The Most Serene Republic of Columbiqash is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by President Maya Mayor with a fair hand, and remarkable for its museums and concert halls, smutty television, and keen interest in outer space. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 5.022 billion Vinisquishes enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The enormous, liberal, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Bluff Creek. The average income tax rate is 96.4%.

The frighteningly efficient Columbiqashian economy, worth 795 trillion footprints a year, is quite specialized and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 158,491 footprints, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Genetic research is temporarily tied up in government red tape, lifelong celibates are surprised to receive government-issue condoms in the post, national park visitors are reporting a rash of poison ivy sightings, and court cases mostly involve lawyers shouting questions at witnesses giving silent shrugs. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Columbiqash's national animal is the Bigfoot, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Columbiqash is ranked 2,799^th in the world and 38^th in Forest for Safest, scoring 141.06 on the Bubble-Rapp Safety Rating.