Spotlight on:

“WWHDD...What Would His Dooziness Do?”

The Evil Conservative Empire of The Palentine is a gargantuan, economically powerful nation, ruled by Empress Jhessan Spaulding I with an even hand, and remarkable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 10.455 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

The medium-sized government is mainly concerned with Defence, although Law & Order and Commerce are secondary priorities. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of The Burgh. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Gambling industries.

A National Academy regulates grammar and usage, children as young as twelve are conscripted into the armed forces, major cities shut down as their local sports team takes to the field every day, and the government seizes private property for the 'good of the people'. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. The Palentine's national animal is the sphinxian treecat, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the greenback .

The Palentine is ranked 45th in the region and 51,806th in the world for Happiest Citizens.