Location: Europe

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Republic of Vidin is a huge, economically powerful nation, renowned for its complete lack of prisons. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 708 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked morass -- concentrates mainly on Social Welfare, although Commerce and Healthcare are on the agenda. The average income tax rate is 31%. A small but healthy private sector is led by the Cheese Exports industry, followed by Uranium Mining and Automobile Manufacturing.

Several citizens have complained about scientists abducting their pets for experimentation, the nanny industry has had a boom after maternity leave was recently banned, the country has unplugged its internet connection to prevent subversive content, and a crusade against barbaric religious practices has begun. Crime is relatively low, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Vidin's national animal is the Capercaillie, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Tëlem.

Vidin is ranked 141st in Europe and 37,731st in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -11 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and