Location: The North Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Empire of Scorpionida is a massive, economically powerful nation, notable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 2.189 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, pro-business government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Religion & Spirituality. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Scorpio. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 29%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, followed by Automobile Manufacturing and Information Technology.

Billions of Pounds are being blown on orbital weapons development, the nation's diplomatic missives are now delivered via sniper rifle, private business has started paving paradises and putting up parking lots, and the government has cut taxes in the face of widespread tax evasion. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is relatively low, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Scorpionida's national animal is the Scorpion, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is Eating, and its currency is the Pound.

Scorpionida is ranked 224th in The North Pacific and 7,806th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring 5 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and