Location: Europe

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Federal Republic of Octinstine is a massive, economically powerful nation, ruled by The Great killer Penguin in the sky with an iron fist, and renowned for its unlimited-speed roads. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 3.488 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.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it concentrates mainly on Defence, although Law & Order and Education are secondary priorities. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Asklan City. The average income tax rate is 73%, and even higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Uranium Mining industries.

Jails have become colloquially known as 'vampire houses', senior citizens are often found slaving away in factories, government-run brothels can be found on every street corner, and Panther s are becoming popular in pet stores nationwide. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Octinstine's national animal is the Panther , which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is Penguin worship, and its currency is the quango.

Octinstine is ranked 51st in Europe and 6,155th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring 11 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and