The Federation of Hydranis is a tiny, socially progressive nation, notable for its state-planned economy, punitive income tax rates, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, democratic population of 8 million Hydranics love a good election, and the government gives them plenty of them. Universities tend to be full of students debating the merits of various civil and political rights, while businesses are tightly regulated and the wealthy viewed with suspicion.

The large, socially-minded, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Welfare, Education, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 61.4%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The basket case Hydranisian economy, worth 116 billion Akulats 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 led by the Trout Farming industry, with major contributions from Beef-Based Agriculture, Door-to-door Insurance Sales, and Woodchip Exports. Average income is 14,581 Akulats, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Hydranis's national animal is the Ocean Gelkatine, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Hydranis is ranked 51,435^th in the world and 57^th in The Union of Democratic States for Most Politically Free, scoring 78.67 on the Diebold Election Inking Scale.