The Republic of Irtysh is a massive, genial nation, ruled by Kira Svetlykh with a fair hand, and renowned for its museums and concert halls, infamous sell-swords, and keen interest in outer space. The compassionate, democratic population of 1.776 billion Irtyshians are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whomever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

The large, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Omsk. The average income tax rate is 66.3%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Irtyshian economy, worth 152 trillion altyns a year, is quite specialized and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Pizza Delivery. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 85,686 altyns, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Minority children spend hours bussing to schools miles away from home, populations of two-headed sterlets have been found around recently-uncovered archaeological sites, mantis shrimp studies is academia's fastest-growing field, and too many developers spoil the codebase. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Irtysh's national animal is the sterlet, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Secularism.

Irtysh is ranked 73,299^th in the world and 7^th in Siberia for Highest Average Incomes, with 85,686.08 Standard Monetary Units.