In the ancient world, a particular science was often associated with a particular culture on the basis of their excelling in that science. The Babylonians were eminent astronomers, being the first civilization to compute astronomical calculations instead of relying solely on naked-eye records, and so the classical authors perceived Babylonia as the 'land of astronomy'. The Egyptians had, from an early period, a keen interest in preserving the body through mummification for the afterlife, and thus became exceedingly knowledgeable on matters of medicine and anatomy. We thus find the sentiment of Egypt and Egyptians being intrinsically linked to successful medical practice in authors like Herodotus. And, as is well known, the science of mathematics, and especially geometry, became intimately linked with the Greeks due to their significant advancements in that field.

Now, my question is:
Do modern parallels exist? Do some countries, on the basis of their specific cultural spirit, excel in a particular science? Or has the world become too homogeneous for that?