The Republic of -Astoria is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Prime Minister Robert Paisley with a fair hand, and notable for its museums and concert halls, keen interest in outer space, and punitive income tax rates. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 4.467 billion Astorians hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The enormous, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Environment. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Footscray. The average income tax rate is 72.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Astorian economy, worth 324 trillion Astorian dollars a year, is quite specialized and mostly made up of the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Trout Farming, Basket Weaving, and Woodchip Exports. Average income is 72,642 Astorian dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Census workers struggle to account for the rapidly increasing number of citizens to tabulate, third party candidates are now gaining some representation in Parliament, the government is spending millions on renovating the public transportation system, and Super Barry Brothers is the most popular video game in the nation. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. -Astoria's national animal is the opossum, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

-Astoria is ranked 12,405^th in the world and 39^th in International Democratic Union for Most Beautiful Environments, with 1,430.57 Pounds Of Wildlife Per Square Mile.