The United States, separated from much of the world by two oceans and bordered by allies, is, by dint of geography, among the best-protected countries on earth.

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According to these tables, the UK is the best country to take a degree in geography, with UK universities dominating the global top 10 for this subject.

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In 2013, we want to build on that momentum and amplify our global brand, providing the best experience for every user, on every device, in every geography.

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From a natural resources standpoint, Argentina is one of the best endowed countries in the world, with vast energy reserves and an incredible geography for agricultural production.

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The race could turn on a mix of ideology, geography, nuts-and-bolts issues, personality and who can best fill the big shoes of Barbour, the outgoing chairman.

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Geography is one advantage: rough seas and big tides make the British isles one of the best places in the world for sea power.

ECONOMIST: The government wants to build up a marine-energy industry

Last year, Forbes.com studied these differences (See: " The Best Places to Die") and discovered that when it comes to end-of-life issues, geography can be destiny for the terminally ill.

FORBES: For Dying, Geography Can Be Destiny

If the Chicago Meat Authority needs a new specialist butcher, rather than posting to a number of different job boards and then sorting through the e-mails themselves, they can post through SmartRecruiters, which will instantly post the job on the best boards for that type of position, sort the responses and bring back the top choices based on experience, geography and salary expectations.

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