Spotlight on:

“No problem is insurmountable”

The Republic of Beached is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Fairly Dinkum with an even hand, and remarkable for its punitive income tax rates. Its compassionate population of 1.326 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.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Education, and Healthcare. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Lagoon. The average income tax rate is 96%. 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.

Scenic mountain valleys are flooded with water as damming projects get underway, the government has been kicking out foreign corporations in a bid to grow enough food for the populace, skateparks can be found in every city, and school uniforms are compulsory. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Beached's national animal is the Australian Magpie, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Seashell.

Beached is ranked 2345th in the region and 49,451st in the world for Largest Basket Weaving Sector.