The United Kingdom, with a score of 8.7, is the world's 11th least corrupt nation. It also is the 15th most IT-ready country with a score of 4.68.

Britain is one of the world's leading industrialised nations. The well-being of its economy depends on the export of manufactured goods in exchange for raw materials.

Its largest industries include aircraft, electronic and communications equipment, electric power, automation, railroad equipment, ships, vehicles, chemicals, petroleum, food processing and textiles. Britain is also moving up the value chain in the IT sector.

Britain's agriculture sector is highly mechanised and extremely productive.

The clock face of Big Ben is seen through a bed of flowers in Parliament Square in London.

Photograph: Sion Touhig/Getty Image