The Grand Duchy of Istiniar is a gargantuan, efficient nation, renowned for its compulsory military service, ritual sacrifices, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 18.541 billion Istiniarians 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 large government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Law & Order, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Istiniar. The average income tax rate is 44.0%.

The all-consuming Istiniarian economy, worth a remarkable 1,286 trillion denars a year, is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Uranium Mining, Woodchip Exports, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 69,376 denars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.5 times as much as the poorest.

Criticism of Leader is considered unpatriotic, the lactose-intolerant are force-fed cheese products with predictably gassy results, urban entrepreneurs are busy introducing cockroaches into restaurant kitchens, and getting an autograph has become harder than ever. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Istiniar's national animal is the wolf, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Istiniar is ranked 314,856^th in the world and 43^rd in Lennart for Most Cultured, scoring 53 on the Snufflebottom-Wiggendum Pentatonic Scale.