Location: Greater Dienstad

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Western Imperiate of Azura is a huge, genial nation, ruled by Leader with an iron fist, and remarkable for its devotion to social welfare. Its compassionate, cynical population of 825 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.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it is mainly concerned with Social Welfare, although the Environment and Healthcare are on the agenda. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Avsalon. The average income tax rate is 67%, and even higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Information Technology.

The police crack down on tax evaders without mercy, shanty towns have formed around the newly rebuilt commercial district, parents live in fear of governmental 'child protection' squads, and Leader has just been declared ruler of Azura in an international press conference. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is well under control. Azura's national animal is the Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Talent.

Azura is ranked 46th in Greater Dienstad and 69,137th in the world for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring -1 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and