Location: the South Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Imperium Sanctus of Zarkari is a massive, cultured nation, remarkable for its complete absence of social welfare. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 1.609 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, the Environment, and Law & Order. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Les Catacombes de Virycéon. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 53%. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Tourism industry.

The "Underwear of Women in Power" issue of The Les Catacombes de Virycéon Times is sold out, Zarkari has one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, citizens are barcoded to keep track of their movements, and nine out of ten citizens of Zarkari answered 'nuclear safety inspector' when asked their occupation. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Zarkari's national animal is the Kar'i, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is Praetoriani, and its currency is the T'zar Em Be.

Zarkari is ranked 4,658th in the South Pacific and 97,867th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -31 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

Preview

NationStates by Max Barry, author of and