Location: the West Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Grand Duchy of Northwest Highlands is a massive, economically powerful nation, ruled by The Honorable Lord Frederick with an iron fist, and renowned for its ban on automobiles. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 1.803 billion are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The small, corrupt government concentrates mainly on Defence, although Law & Order and Commerce are secondary priorities. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Dhublaand. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 2%. A substantial private sector is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry.

Referenda are banned by law and the Parliament has absolute control of the legislative process, Members of Parliament are often found living in cardboard boxes, the government has cut taxes in the face of widespread tax evasion, and expensive lawyers are hired to defend citizens in court for public urination charges against their pets. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Northwest Highlands's national animal is the Elephant, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is Frederickism, and its currency is the Tonne.

Northwest Highlands is ranked 3,948th in the West Pacific and 92,743rd in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -24 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

Preview

NationStates by Max Barry, author of and