The Democratic Republic of Althne is a huge, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its daily referendums, free-roaming dinosaurs, and complete lack of prisons. The hard-nosed, devout population of 646 million Althneans 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 Administration, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Viore. The average income tax rate is 38.0%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The very strong Althnean economy, worth 52.9 trillion Atroes a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is broadly diversified, is dominated by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Woodchip Exports, Arms Manufacturing, and Information Technology. Average income is 81,880 Atroes, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The nation grinds to a halt for afternoon tea, replacement organs are grown in vats, party-lovers often change religions just for the weekend, and angst-filled teenagers are rushing off to buy government bonds for some odd reason. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Althne's national animal is the Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Althne is ranked 24,396^th in the world and 86^th in Starlight for Most Cultured, scoring 83 on the Snufflebottom-Wiggendum Pentatonic Scale.