The Democratic Republic of Ardensterra is a gargantuan, efficient nation, remarkable for its daily referendums, absence of drug laws, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, democratic population of 16.278 billion Ardensterrans enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.
The enormous government juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 85.4%, and even higher for the wealthy.
The frighteningly efficient Ardensterran economy, worth a remarkable 1,800 trillion Ardenis a year, is quite specialized and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Tourism, and Basket Weaving. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 110,614 Ardenis, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.
The law says it's okay to sell a bomb to a terrorist so long as they promise not to detonate it, street preachers spend more time condemning government bureaucracy than passers-by, the nation threatens sanctions on islands only visible at low tide, and a widely accepted trade policy is "tit-for-tat". Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ardensterra's national animal is the Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.
Ardensterra is ranked 286,837th in the world and 11,093rd in Balder for Most Corrupt Governments, with 0.49 kickbacks per hour.
National Happenings
Most Recent Government Activity:
- : Ardensterra was ranked in the Top 5% of the world for Highest Economic Output.
- : Ardensterra was ranked in the Top 5% of the world for Most Advanced Public Education, Highest Economic Output, Highest Foreign Aid Spending, Most Beautiful Environments, and Most Inclusive.
- : Ardensterra was ranked in the Top 10% of the world for Highest Poor Incomes.
- : Ardensterra was ranked in the Top 10% of the world for Most Income Equality.
- : Following new legislation in Ardensterra, a widely accepted trade policy is "tit-for-tat".
- : Following new legislation in Ardensterra, the nation threatens sanctions on islands only visible at low tide.
- : Following new legislation in Ardensterra, street preachers spend more time condemning government bureaucracy than passers-by.
- : Following new legislation in Ardensterra, the law says it's okay to sell a bomb to a terrorist so long as they promise not to detonate it.
- : Ardensterra was ranked in the Top 10% of the world for Most Valuable International Artwork.
- : Ardensterra's influence in Balder rose from "Nipper" to "Minnow".