Location: the South Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Allied States of Bergenu is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by President Vero with an even hand, and renowned for its museums and concert halls. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 8.787 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 Social Welfare, Healthcare, and Defence. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Bergenu City. The average income tax rate is 77%, and even higher for the wealthy. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

Scientists regularly clone human beings for research purposes, religious organizations are being forced to leave the country or pay income taxes like everybody else, roads are often attended by round-the-clock construction crews, and Bergenu has been recently classified as an international menace after 'liberating' several nearby territories. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Bergenu's national animal is the Southern Pygmy Pig, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the berg.

Bergenu is ranked 4,573rd in the South Pacific and 95,839th in the world for Largest Trout Fishing Sector, scoring -5 on the Nemo Depletion Efficiency Index.

Preview

NationStates by Max Barry, author of and