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The Nobel Prizes, which are awarded in chemistry, medicine, peace, physics, literature and economy, are an annual ritual celebrating human intellectual endeavor that began in 1901. (18) They were set up by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and arms manufacturer , who requested in his will that his fortune be used to create a series of prizes for those who worth the credit as bringing the " greatest benefit on mankind". (19) Over the intervening 109 years, more than 500 prizes have been awarded. But which nation can claim the most winners? We have worked hard through the records to produce a definitive list of the nations with the biggest brains. A clear winner would be the United States which comes out top overall, as well as in the five of the six categories. The UK is next, with 117 Nobel medals. (20)However, France, which bumps along in the fourth or fifth, is clearly ahead when it comes to literature. Finally, we have a list of a total of 69 countries or territories whose citizens have picked up the prize.