What nation you admire the most?

I know there was a "favorite culture" thread a while ago, so what nation-state/country do you admire the most?

China, obviously.
The U.S. deserves an 'honorable mention' too.
Russia.
Korea [both].
Japan [still alive].
Canada [recent and growing].

Thats all for now, folks...

DUH GHERMANI (as if that wan't obvious)
Poland
Japan
America
Darfur (why tf not!?)

And all the other countries are kinda like "meh, whatevs" to me.

Not a nation, but anywhere in the Caribbean, specifically everything east of Puerto Rico.

Cuba

canada

Japan
Germany

Russia

France

way to limit the choices... :roll:

Prussia
Old Mexico
Habsburg Spain
Austria
Italy
UK
Japan
China
El Salvador

The Netherlands (well, obviously), Austria, Iceland, Japan.

Germany--I've lived here for a few years now, and this country has treated me very well. I really admire the German social system, the political debate, the beer culture and how Germany can confront the past without much hesitancy.

Canada--Deeply appreciate the attitude of Canada and its success. It always felt a just a little foreign, yet close enough to feel like home without the homesickness.

Czech Republic--I don't live far from the border, so I go over there frequently. A good country with also a boatload of history, tradition and a spirit for freedom. It's also nice to see the Slavic lifestyle after being in Bavaria.

However I think the country I admire the most is Poland. The resilience of the Polish people is awe inspiring despite the heel of history falling on them repeatedly. Poland has everything, from medieval towns to cities made of commieblocks. plains to high mountains. The friendliness and honesty of the Polish about their country is wonderful, and I'm so happy that I've had the chance to experience it. It's good to know also that Poland's economy is weathering the economic downturn better than most European countries, and the country is changing at breathtaking speed. Also, Polish women are foxes, but I'm biased because my ex is Polish

If you got 8 minutes to spare, this is cool to watch:

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Oh yes, honorable mentions for other countries goes out to the USA, France and Netherlands.

For me it would have to be the Roman Empire, although Germany comes close to them.

No nation is great...
-Anonymous

I would pick the Roman Empire, but considering there weren't really 'nations' in antiquity, as we know today, I have to say: Germany & Japan.

Both countries have a troffload of history, and both countries were ravaged (more than anyother) in WWII, but are today prosperous and flourishing nations.

I would also say Germany and Japan, for similar reasons to those above, but also because Japan's isolationism has given it a culture that even illuminati conspiracy wankers can't deny is completely unique, and because (eventually) I can trace both sides of my family back to Germany, although one is err, more German than the other - do Germans consider the Anglo-Saxons to be Germanic?) Plus Germany is in a far better position than the UK.
Also, Ethiopia for its age, the UK for it being my birthplace, and Canada because it seems nicer than Australia and the US. Oh, and Russia because of Putin! I'm sure there are plenty of other countries I can list, but I think i've said more than enough. Less is more, right?

In order,

America
Singapore
The Netherlands
Poland
Vietnam

Why Vietnam? Well, after kicking the ass of the Japanese Empire, they went and kicked the asses of the French Empire. After they kicked the ass of the French Empire, they went and kicked America's ass. After they went and kicked America's ass, they invaded Cambodia and removed the whole government. After removing the whole Cambodian government, they kicked China's ass too.

Those guys were fucking juggernauts. The Vietnamese have a lot to be proud of.

Ireland

Jamaica

Finland and the finnish people in general.Becouse they held out against the USSR the juggernaught that it was.

China for being one of the first civilization in the world and surviving the test of time.

Now I've lost it.

They didn't. They were choped up into European/Japanese/American spheres of influence for decades. Not to mention being conquered by the Mongols.