Spotlight on:

“Magister”

The Protectorate of Althami is a huge, safe nation, remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed population of 304 million 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 -- concentrates mainly on Education, although Law & Order and Religion & Spirituality are on the agenda. The average income tax rate is 39%, but much higher for the wealthy. A large private sector is led by the Beef-Based Agriculture industry, followed by Woodchip Exports and Arms Manufacturing.

Elections have become procedural nightmares due to voters persistently rejecting candidates, the people are famous throughout the region for their bleached-white teeth, elected officials often serve for decades in a single term, and minority children spend hours bussing to schools miles away from home. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Althami's national animal is the leopard, and its currency is the etha.

Althami is ranked 1906th in the region and 38,834th in the world for Largest Arms Manufacturing Sector.