The Spectacular Sassafras Trees of Ruinenlust is a colossal, genial nation, ruled by Rex Silvae with a fair hand, and notable for its keen interest in outer space, multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, and free-roaming dinosaurs. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic, cheerful population of 6.983 billion Lusters hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The tiny, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Environment, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Dendropolis. The average income tax rate is 31.2%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ruinenlustian economy, worth a remarkable 1,281 trillion Runes a year, is quite specialized and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Retail. Average income is an impressive 183,574 Runes, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The new Refuse Hills housing development is under construction, blind students are at a disadvantage now that test papers printed in braille have been discontinued, counselors have to sign pledges supporting gay rights before they can speak to any patients, and towns that stop turning a profit are turned into animal sanctuaries. Crime, especially youth-related, is pervasive, perhaps because of the country's complete lack of prisons. Ruinenlust's national animal is the Mountain Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ruinenlust is ranked 655^th in the world and 6^th in Forest for Largest Publishing Industry, scoring 39,609.09 on the Bella Potter Productivity e-Index.