The United States of America is the world's leading industrial power and the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy.

It ranks 18th in the Global Corruption Index with a score of 7.5.

It is a market-oriented economy, where individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and government buys goods and services in the private marketplace. The US has less than 5% of the world's population, but accounts for over 25% of the world's economic output.

It is the world's most IT-ready nation with a score of 5.50.

The US believes in free markets, but the recent exodus of jobs from the US to low-wage nations like India has made many Americans clamour for a ban on outsourcing.

Beams of light shine into the sky behind the Statue of Liberty and above the Manhattan skyline, September 11, 2003.

Photograph: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images