The PASTRY EMPIRE of The Pastry Union is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by The Croissant Crusader with an even hand, and notable for its rum-swilling pirates, keen interest in outer space, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate population of 3.38 billion Pastrians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Environment, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Croissantia. The average income tax rate is 21.9%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Pastrian economy, worth 164 trillion Pastrycoins a year, is led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Book Publishing. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 48,738 Pastrycoins, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.2 times as much as the poorest.

Students are wary of colorfully decorated new teachers with names like Professor Pipsqueak, radio shows frequently feature people denouncing religion, Pastrian tourists are encouraged to hand out spare condoms to locals while on vacation, and parents giddily refuse to pay their toddlers' medical bills. Crime, especially youth-related, is almost non-existent. The Pastry Union's national animal is the Doughy Dog, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Pastryism.

The Pastry Union is ranked 177,758^th in the world and 6^th in One Collective Brain Cell for Highest Average Incomes, with 48,738.08 Standard Monetary Units.