Location: The North Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Ninja's Planet Pirate Ship of HigeMaru is a gargantuan, economically powerful nation, ruled by The Dojankiest Nogmanimal with an even hand, and renowned for its complete lack of public education. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 17.92 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.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded, corrupt individuals juggles the competing demands of Defence, Commerce, and Healthcare. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Arbentant Moltock. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Automobile Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Arms Manufacturing industries.

Fewer people are bathing as citizens must show ration stamps before they can turn on their faucets, the workforce is almost entirely made up of slave labour, muscular women are banned from competing in sporting competitions, and the police force is on a recruitment drive. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. HigeMaru's national animal is the Spelunking Gopher, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is a joke, and its currency is the Steve.

HigeMaru is ranked 3rd in The North Pacific and 64th in the world for Largest Trout Fishing Sector, scoring 25 on the Nemo Depletion Efficiency Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and