Location: Conservative Paradise

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Federal Kingdom of Lower Columbia is a colossal, socially progressive nation, ruled by King Zachary with an even hand, and renowned for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 8.057 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

The large government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Religion & Spirituality. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Kendall. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 4%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Automobile Manufacturing, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Arms Manufacturing industries.

The mob and the police have recently had numerous clashes in the back alleys of Lower Columbia's cities due to the government's steadfast anti-casino stance, criminals are put to death while cuddling their favourite teddy bear, photographers can be found hiding behind the curtains in King Zachary's bedroom, and Pinkerton agents are called in to forcibly break up white collar strikes. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Lower Columbia's national animal is the thunderbird, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is Christianity, and its currency is the coulomb.

Lower Columbia is ranked 3rd in Conservative Paradise and 3,345th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring 21 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and