The Imperial Republic of Albasaary is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Emperor James I with an even hand, and renowned for its compulsory military service, state-planned economy, and soft-spoken computers. The hard-nosed, devout population of 1.077 billion Saarians 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 Administration, Education, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Brembourg. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 15.7%.

The very strong Albasaaryian economy, worth 91.7 trillion Ruels a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, broadly diversified black market in Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, Gambling, and Book Publishing. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is 85,100 Ruels, with the richest citizens earning 5.5 times as much as the poorest.

The consent form for routine blood pressure measurement has been nominated for the 'Novel Of The Year' award, declaring that "some kids are just born evil" is not endearing Emperor James I to progressive thinkers, Albasaaryian police have to pay out of their own pockets for bulletproof vests, and cities are engulfed by smog. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Albasaary's national animal is the Pigeon, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Saarist Lutheran Division.

Albasaary is ranked 108,429^th in the world and 5,524^th in Balder for Largest Black Market, with 2.19 trillion Standard Monetary Units.