The State of Black Bridge is a titanic, socially progressive nation, ruled by the Governor with an even hand, and remarkable for its burgeoning deer population. The hard-working population of 15.998 billion Black Bridgeans 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 relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Capital Heights. The average income tax rate is 18.2%.

The Black Bridgean economy, worth 709 trillion betales a year, is led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Gambling, Cheese Exports, and Basket Weaving. Average income is 44,328 betales, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.6 times as much as the poorest.

The latest Harry Potter book is a bestseller, the alarmingly racist TV show 'Bigtopians Say the Darndest Things' is a hit, Black Bridge has designated Capital Heights as its capital city, and The Governor has just been declared ruler of Black Bridge in an international press conference. Crime is relatively low, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Black Bridge's national animal is the deer.

Black Bridge is ranked 227,913^th in the world and 2^nd in Dublin for Highest Average Tax Rates, with 18.2 Effective Tax Rate.