Location: Absolution

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Military Islands of Riecham is a colossal, economically powerful nation, ruled by Ryhan Crusoe with an even hand, and renowned for its anti-smoking policies. Its compassionate, hard-working, intelligent population of 6.309 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.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Law & Order, and the Environment. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Caledonia. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 84%. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

Riecham has one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, government officials have to mortgage their homes to make ends meet, child labor has been outlawed, and CDs are regularly copy-protected. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Riecham's national animal is the Riecham Rockland Stag, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Rylad.

Riecham is ranked 351st in Absolution and 99,476th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -37 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and