The Republic of Paradise and Zion is a huge, environmentally stunning nation, remarkable for its museums and concert halls, infamous sell-swords, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 814 million Paradiseans and Zionians 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 medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Paradisean City. The average income tax rate is 61.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Paradisean and Zionian economy, worth 92.8 trillion Nirvanas a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Trout Farming. Average income is an impressive 113,969 Nirvanas, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.0 times as much as the poorest.

The inside lane of every highway is for parked vehicles only, shady doctors seem to have impeccable records, people are arrested for looking too sternly at whales, and murderers facing life in prison listen to long sermons on positive thinking. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Paradise and Zion's national animal is the Kangaroo, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Paradise and Zion is ranked 243,546^th in the world and 11,894^th in The North Pacific for Fattest Citizens, with 7.44 Obesity Rate.