The Republic of Niast is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Azning Orzikov with an iron fist, and renowned for its digital currency, prohibition of alcohol, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, cynical population of 1.316 billion Niastians 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 enormous, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Defense, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Hrvedon. The average income tax rate is 67.2%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The Niastian economy, worth 60.5 trillion Marks a year, is quite specialized and led by the Uranium Mining industry, with major contributions from Woodchip Exports, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 46,010 Marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.3 times as much as the poorest.

The government has officially clarified that "wee on your hands to save time" does not count as proper hygiene, orthopaedics patients often have a bounce in their step, extreme political groups are outlawed, and 50% of adverts on children's television are for clothes made of cotton wool. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Niast's national animal is the Kite, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Niast is ranked 135,194^th in the world and 2,247^th in The North Pacific for Most Developed, scoring 56.93 on the Human Development Index.