought that American's/English prefer to read books set in their own country. What I want to know from YOU is, is it true? 

Melissa and I have set our Mica and Lexy series in New Zealand. Melissa has occasionally worried about this, but being the stubborn arse that I am I wouldn't consider anywhere but New Zealand, where I'm born and bred. I've never been to America or England so would feel a fraud if I set a book there, with no experience of the landscape or culture. Sure I watch movies but how real are they? 

Personally I love to read books set all over the world. I like to find out new and fascinating facts about different places. 

Does it make a difference to YOU where a book is set? Do you prefer books set in your own country or do you like to read about other areas in the world? 

Novel Climax

As I plan out my next manuscript I'm thinking a lot about the final climax. When should the climax come? How big should it be etc.... It made me wonder when I prefer the climax to be. Do I like it to be on the last page with little or no story after it, or do I prefer there to be a scene or two following the climax so we can see everyone is happy or all is okay?

Let's look at both extremes: (spoliers)

Romeo and Juliet. The climax is obviously when they both die. The story basically ends there, there can be no happy ending or anything else. Their deaths kill the story. But man, what an ending. Sudden, unexpected and you'll be thinking about it for weeks.

Twilight's Breaking Dawn. Is there a climax in this? Without an actual fight happening, Breaking Dawn sort of just ends with the Voltaire leaving with their tails between their legs and then we get the super gooey romantic stuff between Edward and Bella, with the added little twist of Bella's new power. Personally I loved all that gooey stuff and like Romeo and Juliet still thought about it for weeks.

How important is it that the climax is big and unexpected?
 What are your favourite books and how important was the climax to you enjoying it?