Spotlight on:

“Damn the man, save the Empire!”

The Commonwealth of Hollow Shire is a huge, socially progressive nation, notable for its anti-smoking policies. Its compassionate, hard-working, intelligent population of 527 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 juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Welfare, and the Environment. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Hollow Shire City. The average income tax rate is 47%. 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.

Hollow Shire has designated Hollow Shire City as its capital city, the average commuter spends four hours a day driving to and from work, heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste, and the nation is experiencing a severe shortage of sporting events. Crime is well under control, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Hollow Shire's national animal is the fairy wren, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the boink.

Hollow Shire is ranked 1105th in the region and 46,383rd in the world for Largest Basket Weaving Sector.