Spotlight on:

“Democracy is air without which Socialism cannot survive”

The United Socialist States of The Northern Baltic is a colossal, safe nation, notable for its sprawling nuclear power plants. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 7.62 billion hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Equality, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 100%. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising fourteen-year-old boys selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

Heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste, there's a shortage of swinging hot spots as land development grinds to a halt, students are known to arrive at school in their pyjamas, and suit-clad businessmen have been taking advantage of the relaxed welfare qualifications by shopping with food stamps. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The Northern Baltic's national animal is the Pterois volitans, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Labor dollar.

The Northern Baltic is ranked 41st in the region and 50,441st in the world for Largest Publishing Industry.