Location: Texas

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Holy Empire of Richard I is a gargantuan, economically powerful nation, ruled by Pharaoh with an iron fist, and remarkable for its anti-smoking policies. Its compassionate, hard-working, cynical population of 18.175 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.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded individuals 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 Richard I City. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry.

Space research funding has hit a recent high while several military bases are being closed down, shaken martini sales have soared in nations surrounding Richard I, the number of students attending university has reached a record high, and students cut up leftover Platinum Dollars during Arts and Crafts. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Richard I's national animal is the Hell Cat, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is under construction, and its currency is the Platinum Dollar.

Richard I is ranked 98th in Texas and 44,759th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -12 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and