The Burnt World of Athas is a gargantuan, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Tithian of Mericles with an iron fist, and notable for its smutty television, keen interest in outer space, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-nosed, cynical, humorless population of 21.697 billion Athasians 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 medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government is primarily concerned with Defense, although Environment, Industry, and Education are also considered important, while Welfare and Social Policy receive no funds. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Tyr. The average income tax rate is 93.7%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Athasian economy, worth a remarkable 9,541 trillion gold pieces a year, is mostly comprised of black market activity, especially in Gambling, Arms Manufacturing, Retail, and Tourism. Average income is an amazing 439,780 gold pieces, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.9 times as much as the poorest.

Country folk are sent to obligatory boarding schools to learn how to be civilized, children often kick Thri-kreens for amusement, surveillance cameras are banned, and scientists earn more grant money for reproducing old experiments than trying anything new. Crime, especially youth-related, is so common that it is unusual to encounter someone following the law, with the police force struggling against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Athas's national animal is the Thri-kreen, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Psionics.

Athas is ranked 258,430^th in the world and 5^th in Athas for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring -66.63 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.