Individuals find it difficult to cope with the vast quantities of cash consumed by a modern nation state, and everyday rules of thumb can sometimes lead to utterly wrong conclusions.

ECONOMIST: Statistics

For years only heads of state and visiting diplomats were given Cohibas but in 1982 it went on sale in limited quantities.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Five hundred experts analysed vast quantities of data and produced what they claim is the first coherent body of evidence about the state of Britain's natural environment.

BBC: The great myth of urban Britain

Louisiana State Attorney General Charles Foti is trying to force UBS, the Wall Street investment bank, to turn over vast quantities of information on its trading, stock lending and other activities related to shares of software firm Sedona .

FORBES: Magazine Article