Imagine a world in which land can be bought for less than a dollar and the only planning restrictions are those of its inhabitants’ imaginations. An online tourist destination where you can spend the morning shopping for virtual designer clothes before heading off to a live virtual gig by Suzanne Vega or Razorlight. And if you’re still not exhausted (or broke) after all that, imagine dancing the night away and perhaps taking a new friend back to your personal spaceship for virtual coffee or… well, you get the idea.

Founded in 2003, Second Life’s population recently passed the 2.5 million mark with more arriving every minute, either to live or work, or just to sight-see. The Unofficial Tourists' Guide to Second Life introduces first-time visitors and new inhabitants to the virtually endless wonders offered by this exciting new world. All Second Life is here, including:

• The essentials – what to wear and how to behave

• The people – finding likeminded souls – or soulmates

• Key places to visit – must-see tourist hotspots, shops and shows

• After Dark – because when people say that Second Life offers all of the same experiences as the real world, they really mean it