Spotlight on:

“Welfare; Freedom; Democracy!”

The Federal Union of Barrettstia is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Premier Chris B Chikin with an even hand, and notable for its irreverence towards religion. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 1.681 billion enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Education, and Social Welfare. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Anburgh. The average income tax rate is 9%, but much higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Tourism, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Automobile Manufacturing industries.

The Barrettstia Enquirer offers weekly cash prizes for 'most blasphemous song, story, or cartoon', major cities are suffering under water rationing, the latest Harry Potter book is a bestseller, and most governmental positions are filled by zealous nationalists. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Barrettstia's national animal is the silvertip bear, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the barr.

Barrettstia is ranked 6th in the region and 2,900th in the world for Largest Furniture Restoration Industry.