The New Order of Iston is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by Governor Esovi with an iron fist, and notable for its teetotalling pirates, anti-smoking policies, and smutty television. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, humorless, devout population of 3.942 billion Istonians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government prioritizes Defense, with Industry, Law & Order, and Education also on the agenda, while Environment and Welfare receive no funds. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Litavya. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 66.4%.

The frighteningly efficient Istonian economy, worth a remarkable 1,074 trillion Credits a year, is broadly diversified and mostly comprised of black market activity, especially in Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, Uranium Mining, and Retail. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an amazing 272,700 Credits, but there is a large disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 1,238,255 per year while the poor average 36,782, a ratio of 33.7 to 1.

Those on cloud nine have been relocated to cloud negative six, sushi just hasn't been the same since salmon went extinct overnight, the clergy of The Order of the Lost Star remains a single-sex institution, and merchant ships always travel line astern in Istonian waters. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Iston's national animal is the Ursa Major, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is The Order of the Lost Star.

Iston is ranked 310,262^nd in the world and 363^rd in Christians for Nicest Citizens, with 0.19 average smiles per day.