The Republic of Baring is a massive, safe nation, remarkable for its national health service, keen interest in outer space, and state-planned economy. The cynical, humorless, devout population of 1.106 billion Baringians are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The large, corrupt, socially-minded, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Education. The average income tax rate is 66.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Baringian economy, worth 110 trillion Ducats a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is fairly diversified, is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Woodchip Exports, and Furniture Restoration. Average income is 99,927 Ducats, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Scenic beaches are now protected by massive concrete walls, public footpaths are being slowly eroded by the burgeoning number of ramblers, citizens are encouraged to report friends, family members or co-workers who seem depressed to the government for "counselling", and troop transports blacken the sky as the military commences Operation Desert Ocean. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Baring's national animal is the Bear, which can occasionally be seen sifting through garbage in the nation's cities.

Baring is ranked 64,793^rd in the world and 332^nd in Novaya Zemlya for Highest Average Incomes, with 99,927.97 Standard Monetary Units.