Spotlight on:

“United as One”

The United States of Alsted is a massive, socially progressive nation, renowned for its irreverence towards religion. Its hard-nosed, intelligent population of 4.198 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.

The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked morass -- juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Defence. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Port Alsteden. The average income tax rate is 44%, but much higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Information Technology and Gambling.

Heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste, almost half of the child population live rough on the streets, the tenet of free speech is held dear, and the latest Harry Potter book is a bestseller. Crime is relatively low, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Alsted's national animal is the Snowy Owl, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Alstedian Dollar.

Alsted is ranked 442nd in the region and 40,835th in the world for Highest Unemployment Rates.