The Kingdom of Astherwyn is a very large, environmentally stunning nation, renowned for its ban on automobiles, restrictive gun laws, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, democratic, devout population of 420 million Astherwynians love a good election, and the government gives them plenty of them. Universities tend to be full of students debating the merits of various civil and political rights, while businesses are tightly regulated and the wealthy viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Golden Bay. The average income tax rate is 31.6%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Astherwynian economy, worth 26.9 trillion Crowns a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Uranium Mining, and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 64,095 Crowns, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Giggling elementary school newspaper reporters want to know why Leader is a silly poophead, defense lawyers suggestively note to juries how flagrantly happy victims were, lending money has become a major liability, and weekly religious services often resemble campaign rallies. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Astherwyn's national animal is the Golden Griffin, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Astherwyn is ranked 287,135^th in the world and 3,944^th in The North Pacific for Largest Manufacturing Sector, scoring 1,820.81 on the Gooback-Jerbs Productivity Index.