Spotlight on:

“Pro Deo, Pro Patria, Pro Populus”

The Republic of Ruccola is a colossal, safe nation, ruled by President Marco di Castello with a fair hand, and renowned for its museums and concert halls. Its compassionate, hard-working, intelligent population of 7.212 billion enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, corrupt morass -- juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Commerce, and Education. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Arugula. The average income tax rate is 8%. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Automobile Manufacturing industry.

Punitive tariffs protect local industry, inheritance tax has recently been abolished, Ruccola has designated Arugula as its capital city, and President Marco di Castello has just been declared ruler of Ruccola in an international press conference. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ruccola's national animal is the Royal Crane, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the amore.

Ruccola is ranked 25th in the region and 47,776th in the world for Most Godforsaken.