Location: Springfield

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The City of Lower Springfield is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by Mayor Homer Simpson with an even hand, and notable for its national health service. Its hard-nosed population of 5.881 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.

The large government juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Welfare, and Commerce. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Lower Springfield. The average income tax rate is 27%, but much higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology, Pizza Delivery, and Tourism industries.

Bear is one of the most popular forenames in Lower Springfield, people faint regularly as they get stuck with compulsory vaccinations, the government has taken a 'sort it out yourselves' approach to fighting malaria, and the government is phasing in welfare programmes to tackle poverty. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown. Lower Springfield's national animal is the bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is something awesome, and its currency is the dollar.

Lower Springfield is ranked 4th in Springfield and 68,650th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -14 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and