Location: the South Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The United Socialist States of Kholdan is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Zghuk Whitescull with an even hand, and notable for its anti-smoking policies. Its compassionate, hard-working population of 2.022 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, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Commerce. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Kholdan City. The average income tax rate is 97%. 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.

Drunk drivers are sent to rehabilitation paid for by the government, half-naked men feature prominently in official military materials, badminton was recently banned due to 'unacceptable violence' inherent to the game, and the government is slowly introducing social welfare programs. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Kholdan's national animal is the Osprey, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, its national religion is a major religion, and its currency is the Mark.

Kholdan is ranked 29th in the South Pacific and 517th in the world for Most Influential, scoring 218 on the Soft Power Disbursement Rating.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and