Location: NationStates

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Free Land of Souffrance is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its museums and concert halls. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 2.397 billion hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded individuals devotes most of its attentions to Education, with areas such as Religion & Spirituality and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. Income tax is unheard of. 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.

The "Underwear of Women in Power" issue of The Souffrance City Times is sold out, radio shows frequently feature people denouncing religion, private business has started paving paradises and putting up parking lots, and all beauty contests have been banned. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Souffrance's national animal is the Spotted Elk, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Douleur.

Souffrance is ranked 182nd in NationStates and 95,403rd in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -27 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

Preview

NationStates by Max Barry, author of and