African country emerges as one of the most forward-thinking countries in the developing world

New hot spot alert people! Cape Verde is officially one of the most forward-thinking countries in the developing world.

This is according to non-profit group Ethical Traveler, which is a project of Earth Island Institute.

Every year, the group releases an annual list of the 10 most forward-thinking countries in the developing world.

Each country is reviewed for its performance in the areas of human rights, social welfare, animal welfare and environmental protection, while also having appeal as a travel destination.

Ethical Traveler's information sources include Freedom House, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Reporters Without Borders, UNICEF, LGBT resources and the World Bank.

This year's first-timers to the list include Grenada, Micronesia, Mongolia, Panama and Tuvalu. Monglolia also happens to be the first developing mainland Asian country to ever appear on the list.

Check out the full list of the most forward-thinking countries in the developing world.

1. Cape Verde

2. Dominica

3. Grenada

4. Micronesia (Federated States)

5. Mongolia

6. Panama

7. Samoa

8. Tonga

9. Tuvalu

10. Uruguay