Spotlight on:

“Live free or else!”

The Dominion of Targis is a huge, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Matthew XIV with a fair hand, and renowned for its museums and concert halls. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 781 million 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, Healthcare, and Defence. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Mattopia. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 85%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Book Publishing industry, followed by Tourism and Beef-Based Agriculture.

Political parties are banned from advertising and receiving private donations, Matthew XIV has just been declared ruler of Targis in an international press conference, a survey of the nation's rivers and children has shown that pesticide levels are at an all-time regional high, and school uniforms are compulsory. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Targis's national animal is the chimera, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Taurg.

Targis is ranked 69th in the region and 47,384th in the world for Highest Unemployment Rates.