Location: Maredoratica

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Republic of Ruccola is a gargantuan, economically powerful nation, ruled by President Marco di Castello with a fair hand, and renowned for its anti-smoking policies. Its compassionate, hard-working, intelligent population of 11.987 billion hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked morass -- juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Commerce, and Education. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Arugula. The average income tax rate is 16%. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Automobile Manufacturing industry.

Punitive tariffs protect local industry, inheritance tax has recently been abolished, Ruccola has designated Arugula as its capital city, and President Marco di Castello has just been declared ruler of Ruccola in an international press conference. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ruccola's national animal is the Royal Crane, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the amore.

Ruccola is ranked 34th in Maredoratica and 90,968th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -22 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

Preview

NationStates by Max Barry, author of and