Location: the Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Holy Empire of SniffnScratch is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Glorius Leader with an iron fist, and remarkable for its national health service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 1.801 billion are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it is effectively ruled by the Department of Defence, with areas such as Commerce and Public Transport receiving almost no funds by comparison. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of SniffnScratch City. The average income tax rate is 92%, and even higher for the wealthy. Private enterprise is illegal, but for those in the know there is a slick and highly efficient black market in Arms Manufacturing.

Strange looking men with big red noses are found hiding behind bushes and inside dustbins, notable individuals are granted land and titles, crooks and people with too many kids are being kicked out of the country, and terrified tympanists are finding themselves on the front lines armed only with kettledrums. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. SniffnScratch's national animal is the Wasp, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is a major religion, and its currency is the Krug.

SniffnScratch is ranked 3,791st in the Pacific and 89,577th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -21 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and