The Republic of Ardacia is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Lourdes with a fair hand, and remarkable for its parental licensing program, complete lack of prisons, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, democratic population of 3.042 billion Ardacians enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Welfare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Onirique. The average income tax rate is 43.0%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Ardacian economy, worth 354 trillion kronor a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Trout Farming, and Basket Weaving. Average income is an impressive 116,484 kronor, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Lourdes's campaign events reach their climax when the celebrity endorsers reveal themselves, the optimally efficient parking strategy for business commuters is referred to as the "traveling salesman problem", Lourdes's reputation is hard as nails, and high school boys are required to pass vigorous self-mastery and sensitivity training to graduate. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Ardacia's national animal is the Siamese Cat, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ardacia is ranked 12,466^th in the world and 2^nd in The Cascade for Highest Food Quality, scoring 146.58 on the Meeshlin-Starr Index.