Location: The North Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Republic of Valerik is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its absence of drug laws. Its compassionate, hard-working population of 1.974 billion enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, liberal government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Social Equality. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Valerik City. The average income tax rate is 73%, and even higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Tourism industry.

Major cities shut down as their local sports team takes to the field every day, the children of Valerik are often remarked upon for their cheery attitude to extreme violence, young children are regularly seen wagering pocket money at blackjack tables, and the government has declined to declare any particular religion as its 'official' one. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is moderate, probably because of the country's utter lack of prisons. Valerik's national animal is the Manbearpig, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Nestle.

Valerik is ranked 4,259th in The North Pacific and 92,476th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -23 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

Preview

NationStates by Max Barry, author of and