An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations,

generally referred to by its shortened title The Wealth of Nations, is

the magnum opus of the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam

Smith. First published in 1776, the book offers one of the world's first

collected descriptions of what builds nations' wealth, and is today a

fundamental work in classical economics. By reflecting upon the

economics at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the book

touches upon such broad topics as the division of labour, productivity,

and free markets.