The Republic of Izern 17 is a massive, cultured nation, remarkable for its ban on automobiles, ubiquitous missile silos, and avowedly heterosexual populace. The cynical, devout population of 1.72 billion Izern 17ians are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 28.3%.

The strong Izern 17ian economy, worth 111 trillion pounds a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Woodchip Exports, Basket Weaving, and Information Technology. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 64,672 pounds, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.5 times as much as the poorest.

Amorous nobles always bring the same disappointing gift to weddings, human sacrifice to the metaphorical altar of Mammon ensures national prosperity, state media features lively debates such as whether pineapple on pizza is an acceptable topping, and children in school playgrounds can be heard chanting the hymns of the Order of Violet. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Izern 17's national animal is the squirrel, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Izern 17 is ranked 148,147^th in the world and 54^th in New Izern Farm Thingymabob for Largest Governments, scoring 13.23 on the Bureaucratic Comprehensiveness Rating Scale Index.