Spotlight on:

“Strength through unity!”

The Grand Archipelago of Brightwood is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Prime Minister Laura Siegal with a fair hand, and renowned for its keen interest in outer space. Its compassionate, hard-working, intelligent population of 1.576 billion enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, liberal government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Education, and Social Equality. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Wellington. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 80%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Information Technology and Tourism.

Truth is often impossible to tell from fiction on the evening news, the armed forces are locked in an expensive and bloody war abroad to stamp out possible terrorists, Prime Minister Laura Siegal has just been declared ruler of Brightwood in an international press conference, and frequent fliers are obliged to submit to invasive security procedures by government security. Crime is relatively low. Brightwood's national animal is the roadrunner, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the mark.

Brightwood is ranked 522nd in the region and 39,533rd in the world for Largest Arms Manufacturing Sector.