by DM Zwack

Created on: December 27, 2009

There is no best country. Countries cannot be easily ranked or rated, though of course we never stop trying. But no statistical data-income, life expectancy, educational attainment, or other measurable factors-can accurately calculate what constitutes a country's greatness. All nations possess the capacity for greatness and all fall short of their maximum potential because countries are governed by people and people are imperfect.

Locales that place high in quality of life comparisons typically offer cold climates and relatively sparse populations. The wonderful nations within the region of Scandanavia-Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden-and the USA's spectacular northern cousin, Canada, serve as salient examples of this. Others frequently mentioned at or near the top include prominent countries in Western Europe like France, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, among others, Japan in Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. All these countries, plus many more, are undeniably amazing places and all have flaws; the perfect nation has not been, and will never be, established.

I carry a great deal of enthusiasm and affection for certain places I've traveled to. My favorites are Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania and the United Kingdom, Wales in particular, but I've managed to find something beautiful about every country I've visited and there are many more I still want to see. I don't determine my favorite places through objective means; I don't ask where do they live the longest, where are they the wealthiest or the best educated, where do they have the best health care or the least government corruption. Such information is both interesting and useful but it isn't how I determine "best."

The United States of America, then, is by far my favorite country. It is, of course, an exceptionally wealthy place, though millions remain in poverty. Life expectancy is high, but not as high as Sweden, Canada or Japan. The USA has crime, drugs, corruption and political and social division. It is also beyond wonderful; there is an indescribable openness and freedom. There is great spirit, passion, and, above all, incredible diversity, both among the citizens and in the country's climates and landscapes.

I love the United States because I can have edginess and tranquility at more or less the same time. Every stereotype about America is true and is simultaneously false, because with 50 states and over 300 million people,

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