Spotlight on:

“God Bless the Kuritan Dynasty!”

The Greater Empire of Altane is a massive, devout nation, ruled by HIM Holy Emperor Victor XX with an even hand, and notable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 1.755 billion have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Religion & Spirituality. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Raultome. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 81%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Woodchip Exports, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Cheese Exports industries.

The teaching of evolution has been banned, door-to-door salesmen are frequently beaten up by 'vigilantes', agricultural science is the most competitive subject at Altane's universities, and Pinkerton agents are called in to forcibly break up white collar strikes. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Altane's national animal is the Bvidar, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is Anglican Christianity, and its currency is the Altane Credit.

Altane is ranked 19th in the region and 4,513th in the world for Largest Basket Weaving Sector.